Translation guide
The English verb 'scorch' refers to burning the surface of something, often leaving a mark, or to drying out with intense heat. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for these meanings.
To lightly burn or singe the surface of something, often leaving a brown or black mark.
Transitive verb meaning to scorch, burn, or singe something. Commonly used for food, fabric, etc.
I scorched my shirt with the iron.
He carelessly scorched the toast.
Intransitive verb meaning to become scorched or burnt. Use when the subject itself gets scorched.
I smell something scorching (like fish burning).
Intransitive verb meaning to be scorched or charred, often by fire. Stronger than 焦げる.
The wall was scorched by the fire.
General verb for grilling, baking, or burning. Can imply scorching in context, but less specific.
I grilled it over high heat and the surface got scorched.
To dry or wither something with intense heat, like the sun scorching plants.
Transitive verb meaning to let plants wither or die, often from heat or lack of water.
The drought continued and scorched the garden flowers.
Intransitive verb meaning to wither or die (of plants).
Intransitive verb meaning to be scorching hot, often used for the sun or ground.
To move at high speed, as in 'scorch along the road'.
To criticize someone severely.
English 'scorch' for sun damage is often better expressed with 枯れる (wither) or 日焼けする (sunburn) rather than direct burn verbs.
焦がす is transitive (someone scorches something), while 焦げる is intransitive (something gets scorched). Use the correct one based on the subject.
The sun scorched the grass.
Natural Japanese uses 'wither' rather than a direct burn verb.
I scorched the pan.
The lawn was scorched by the heat.
焼け付くような日差しで作物がやられた。
The scorching sun damaged the crops.
He scorched along the highway.
The boss scorched his proposal.