Translation guide
The English verb 'smolder' describes a slow, smokeless burning, or metaphorically, intense suppressed emotion. This guide covers both literal and figurative uses.
To burn slowly with smoke but no flames, often after the fire has died down.
The most common and natural verb for smoldering, used for fires, embers, or anything burning slowly without flames.
To feel a strong emotion, especially anger or passion, without openly showing it.
To exist in a suppressed or inactive state, but likely to become active again (e.g., conflict, disease).
Both mean 'smolder', but くすぶる is more common and covers literal and figurative uses. いぶる is more specific to producing smoke and is often used in dialects or for smoking food.
蚊やりがいぶっている。
The mosquito coil is smoldering (producing smoke).
While 'smolder' can describe a person's intense look in English (e.g., 'smoldering eyes'), Japanese does not use くすぶる for physical appearance. Instead, use phrases like 燃えるような目つき (burning gaze) or 情熱的な目 (passionate eyes).
たき火がまだくすぶっている。
The campfire is still smoldering.
灰の中で炭がくすぶっていた。
Charcoal was smoldering in the ashes.
Similar to くすぶる but often implies producing more smoke, sometimes used for smoking food or driving away insects.
湿った落ち葉がいぶっている。
The damp fallen leaves are smoldering.
Literally 'to burn while raising smoke', a more descriptive phrase for smoldering, but less common than くすぶる.
廃材が煙を上げて燃えている。
The scrap wood is smoldering (burning with smoke).
Metaphorically extends the burning meaning to describe lingering, unexpressed feelings like resentment or discontent.
彼の心には不満がくすぶっている。
Resentment smolders in his heart.
二人の間にはまだ怒りがくすぶっていた。
Anger still smoldered between them.
A noun phrase meaning 'hidden passion' or 'smoldering passion', often used in literary or romantic contexts.
彼女は内に秘めた情熱を持っている。
She has a smoldering passion inside.
Means 'uncontrollable anger' or 'smoldering rage', emphasizing the intensity of the suppressed emotion.
彼の目には抑えきれない怒りが燃えていた。
Smoldering rage burned in his eyes.
Used for problems, conflicts, or tensions that are not resolved and may flare up again.
その問題は今もくすぶり続けている。
The issue is still smoldering.
地域紛争がくすぶっている。
Regional conflicts are smoldering.
Literally 'embers remain', a metaphorical phrase for a situation that could reignite.
交渉は決裂したが、まだ火種が残っている。
Negotiations broke down, but the embers are still smoldering.