How to say "ignite" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- godan verb, intransitive verbThe common, everyday intransitive verb: a lamp, burner or match lights, or something catches fire and starts burning, with no agent mentioned. This is what you want for 'the fire won't ignite'.
- 火をつけるひをつけるexpression, ichidan verbThe transitive counterpart: a person lights a fire or sets fire to something. When you need to say that someone ignites something, this is the usual verb to reach for.
- 燃えつくもえつくgodan verb, intransitive verbAlso intransitive: something catches fire and begins to burn. It is less common, however, and つく is usually the safer intransitive choice when you mean that something ignites.
- 火がつくひがつくexpression, godan verbAn intransitive expression, literally 'fire catches': a match lights, a fire starts, something is ignited. It largely overlaps with つく, which is the more common everyday word for these situations.
- 火を掛けるひをかけるexpression, ichidan verbGlossed 'to set on fire; to ignite', but less common and seldom the word you actually want; to say that someone ignites or sets fire to something, use transitive 火をつける.
For something catching fire or a flame lighting, use intransitive 「つく」 (「火がつく」 is a close rival); for someone lighting or setting fire to something, use transitive 「火をつける」; 「燃えつく」 and 「火を掛ける」 are less common options.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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