Translation guide
The English verb 'stoke' has two main uses: literally adding fuel to a fire, and figuratively encouraging or intensifying an emotion or situation. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for both.
To add fuel to a fire or furnace to make it burn more strongly.
Literally 'to throw firewood into the fire'. A common, natural way to say 'stoke a fire'.
彼は暖炉に薪をくべた。
He stoked the fireplace with firewood.
Means 'to build or tend a fire', often implying adding fuel to keep it going.
To make a feeling, conflict, or situation stronger or more intense.
Both mean 'to stir up', but 煽る often implies inciting or provoking (often negative), while 掻き立てる is more about arousing internal feelings like curiosity or passion. 煽る can be used for conflicts; 掻き立てる is rarely used for direct conflict.
Do not use ストークする; it is not a natural Japanese verb. For the fire meaning, use 火をくべる or 火を焚く. For figurative uses, choose the appropriate verb based on context.
It was cold, so I stoked the stove.
Literally 'to stir up the fire'. Implies poking or stirring embers to make the fire stronger. More specific than general stoking.
彼は棒で焚き火を掻き立てた。
He stoked the bonfire with a stick.
Means 'to fan', 'to stir up', or 'to incite'. Commonly used for stoking emotions, conflicts, or excitement.
彼の言葉が不安を煽った。
His words stoked anxiety.
メディアが対立を煽っている。
The media is stoking the conflict.
Idiom meaning 'to add fuel to the fire'. Used when an action makes a bad situation worse.
Only used for negative situations, unlike the broader English 'stoke'.
彼の謝罪は火に油を注ぐ結果になった。
His apology ended up stoking the fire.
Means 'to stir up' or 'to arouse'. Often used for emotions like curiosity, passion, or desire.
その映画は好奇心を掻き立てた。
The movie stoked my curiosity.
Means 'to promote' or 'to encourage' (often negative trends). Formal, used for stoking undesirable things like inflation or bad habits.
その政策がインフレを助長した。
The policy stoked inflation.