Translation guide
A furnace is a device used for heating, often to high temperatures, in homes or industrial settings. Japanese distinguishes between home heating furnaces, industrial/metalworking furnaces, and metaphorical uses.
A device that heats air and distributes it through ducts in a house or building.
General term for a heating furnace, commonly used for central heating systems.
暖房炉のフィルターを交換する必要があります。
You need to replace the furnace filter.
Can refer to a furnace or heater, but is broad and often used in compound words. In context, it can mean a home furnace.
地下室に炉があります。
There is a furnace in the basement.
Loanword from English, used in technical or product contexts, but not common in everyday speech.
このファーネスは高効率です。
This furnace is high-efficiency.
A high-temperature enclosed structure for melting metals, firing ceramics, or industrial processes.
The standard term for industrial furnaces, kilns, or ovens. Often used in compounds like 溶鉱炉 (blast furnace).
鉄を溶かすために炉を使います。
They use a furnace to melt iron.
Specifically a blast furnace for smelting iron.
A firing furnace or kiln, used for ceramics or heat treatment.
陶器は焼成炉で焼かれます。
Pottery is fired in a kiln.
Used figuratively to describe a very hot environment or a severe test.
Literally 'scorching hell', used to describe an unbearably hot place, like a furnace.
この部屋はまるで灼熱地獄だ。
This room is like a furnace.
Literally 'in the fire', can metaphorically mean a furnace-like situation.
彼は試練の火の中にいる。
He is in the furnace of affliction.
The English word 'furnace' is not used for a kitchen oven. For a cooking oven, use オーブン (ōbun). 炉 (ro) can sometimes refer to a traditional Japanese hearth or a kiln, so context is important.
溶鉱炉の温度は非常に高いです。
The temperature of the blast furnace is extremely high.