Translation guide
How to express 'start a fire' in Japanese, covering lighting fires for warmth/cooking, starting a campfire, and figurative uses like sparking conflict.
To ignite a fire intentionally, such as in a fireplace, stove, or for cooking.
The most common and general way to say 'light a fire' or 'set fire to something'. Used for candles, stoves, fireplaces, etc.
I lit a fire in the fireplace.
Please light the gas stove.
Specifically means 'to build a fire' or 'to start a fire from scratch', often used for campfires or traditional cooking fires. Implies the process of getting the fire going.
Starting a fire while camping is fun.
A formal or technical term for 'ignite' or 'light'. Used in instructions, manuals, or formal contexts.
Please check safety before igniting the engine.
To build and light a fire outdoors, such as a campfire or bonfire.
The standard way to say 'have a bonfire' or 'make a campfire'. It implies the whole activity of building and enjoying the fire.
We had a bonfire on the beach at night.
Loanword from English, specifically for a campfire activity, often in organized settings.
Let's have a campfire tonight.
To be the cause of a fire starting, often with negative connotations (arson, accident).
To cause something to begin, like a conflict, debate, or strong emotion.
火をつける (hi o tsukeru) is for lighting an existing fuel source (like a candle or gas stove) with a flame. 火を起こす (hi o okosu) is for building a fire from scratch, like with kindling and logs. Use 火をつける for everyday actions like lighting a cigarette or stove, and 火を起こす for campfires or traditional cooking fires.
I lit the cigarette with a lighter.
He gathered firewood and started a fire.
The English phrase 'start a fire' can also mean 'to begin a career as a firefighter', but this is not covered here. In Japanese, that would be 消防士になる (shouboushi ni naru).
He was arrested on suspicion of arson.
That remark sowed the seeds of controversy.