Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'tinder' (material for starting fires) is expressed with specific words depending on the type and use. The most common and recommended word is 火口 (ほくち), which refers to tinder in general, especially in traditional fire-starting contexts. Other terms exist for specific materials or modern uses.
The most common way to refer to tinder, especially in the context of traditional fire-making methods like flint and steel.
This is the standard word for tinder. It refers to any easily ignitable material used to catch a spark, such as charred cloth, dried grass, or bark fibers.
火口に火花を落として火をつける。
Drop a spark onto the tinder to start a fire.
Literally 'fire-lighting', this can refer to tinder or kindling, but is less specific than 火口. Often used in compound words or phrases.
火付け用の麻ひもを用意する。
Prepare hemp string for tinder.
This usually means kindling (small sticks), but can sometimes refer to tinder in a broader sense. It's more about the initial fuel after the tinder catches.
焚き付けに杉の葉を使う。
Use cedar leaves as tinder/kindling.
Specifically for charred cloth, a common traditional tinder material.
Literally 'tinder cloth', this refers to charred cotton or linen cloth used as tinder. It's a subset of 火口.
火口布を作るには、綿布を蒸し焼きにする。
To make charred cloth tinder, you char cotton cloth in a low-oxygen environment.
For modern commercial or natural tinder used in camping, bushcraft, or survival situations.
This means 'fire starter' or 'ignition agent' and is commonly used for commercial fire-starting products like waxed cubes, gel, or compressed sawdust.
キャンプ用の着火剤を買う。
Buy fire starter for camping.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'materials for starting a fire'. It can encompass tinder, kindling, and fire starters.
火起こしの材料として、乾いた草や樹皮を集める。
Gather dry grass and bark as tinder for starting a fire.
Specifically for the tinder fungus (Fomes fomentarius) or similar bracket fungi used as tinder.
Literally 'tinder mushroom', this refers to the hoof fungus or tinder fungus traditionally used as tinder. It's a specific natural material.
火口茸を乾燥させて火口にする。
Dry the tinder fungus to use as tinder.
The English word 'Tinder' is also a brand name for a dating app. In Japanese, the app is referred to as ティンダー (Tindā), written in katakana. This guide only covers the fire-starting material.