Translation guide
How to express 'start a fire' in Japanese, covering lighting fires for warmth/cooking, starting a campfire, and figurative uses like sparking conflict.
To ignite a fire intentionally, such as in a fireplace, stove, or for cooking.
The most common and general way to say 'light a fire' or 'set fire to something'. Used for candles, stoves, fireplaces, etc.
暖炉に火をつけた。
I lit a fire in the fireplace.
ガスコンロに火をつけてください。
Please light the gas stove.
Specifically means 'to build a fire' or 'to start a fire from scratch', often used for campfires or traditional cooking fires. Implies the process of getting the fire going.
キャンプで火を起こすのは楽しい。
Starting a fire while camping is fun.
A formal or technical term for 'ignite' or 'light'. Used in instructions, manuals, or formal contexts.
エンジンを点火する前に安全を確認してください。
Please check safety before igniting the engine.
To build and light a fire outdoors, such as a campfire or bonfire.
The standard way to say 'have a bonfire' or 'make a campfire'. It implies the whole activity of building and enjoying the fire.
夜、浜辺でたき火をした。
We had a bonfire on the beach at night.
Loanword from English, specifically for a campfire activity, often in organized settings.
今夜はキャンプファイヤーをしよう。
Let's have a campfire tonight.
To be the cause of a fire starting, often with negative connotations (arson, accident).
Means 'to cause a fire' (as in a building fire or wildfire). Used for both accidental and intentional fires.
たばこの不始末が火事を起こした。
Careless smoking started the fire.
Specifically means 'to commit arson', i.e., intentionally setting a fire illegally.
彼は放火の容疑で逮捕された。
He was arrested on suspicion of arson.
To cause something to begin, like a conflict, debate, or strong emotion.
Figuratively means 'to ignite' passions, conflicts, or movements. Same phrase as lighting a physical fire.
彼の演説が群衆の心に火をつけた。
His speech ignited the hearts of the crowd.
Literally 'to sow fire seeds', meaning to plant the seeds of conflict or trouble.
その発言が論争の火種をまいた。
That remark sowed the seeds of controversy.
火をつける (hi o tsukeru) is for lighting an existing fuel source (like a candle or gas stove) with a flame. 火を起こす (hi o okosu) is for building a fire from scratch, like with kindling and logs. Use 火をつける for everyday actions like lighting a cigarette or stove, and 火を起こす for campfires or traditional cooking fires.
ライターでたばこに火をつけた。
I lit the cigarette with a lighter.
彼は薪を集めて火を起こした。
He gathered firewood and started a fire.
The English phrase 'start a fire' can also mean 'to begin a career as a firefighter', but this is not covered here. In Japanese, that would be 消防士になる (shouboushi ni naru).