Translation guide
The activity of extinguishing fires or the profession of doing so. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific nouns and verbs depending on whether you refer to the profession, the act, or the organization.
Referring to fire fighting as a job or general activity.
The most common term for fire fighting as an activity or field. Often used in compounds.
彼は消防の仕事をしています。
He works in fire fighting.
Specifically refers to fire fighting operations or activities, often used in news reports.
消防活動は夜通し続いた。
Fire fighting operations continued all night.
Emphasizes the act of extinguishing fires. Slightly more technical.
消火活動にあたった消防士たち。
Firefighters engaged in fire fighting.
Describing the action of putting out a fire.
The general noun for extinguishing a fire. Used in compounds like 消火器 (fire extinguisher).
消火には数時間かかった。
Fire fighting took several hours.
A more colloquial verb phrase meaning 'to put out a fire'. Not used for the profession.
消防士が火を消した。
The firefighters put out the fire.
Referring to the fire department or fire service.
The fire station or fire department as an organization.
消防署に電話してください。
Please call the fire department.
A fire brigade or company, often used for the team that responds.
消防 (shōbō) is broader, covering fire prevention and fire fighting as a system. 消火 (shōka) specifically means extinguishing a fire. Use 消防 for the profession or department, and 消火 for the act of putting out flames.
The fire fighting team arrived quickly.