Kanji for Fire: 火 (Hi)

The Japanese Kanji for “fire” is 火. The pronunciation of the fire’s kanji is “ka” in on’yomi (Chinese reading) and “Hi” in kun’yomi (Japanese reading). Please note that the Kunyomi pronunciation of “Hi” is like the word “He” in English.

The Kanji 火 is constructed with 4 strokes. This Kanji is a part of the JLPT N5 syllabus (please check the list of JLPT N5 Kanji). In Japanese schools, this Kanji is taught in grade 1.

Origin of 火 (Kanji of Fire)

The earliest known examples of Chinese writing, found on oracle bones script and bronze vessels, show that the Kanji of Fire (火) originally depicted flames of a fire. The character gradually became stylized and abstracted over time, evolving into its modern form.

Mnemonic: How to Remember the Kanji 火 of Fire

The three long lines making an upside-down “Y” represent three firewood logs. The two short dashes can be considered flames and smoke. In this representation, the kanji of fire shows the top view of the object. (Note: To check about three different views of a 3-D object, please check the article about remembering Kanji.)

The beauty is that while fire’s Kanji tells us about its origin, the shape of the kanji also serves as a mnemonic. The following picture helps to understand the above visualization and helps remember this kanji.

Explanation

The above picture can help in remembering the Kanji of fire easily. It is better to visualize the fire as a side view as follows:

• The two lines on the bottom represent the flames or the firewood.
• The top and short lines on the side represent flames and smoke coming out of the fire.

Stroke Order for the Kanji 火

The following illustrations show the stroke order to write the kanji of fire (火):

Fire’s Symbolism and Cultural Significance

As in many others, fire is a powerful symbol in Japanese culture.

It represents energy, warmth, purification, and transformation. Fire’s dual nature as a life-sustaining and destructive force is deeply embedded in the human psyche and cultural narratives. In Shinto rituals, fire is often used for purification, symbolizing the burning away of impurities.

Fire Kanji as a Radical and Component

kanji for “fire,” 火 (hi), is frequently used as a radical in many other kanji characters. When used as a radical, it typically imparts meanings related to fire, heat, light, or energy. This radical is known as “ひへん” (hihen) in Japanese.

As explained in the article about the Kanji radicals, the radical of fire’s kanji appears in two shapes: the original shape of the kanji and 灬.

Overall, Kanji 火 appears as a radical or as a component in 276 Kanji characters, including 19 Jōyō Kanji.

Examples of 火 as a radical

Following are some examples of kanji where 火 (fire) appears as a radical:

• 灯 (とう, you): Lamp, light.
• 災 (さい, sai or わざわ-い wazawa-i): Disaster, calamity
• 炎 (えん, en): Flame, blaze.
• 煮 (しゃ, sha): Boil, cook.
• 炊 (すい, sui): Cook (particularly rice).
• 炭 (たん, tan): Charcoal.
• 炒 (いためる, itameru): Stir fry.
• 焼 (やく, yaku): Bake, grill.
• 為 (い, i): Do, make.
• 烈 (れつ, retsu): Violent, fierce.
• 煩 (はん, han): Annoy, bother.
• 煙 (けむり, kemuri): Smoke.
• 照 (しょう, shou): Illuminate, shine.
• 熱 (ねつ, netsu): Heat, fever.
• 燃 (ねん, nen): Burn, ignite.
• 炉 (ろ, ro): Hearth, furnace.

These kanji illustrate how the fire radical is used to convey meanings related to fire, heat, and processes or actions involving these elements.

Use in Language and Expressions

火 is used in a variety of contexts in the Japanese language, not just to describe fire itself but also in words that convey related concepts.

There are 272 Japanese words that begin with the Kanji 火, and it appears in 516 words.

Examples of Kanji 火 in Compounded Kanji Characters

Following are some compound words that use the “fire” (火):

• 火事 (かじ, kaji): Fire (as in a fire incident).
• 火山 (かざん, kazan): Volcano.
• 火曜日 (かようび, kayoubi): Tuesday (literally “fire day”).
• 花火 (はなび, hanabi): Fireworks.
• 消火器 (しょうかき, shoukaki): Fire extinguisher.
• 発火 (はっか, hakka): Ignition, combustion.
• 火力 (かりょく, karyoku): Firepower or thermal power.
• 火災 (かさい, kasai): Fire disaster, conflagration.
• 火炎 (かえん, kaen): Flame, blaze.
• 放火 (ほうか, houka): Arson.
• 点火 (てんか, tenka): Ignition.
• 火鉢 (ひばち, hibachi): Japanese brazier.
• 防火 (ぼうか, bouka): Fire prevention, fireproof.
• 火口 (かこう, kakou): Crater.
• 火種 (ひだね, hidane): Source of fire, ember.

These compound words showcase the diverse contexts in which the kanji 火 is used, from literal references to fire to more metaphorical uses, such as in the case of fireworks (花火).

Conclusion

The Kanji of fire 火, in its simplicity, captures the fundamental essence of fire in both literal and symbolic terms. It’s a testament to the significance of fire in human civilization – as a source of warmth and light, a tool for cooking and transformation, and a symbol of energy and change.

Understanding 火 provides a glimpse into the language and cultural and philosophical conceptions surrounding this elemental force.

Do check other Kanji characters on the page “How to Remember Kanji“.