How to say "burning" in Japanese

• 燃焼ねんしょうJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers the literal, physical sense: combustion, as of fuel in an engine. Use it when burning is a chemical process, not a feeling.
  この種しゅの汚染おせん物質ぶっしつは主ぬしとして自動車じどうしゃエンジンの燃焼ねんしょうから生うまれる。↗

  Pollutants like this derive mainly from the combustion of fuel in car engines.
• 暑いあついJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveAn adjective for the figurative sense: a burning desire or an impassioned, passionate feeling. It describes emotion rather than actual fire.
• 灼熱しゃくねつCommon
  no-adjective, suru verb, intransitive verbFigurative and intense: burning love, ardent feeling, or a passionate debate. The image is scorching heat, suiting fervent, white-hot emotion.
• 火中かちゅうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbRefers to burning something — throwing it into the fire, committing it to the flames. It is not the word for fire simply burning, and seldom what you want for plain 'burning'.

Choose 燃焼 for literal combustion, 「暑い」 for a burning desire or impassioned feeling, 灼熱 for ardent love or a passionate debate, and 火中 for the act of throwing something into the flames.

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

• 燃焼ねんしょうburning
• バーニングburning
• 鬱勃うつぼつpent-up (energy, enthusiasm, etc.)
• 烈火のごとくれっかのごとく(being angry) like a blazing fire
• 暑いあついpassionate
• 灼熱しゃくねつburning (love)
• 火中かちゅうburning (something)
• じりっwith a sizzle