焼却する
shōkyaku suru
To incinerate in Japanese is 焼却する (shōkyaku suru). Wiktionary also lists 燃やす (moyasu).
Meaning: destroy by burning (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 焼却する | shōkyaku suru | |
| 燃やす | moyasu | [mo̞ja̠sɨ] (narrow) |
The verb is used to describe the act of destroying something by burning. While 焼却する is a technical or formal term for industrial or official processes like waste disposal, the specific term 火葬 is used when referring to incinerating human remains during a funeral or cremation ceremony.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun form 焼却 consists of the characters 焼 (burn/bake) and 却 (reject/discard), which literally means to burn something to get rid of it.
Which one should you use?
焼却する is a technical or formal term used for industrial or official processes, such as waste disposal.
How do you pronounce it?
shōkyaku suru
Did you know?
- While 焼却する is used for waste, the word 燃やす can also mean 'to fuel' a passion or a feeling in a romantic or emotional context.
- The concept of burning items to cleanse or purify a space is deeply rooted in Shinto traditions, using fire not just for disposal but for spiritual purification.
- The word 焼却炉, meaning 'incinerator', is a common sight in Japanese urban landscapes, often appearing as large, modern buildings that look more like museums than waste plants.
Examples in context
- 公害の防止のために、有害物を焼却する必要があります。To prevent pollution, it is necessary to incinerate hazardous substances.
- ゴミは燃やさないでください。Please do not incinerate the garbage.
- 激しい炎によって建物は焼き尽くされた。The building was incinerated by intense flames.
- ごみは燃えるゴミ袋に入れてください。Please put the garbage in a burnable trash bag.
- ゴミを焼却する施設が近くにあります。Gomi o shōkaku suru shisetsu ga chikaku ni arimasu.There is an incinerator facility near here.
- 産業廃棄物を焼却する。Sangyō haikibutsu o shōkaku suru.Incinerate industrial waste.
Example conversation
A factory worker and a supervisor are discussing waste disposal.
- 結衣 Yuiこの廃棄物はどうやって処分しますか？Kono haikibutsu wa dō yatte shobun shimasu ka?How should we dispose of this waste?
- 大翔 Hiroto専用の炉で焼却する。Sen'yō no ro de shōkaku suru.Incinerate it in the dedicated furnace.
- 結衣 Yui分かりました、すぐに準備します。Wakarimashita, sugu ni junbi shimasu.Understood, I will prepare it immediately.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣さん、作業中の火の扱いに注意して。Yui-san, sagyōchū no hi no atsukai ni chūi shite.Yui, please be careful with the fire during work.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “incinerate” translations and entries 燃やす, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
