Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Burn" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "burn", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
燃やす
もやす (moyasu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
焦げる
こげる (kogeru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "burn" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 燃やす and 焦げる.
In Japanese, 燃やす (もやす (moyasu)) is typically associated with "to burn (something), to set fire to" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 他のものを火で焼く、または燃える状態にすることを意味します。主に他動詞として使われます。.
On the other hand, 焦げる (こげる (kogeru)) maps to "to burn; to be burned; to get burnt" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to food or other things becoming burnt or scorched. It's an intransitive verb.. A literal translation of "burn" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "燃やす"
ゴミを燃やすと、煙がたくさん出ます。
When you burn garbage, a lot of smoke comes out.
Bilingual Context for "焦げる"
パンが焦げてしまった。
The bread got burnt.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "ゴミを ＿＿＿ と、煙がたくさん出ます。" (Meaning: "When you burn garbage, a lot of smoke comes out.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "燃やす" fits here because it means "to burn (something), to set fire to" in the context of: "When you burn garbage, a lot of smoke comes out.". "焦げる" represents "to burn; to be burned; to get burnt".