燃える

• Reading: もえる
• Romaji: moeru
• Kanji breakdown: 燃 (nen/mo) — burn, blaze, be fired up
• Pronunciation: /mo.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To burn; to be on fire. Used for both literal fire and figurative passion or excitement.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb. An intransitive verb for things catching fire or being ablaze. Also widely used figuratively for burning passion (やる気が燃える), fighting spirit, or intense enthusiasm. The transitive counterpart is 燃やす (to set fire to). Common in both everyday speech and dramatic/literary contexts.

Examples

1. 隣の家が燃えているのを見て驚いた。 I was shocked to see the house next door on fire.
2. 選手たちは闘志に燃えて試合に臨んだ。 The athletes were burning with fighting spirit as they headed into the match.
3. 紙は簡単に燃えるから火の近くに置かないで。 Paper burns easily, so don't leave it near fire.

Usage Guide

Context: emergencies, sports, daily life

Tone: vivid

Origin & History

The kanji 燃 combines 火 (fire radical) and 然 (so, like that). Fire acting naturally — the inherent nature of something catching flame.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal