噴火する

• Reading: ふんかする
• Romaji: funka suru
• Kanji breakdown: 噴 (fun) — spout, eject; 火 (ka) — fire
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯɴ.ka.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To erupt; for a volcano to discharge lava, ash, and gases violently.

A Group 3 (suru) compound verb combining 噴火 (eruption) with する. Used almost exclusively for volcanic eruptions. The noun form 噴火 is equally common in news and geology. Related terms include 噴火口 (crater) and 大噴火 (major eruption).

Examples

1. 桜島は昨日また噴火した。 Sakurajima erupted again yesterday.
2. 火山が噴火する前に住民は避難した。 Residents evacuated before the volcano erupted.
3. この山は百年以上噴火していない。 This mountain hasn't erupted in over a hundred years.

Usage Guide

Context: news, geography, natural disasters, science

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 噴 (fun, to spout/eject) + 火 (ka, fire). Literally 'to spout fire,' vividly describing the volcanic phenomenon.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal