Translation guide
The English verb "extinguish" covers putting out fires, lights, and abstract things like hope. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being extinguished, and often prefers compound verbs or transitive/intransitive pairs.
To stop a fire, flame, or something burning.
General verb for extinguishing fire, lights, or turning off appliances. Transitive.
Please extinguish the fire.
ろうそくの火を消した。
I blew out the candle.
To extinguish a fire before it spreads; often used for fires that are already burning. Transitive.
消防士が火事を消し止めた。
The firefighters extinguished the fire.
Formal term for extinguishing a fire, often used in news reports. Intransitive counterpart is 鎮火する (same form, context-dependent).
火災はまもなく鎮火した。
The fire was soon extinguished.
To stop a light source or electrical appliance.
To end or destroy something non-physical like hope, life, or a feeling.
Can be used metaphorically for erasing or extinguishing abstract things. Transitive.
希望を消さないで。
Don't extinguish my hope.
To cut off, sever; used for life, breath, or supply. Transitive.
命を絶つ
to extinguish a life (to kill)
To deny, negate, or extinguish (rumors, feelings). Transitive.
To cancel or wipe out a debt or legal obligation.
While 消す can mean 'to erase' or 'to turn off', using it for people (e.g., 'to extinguish someone') is slang for 'to kill' and is very rough. Avoid unless you intend that meaning.
消す is transitive (to extinguish something), while 消える is intransitive (to go out, to disappear). For example, 火が消えた (the fire went out) vs. 火を消した (I put out the fire).
その噂を打ち消した。
They extinguished the rumor.