How to say "inferno" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- nounThe katakana borrowing of 'inferno', covering both its senses — a vast, raging fire and hell itself. A less common choice, it keeps the English flavor and suits a hellish blaze or scene of destruction.
- 焦熱地獄しょうねつじごくnounA four-character compound literally meaning 'burning hell' — a Buddhist term for a hell of scorching heat. A less common choice, it suits descriptions of hell and hellfire rather than an actual blaze.
For 'inferno', 「インフェルノ」 is the katakana borrowing that covers both a huge fire and hell itself, while 焦熱地獄 is a four-character compound for hell as a realm of burning flame; both are less common choices.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
