溶岩
yōgan[jo̞ːɡã̠ɴ]
The Japanese word for lava is 溶岩 (yōgan).
溶岩 is a noun used to refer to molten rock.
Meaning: molten rock (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
yōgan
Did you know?
- While 溶岩 means lava, the Japanese word for magma is マグマ, a direct loanword from English.
- The character 溶 in 溶岩 is a 'daiyōji', a simplified substitute character used to replace the more complex original character 熔.
- In Japan, lava is often associated with the 'onsen' culture, as some volcanic hot springs are heated by the same geothermal energy that produces 溶岩.
Examples in context
- 溶岩が流れている。Yōgan ga nagarete iru.The lava is flowing.
- 溶岩はとても熱い。Yōgan wa totemo atsui.The lava is very hot.
- 溶岩の島に行きたい。Yōgan no shima ni ikitai.I want to go to a lava island.
Example conversation
A student and a friend are watching a science documentary on TV.
- 大翔 Hirotoあの溶岩はすごい色だね。Ano yōgan wa sugoi iro da ne.That lava is an amazing color.
- 結衣 Yui本当だ。大翔、びっくりした？Hontō da. Hiroto, bikkuri shita?True. Hiroto, were you surprised?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、溶岩が動いているのが見えるよ。Un, yōgan ga ugoite iru no ga mieru yo.Yeah, I can see the lava moving.
- 結衣 Yuiとても迫力があるね。Totemo hakuryoku ga aru ne.It's very powerful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lava” translations and entries 溶岩, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 溶岩, CC BY-SA 4.0.
