焦熱地獄
shōnetsu jigoku
The Japanese word for inferno is 焦熱地獄 (shōnetsu jigoku).
焦熱地獄 is used to describe a hellish, intense fire. It often carries a religious or mythological connotation, suggesting a place of eternal suffering.
Meaning: large fire (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 焦熱 (scorching heat) and 地獄 (hell).
How do you pronounce it?
shōnetsu jigoku
Did you know?
- The character 焦 in 焦熱地獄 is also used in the verb 焦る (aseru), which means to feel rushed or impatient. This links the physical sensation of being scorched to the mental stress of a time limit.
- In modern Japanese pop culture, the afterlife and 地獄 (jigoku) are often depicted as mundane bureaucratic offices complete with uniforms and filing cabinets.
- The figure Enma acts as the judge of the dead in Japanese tradition, specifically determining if a soul is destined for the scorching heat of 焦熱地獄.
Examples in context
- Ōkaji ni yotte, machi wa hōkai shita. (大火事によって、街は崩壊した。)The city was devastated by the inferno.
- まるで焦熱地獄のような暑さだ。Maru de shōnetsujigoku no yō na atsusa da.It is a heat like a literal inferno.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are watching a news report about a massive fire.
- 美咲 Misaki見て、火事の規模がすごすぎるわ。mite, kaji no kibo ga sugisugiru wa.Look, the scale of the fire is too huge.
- 健太 Kentaあそこはもう焦熱地獄だな。asoko wa mō shōnetsu jigoku da na.That place is already an inferno.
- 美咲 Misaki誰も逃げ出せなかったのかな。daremo nigedasenakatta no kana.I wonder if anyone could escape.
- 健太 Kenta消防車が急いで向かっているよ。shōbōsha ga isoide mukatte iru yo.The fire trucks are heading there quickly.
