How to say "ashes" in Japanese

• 灰はいJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers ashes in the general sense: the grey powder left after something burns, such as a fire, incense, or tobacco. This is the default word for ashes of things.
  すべては燃もえて灰はいとなった。↗

  Everything was burnt to ashes.
• 遺骨いこつCommon
  nounRefers to the ashes and bones left after a person is cremated. Use this for human remains kept in an urn or at a grave, not for ashes from a fire.
  彼かれの遺骨いこつはここに埋うめられている。↗

  His ashes are buried here.

Use 灰 for ashes in general, such as from fire or cigarettes, and 遺骨 when referring specifically to the cremated remains of a deceased person.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 灰はいash
• 遺骨いこつcremated remains (esp. the bones)
• 遺灰いはいashes (of the deceased)
• 灰殻はいがらashes
• お骨おこつcremated remains (esp. the bones)
• こつcremated remains (esp. the bones)
• 焼骨しょうこつashes (of a cremated person)