燃え上がる

• Reading: もえあがる
• Romaji: moeagaru
• Kanji breakdown: 燃 (nen/mo) — to burn, combust; 上 (jō/a) — to rise, go up
• Pronunciation: /mo.e.a.ɡa.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To burst into flames; to flare up; to blaze; to surge with passion or excitement.

A Group 1 (godan) verb combining 燃える (to burn) and 上がる (to rise). Used literally for fire flaring upward and figuratively for emotions, enthusiasm, or conflicts suddenly intensifying. Common in dramatic descriptions of physical fires and emotional surges alike.

Examples

1. 乾燥した森林に火がつくと、あっという間に燃え上がった。 When the dry forest caught fire, it burst into flames in an instant.
2. 二人の間の恋愛感情が一気に燃え上がる。 The romantic feelings between the two flared up all at once.
3. 批判を受けて逆に闘志が燃え上がってきた。 Receiving criticism only made his fighting spirit blaze even stronger.

Usage Guide

Context: fire, emotions, sports, drama

Tone: dramatic

Origin & History

Compound of 燃える (to burn) and 上がる (to rise upward). The image is of flames leaping up suddenly, extended to any surge of intense energy or emotion.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal