How to say "lava" in Japanese

• 溶岩ようがんJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe word for lava itself: the molten rock that flows from a volcano. This is the common word, and the choice for ordinary contexts from eruption reports to descriptions of volcanic terrain.
  その火山かざんは溶岩ようがんを流し出ながしだした。↗

  The volcano poured molten rock.
• ラバ
  nounNot a word for lava at all: this is the Japanese word for the mule, the hybrid of horse and donkey. For molten volcanic rock, 溶岩 is the word you want.
• ラーバ
  nounAlso not a word for lava: this katakana spelling corresponds to other loanwords, such as 'larva'. It is not a way to say 'lava' in Japanese; use 溶岩 for molten volcanic rock.

For lava — the molten rock of volcanic eruptions — 溶岩 is the word, while 「ラバ」 (mule) and 「ラーバ」 (larva) are entirely different words that should not be used to mean 'lava'.

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

• 溶岩ようがんlava
• ラバlava
• ラーバlava