火

JLPT N5

Fire, flame, blaze

Readings

On’yomi: γ‚« (ka)
Kun’yomi: ひ, -び, ほ- (hi, -bi, ho-)
ひ (hi) – fire, flame -び (-bi) – used in compounds (e.g., ζ—₯火 = sun/fire) ほ- (ho-) – rare readings

Vocabulary

火
ひ
fire
火山
かざん
volcano
火事
γ‹γ˜
fire accident
η«ζ›œζ—₯
γ‹γ‚ˆγ†γ³
Tuesday
花火
はγͺび
fireworks

Example Sentences

火を぀けます。
ひを ぀けます。
I light a fire.
η«ε±±γŒε™΄η«γ—γΎγ—γŸγ€‚
γ‹γ–γ‚“γŒ γ΅γ‚“γ‹γ—γΎγ—γŸγ€‚
The volcano erupted.
火事です。
γ‹γ˜γ§γ™γ€‚
There is a fire.
η«ζ›œζ—₯γ«δΌšγ„γΎγ™γ€‚
γ‹γ‚ˆγ†γ³γ« あいます。
I will meet on Tuesday.
θŠ±η«γ‚’θ¦‹γΎγ—γŸγ€‚
はγͺびを γΏγΎγ—γŸγ€‚
I watched fireworks.

Cultural Note

火 (fire) is significant in Japanese culture and daily life:
1. Elements and nature:
o Fire is one of the classical elements in Japanese thought, along with 水 (water), 土 (earth), and 钨 (wind).
2. Festivals:
o Many Japanese festivals use fire, e.g., 火η₯­γ‚Š (fire festivals), bonfires, and lanterns.
3. Days of the week:
o η«ζ›œζ—₯ (Tuesday) is literally fire day, influenced by the Chinese system of heavenly stems and planets.
4. Safety and symbolism:
o Fire represents energy, purification, danger, and warmth, appearing in proverbs, idioms, and daily expressions.