Translation and Meaning of: 火 - hi

The Japanese word 「火」, read as "hi", is a kanji that means "fire". This word is fundamental in Japanese vocabulary, both in the literal and figurative sense. In the literal domain, 「火」 refers to the natural element of fire, while in figurative use, it can represent warmth, passion, or even disasters, as in "火事" (kaji), which means fire disaster.

The etymology of the kanji 「火」 is quite interesting, originating from a pictorial image that represents flames. The radical of the kanji is also 「火」, and it is one of the basic radicals used to form other ideograms related to heat and combustion. Examples of these kanjis include 「焼」 (shou, which means to burn) and 「炭」 (sumi, which means charcoal), both sharing the fire radical.

The word 「火」 continues to be a central component in various expressions and kanji combinations in Japanese vocabulary. In addition to its role in writing and expressions, the concept of fire has always held a deep meaning in Japanese culture, symbolizing purification and renewal in traditional ceremonies and festivals. The omnipresence of fire in religious ceremonies, such as the Gozan no Okuribi festival in Kyoto, highlights how 「火」 transcends linguistic use, touching on cultural and spiritual elements. Therefore, understanding the kanji 「火」 is essential not only for the language but also for a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and practices.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 炎 (en) - Flame (usually used to refer to an intense flame)
• 焔 (honō) - Call (a little more poetic or literary)
• 焰 (en) - Flame (can be used to describe fire in a more stylized form)
• 火炎 (kaen) - Flame (refers to a flame, often with a scientific meaning)
• 火焔 (kaen) - Fire flame (similar to 火炎, but with a more literary nuance)
• 火焰 (kaen) - Fire flame (similar use to 火炎 and 火焔)
• 火の粉 (hi no ko) - Fire dust (particles or sparks that come from the fire)
• 火花 (hibana) - Spark (a small particle that comes off the fire)
• 火柱 (hibashira) - Column of fire (an eruption or flame that rises in the form of a column)
• 火舌 (hi no to) - Flame tongue (part of the flame that moves in a shape resembling a tongue)
• 火の手 (hi no te) - Flames (refers to the active part of the fire)
• 火の玉 (hi no tama) - Fire sphere (usually referred to as a fireball or spirit)
• 火の輪 (hi no wa) - Ring of fire (a circular shape of flames)
• 火の鳥 (hi no tori) - Firebird (can refer to a mythical or symbolic creature)
• 火の鼠 (hi no nezumi) - Fire rat (a fictional and mystical concept, usually referring to a creature associated with fire)
• 火の車 (hi no kuruma) - Fire cart (also a more fictional concept, similar to a cart or fire vehicle)
• 火の海 (hi no umi) - Sea of fire (a powerful image of a great fire or hell)
• 火の山 (hi no yama) - Mountain of fire (usually refers to a volcano or a mountain with fire activity)

火

Romaji: hi
Kana: ひ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: fire; flame; Blaze

Meaning in English: fire;flame;blaze

Definition: Substance that produces light and heat when burned.

Example Sentences - (火) hi

See below some example sentences:

防火は大切です。

Bouka wa taisetsu desu

Fire prevention is important.

Fire protection is important.

• 防火 (bouka) - Fire prevention
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

石炭は火力発電所で使われる重要なエネルギー源です。

Ishitan wa karyoku hatsudensho de tsukawareru juuyou na enerugii gen desu

Coal is an important source of energy used in thermal power plants.

Coal is an important source of energy used in thermal power plants.

• 石炭 (sekitan) - carvão
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 火力発電所 (karyoku hatsudensho) - power plant
• で (de) - Location particle
• 使われる (tsukawareru) - to be used
• 重要な (juuyouna) - important
• エネルギー源 (enerugii gen) - energy source
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

火花が散る。

Hibana ga chiru

Sparks fly.

Sparks dispersion.

• 火花 - It means "spark" in Japanese.
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 散る - It means "spread" or "disperse" in Japanese.

噴火が起こった。

Funka ga okotta

Uma erupção vulcânica ocorreu.

A erupção ocorreu.

• 噴火 - erupção vulcânica
• が - subject particle
• 起こった - ocorreu

定休日は毎週火曜日です。

Teikyūbi wa maishū kayōbi desu

The regular holiday is every Tuesday.

• 定休日 - fixed day off
• は - Topic particle
• 毎週 - Every week
• 火曜日 - Tuesday
• です - Is (verb to be in the present tense)

摩擦が起こると火花が飛び散る。

Masatsu ga okoru to hibana ga tobi chiru

when friction occurs

When friction occurs, sparks sputter.

• 摩擦 (māsatsu) - atrito
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 起こる (okoru) - to happen, to occur
• と (to) - conditional conjunction
• 火花 (hibana) - faísca
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 飛び散る (tobichiru) - spread, disperse

溶岩が噴火した。

Yōgan ga funka shita

O lava entrou em erupção.

A lava entrou em erupção.

• 溶岩 - Lava
• が - Subject particle
• 噴火 - Erupção vulcânica
• した - Passado do verbo "fazer"

火山はとても危険です。

Kazan wa totemo kiken desu

The volcano is very dangerous.

• 火山 (kazan) - volcano
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 危険 (kiken) - dangerous
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

火口から煙が立ち上がっている。

Kakou kara kemuri ga tachiagatte iru

Smoke is leaving the crater.

The smoke is standing from the crater.

• 火口 (kakou) - volcano eruption
• から (kara) - from, starting at
• 煙 (kemuri) - smoke
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 立ち上がっている (tachiagatteiru) - It's rising, it's rising

火燵で温まりたいです。

Kotatsu de atatamaritai desu

I want to warm up at Kotatsu.

I want to warm up in the flower.

• 火燵 (kotatsu) - a heated table with a blanket on top, common in Japan
• で (de) - particle indicating the place where something is happening
• 温まりたい (atatamaritai) - want to get warm, stay warm
• です (desu) - polite way to end a sentence