also: たきぎ
firewood; split logs for fuel
Only when written 薪 · Only with reading まき
Usually read まき and written 薪. Refers especially to pieces of wood chopped or split from logs for use as fuel, such as in a stove, fireplace, or campfire.
We stacked firewood in preparation for winter.
I added firewood to the fireplace.
I put firewood into the fireplace.
kindling; twigs or branches for burning; firewood
Only when written 焚き木 / たき木 / 薪 · Only with reading たきぎ
Read たきぎ. Often refers to small wood such as twigs, branches, or gathered wood used to start or feed a fire; it can overlap with general firewood but contrasts with 薪・まき as split logs.
We gathered kindling and started a fire.
The kindling was damp from the rain.
My father splits firewood every morning.
We burned firewood at the campsite to keep warm.
The children gathered kindling in the forest.
薪 refers only to firewood, whereas 薪炭 covers both firewood and charcoal together as fuel.
薪 refers to firewood in general, usually larger split logs, while 榾 specifically denotes small chips or shavings used just for starting a fire.
Common standard spelling and reading for split firewood or firewood logs.
Attested alternate reading; without furigana, 薪 is much more likely to be read まき.
Kana-mixed variant of 焚き木; useful for recognition, though less formal-looking than 焚き木.
Clear spelling for たきぎ, especially when referring to kindling or wood gathered for burning.
まき is a native Japanese reading with uncertain historical derivation; 薪 is the conventional kanji for firewood. 焚き木 is a transparent compound spelling from 焚き, related to burning, plus 木, wood.