How to say "bonfire" in Japanese

• 焚き火たきびJLPT N1approx.
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe word for an ordinary open-air fire — burning garden refuse or leaves outdoors — and for a campfire; for most everyday senses of 'bonfire' this is the word you want.
  僕ぼくたちはたき火びの周まわりを踊おどって回まわった。↗

  We danced about the fire.
• 大かがり火おおかがりび
  nounA large bonfire, the element 大 indicating a big blaze. Use it when the fire is a sizeable outdoor blaze rather than a small open-air fire for burning garden refuse.
• かがり火かがりび
  nounA fire built in an iron basket — a watch fire, fishing fire or the like — and by extension a bonfire or campfire. The image is of flames rising from a basket.
• かがり
  nounA short form of かがり火, and usually written in kana alone. On its own it is seldom the word you want for 'bonfire'; use the full form かがり火 instead.
• 炬火きょか
  nounA rare word for a bonfire. In ordinary use you will seldom want it: 焚き火, かがり火 or 大かがり火 covers the senses of 'bonfire' far more naturally.

Use 「焚き火」 for an ordinary open-air fire such as burning garden refuse or a campfire; 「かがり火」 for a fire in an iron basket, 「大かがり火」 for a large blaze, and treat 「かがり」 and 炬火 as rare.

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

• 焚き火たきびopen-air fire (e.g. for garden refuse)
• 大かがり火おおかがりびbonfire
• かがり火かがりびfire built in an iron basket (watch fire, fishing fire, etc.)
• かがりbonfire
• 炬火きょかbonfire