火災
kasai[ka̠sa̠i]
The Japanese phrase 火災 (kasai).
火災 refers to a destructive fire that causes damage to buildings or property. It is typically used when discussing the event as a phenomenon or a statistical occurrence, such as in 'fire prevention' or 'fire damage' contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 火 (fire) and 災 (disaster/calamity).
How do you pronounce it?
kasai
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific term, 火事場泥棒 (kajiba dorobō), for 'fire-scene thieves'. These are people who take advantage of the chaos of a fire to steal from the affected property.
- In traditional neighborhoods, night watchmen still patrol the streets calling out 火の用心 (hi no yōjin) to remind residents to prevent fires.
- While 火災 (kasai) means 'fire disaster', the word 火事 (kaji) is used for the actual event of a fire, and using the formal 火災 to a neighbor would sound like a news report.
Examples in context
- 昨日、大都市で大規模な火災が発生しました。Yesterday, a large-scale fire occurred in the city.
- 昨夜、大きな火災が発生しました。Sakuyē, ōkina kasai ga hassei shimashita.A large fire broke out last night.
- 火災による被害は甚大です。Kasai ni yoru higai wa jindai desu.The damage caused by the fire is enormous.
- 火災に注意してください。Kasai ni chūi shite kudasai.Please be careful of fires.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Ren are talking about the news.
- 陽葵 Himariニュースで火災のことを見た？nyūsu de kasai no koto o mita?Did you see the news about the fire?
- 蓮 Renいいえ、まだ見ていないよ。iie, mada mite inai yo.No, I haven't seen it yet.
- 陽葵 Himariビルが全部燃えていたよ。biru ga zenbu moete ita yo.The whole building was burning.
- 蓮 Renそれは大変だったね。sore wa taihen datta ne.That must have been terrible.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 火災, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
