At the A1 level, 'yaku' is one of the first verbs you learn for daily life. It primarily means 'to cook' or 'to grill.' You will use it to talk about basic meals like fish (sakana), meat (niku), or bread (pan). At this stage, focus on the polite form 'yakimasu' and the simple sentence structure: [Object] o yakimasu. You might also see it in the names of foods you already know, like Takoyaki. The goal is to understand that heat is being applied to food to make it ready to eat. You don't need to worry about complex idioms yet, just the physical act of cooking on a pan or grill.
At the A2 level, you expand 'yaku' to include baking and toasting. You learn that 'pan o yaku' can mean both baking a loaf of bread from scratch and toasting a slice of bread for breakfast. You also begin to encounter the intransitive version 'yakeru' (to be cooked/burned) and should start practicing the difference. You'll learn about 'hiyake' (sunburn/tanning), which uses the same kanji. You might start using the Te-form 'yaite' to give simple instructions, like 'Please grill this.' You also learn that 'yaku' is a Godan verb, meaning its past tense is 'yaita.'
At the B1 level, you move beyond the kitchen. You learn the metaphorical uses of 'yaku,' most notably 'yakimochi o yaku' (to be jealous). You also learn the idiom 'te o yaku,' which means to have trouble dealing with something difficult. You start to see 'yaku' in more technical contexts, like burning data to a CD or firing pottery. Your understanding of the transitive/intransitive pair (yaku/yakeru) should become more solid, allowing you to describe both the action and the resulting state (e.g., 'The meat is grilled perfectly'). You also learn related verbs like 'itameru' (stir-fry) to distinguish them from 'yaku.'
At the B2 level, you encounter 'yaku' in formal and literary contexts. You learn compound verbs like '焼き払う' (yakiharau - to burn down) or '焼き付ける' (yakitsukeru - to sear/imprint). You understand the nuances of 'yaku' in professional cooking, such as 'aburu' (searing) vs. 'yaku.' You can use the verb in passive and causative forms (yakaseru, yakareru) comfortably. You also explore the cultural significance of 'yaku' in Japanese crafts like Bizen-yaki (Bizen ware pottery). You are expected to use the verb correctly in complex sentences with various particles and connectors.
At the C1 level, you master the subtle nuances and rare idioms. You understand how 'yaku' can imply a transformative process, such as 'burning' a memory into one's mind (kokoro ni yakitsukeru). You can discuss the etymology of the kanji and its relationship to other 'fire' related kanji. You are familiar with literary expressions like 'shoushitsu' (destruction by fire) and can use 'yaku' in abstract discussions about passion or destruction. You also understand the social nuances of 'sewa o yaku' (meddling) and can use it to describe complex interpersonal relationships with the appropriate tone.
At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'yaku.' You can appreciate its use in classical Japanese literature or archaic poetry where it might represent the 'burning' of the soul or the fleeting nature of life. You can differentiate between highly specific synonyms in technical fields like metallurgy or advanced ceramics. You are comfortable with all idiomatic expressions, no matter how obscure, and can use 'yaku' to create your own metaphors in creative writing. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its role in shaping Japanese culinary and artistic identity.

焼く in 30 Sekunden

  • Versatile verb for grilling, baking, and toasting.
  • Transitive partner to the intransitive 'yakeru'.
  • Used for cooking, tanning, pottery, and burning CDs.
  • Central to idioms about jealousy and meddling.

The Japanese verb 焼く (yaku) is a foundational Godan verb primarily associated with the application of heat to an object. At its core, it represents the transitive action of cooking, heating, or burning something. Unlike English, which distinguishes between 'grill,' 'bake,' 'toast,' and 'fry' with specific verbs, Japanese often uses 焼く as an umbrella term for any dry-heat cooking method. This versatility makes it one of the most frequently used verbs in the Japanese culinary lexicon, but its utility extends far beyond the kitchen into the realms of photography, digital media, and even human emotions.

Culinary Context
Refers to grilling fish (yakizakana), baking bread (pan o yaku), or toasting bread (to-suto o yaku).
Industrial/Artistic Context
Refers to firing pottery in a kiln or producing charcoal.
Digital Context
Used for 'burning' data onto a CD or DVD.

「今夜は魚を焼きます。」 (Kon'ya wa sakana o yakimasu.) - I will grill fish tonight.

The kanji consists of the 'fire' radical (火) on the left and a phonetic component on the right. This visual representation immediately signals the involvement of heat. It is important to distinguish 焼く (transitive: I burn something) from its intransitive counterpart 焼ける (yakeru: something burns/is cooked). For example, if you are the chef, you yaku the meat; if you are the observer, you see the meat yakeru. This distinction is crucial for achieving natural Japanese fluency.

「パンをこんがりと焼く。」 (Pan o kongari to yaku.) - To toast bread until it is golden brown.

Beyond physical heat, 焼く appears in the common idiom mochi o yaku (literally 'to toast mochi'), which means to be jealous. This metaphorical extension likely comes from the way mochi swells and puffs up when heated, much like a person 'swelling' with envy. Understanding these layers of meaning—from the literal flame to the heat of jealousy—is key to mastering this verb.

「彼は彼女の成功に焼きもちを焼いた。」 (Kare wa kanojo no seikou ni yakimochi o yaita.) - He was jealous of her success.

Sun and Skin
Used for sunbathing (hi ni yaku) or getting a tan.
Waste Management
Used for incinerating trash (gomi o yaku).

「夏休みに海で肌を焼いた。」 (Natsuyasumi ni umi de hada o yaita.) - I tanned my skin at the sea during summer vacation.

「古い写真をCDに焼いて保存する。」 (Furui shashin o CD ni yaite hozon suru.) - Burn old photos to a CD to save them.

Using 焼く correctly requires an understanding of its conjugation as a Class 1 (Godan) verb and its role as a transitive verb. Because it is transitive, it almost always takes the direct object marker を (o). The person performing the action is the subject, and the thing being heated is the object. For example, Watashi wa niku o yakimasu (I grill the meat).

Conjugation Basics

As a Godan verb ending in -ku, its dictionary form is 焼く. The polite form is 焼きます (yakimasu), the negative form is 焼かない (yakanai), and the past tense is 焼いた (yaita). Note the 'i' transition in the past tense (ku -> ita), which is standard for -ku verbs. The Te-form is 焼いて (yaite), used for requests or connecting sentences.

Polite Present
焼きます (yakimasu)
Plain Past
焼いた (yaita)
Te-form
焼いて (yaite)

One of the most common points of confusion for learners is the difference between 焼く and other cooking verbs like niru (boil/simmer), musu (steam), and itameru (stir-fry). 焼く specifically implies the use of direct heat, a pan, or an oven without a large amount of liquid. If you are making a cake, you use 焼く. If you are making soup, you do NOT use 焼く.

「オーブンでクッキーを焼く。」 (Oobun de kukkii o yaku.) - Bake cookies in the oven.

In metaphorical usage, such as expressing jealousy, the phrase is usually 焼きもちを焼く (yakimochi o yaku). While you can simply say yaku in very specific contexts to mean jealousy, using the full phrase is much clearer and more common in daily conversation. Similarly, when talking about a sunburn, you say 日焼けする (hiyake suru) as a noun-verb combo, or 日に焼く (hi ni yaku) as the active verb form.

「ステーキをウェルダンで焼いてください。」 (Suteeki o werudan de yaite kudasai.) - Please grill the steak well-done.

In technical or industrial contexts, 焼く is used for the process of 'firing' materials. This includes sumi o yaku (making charcoal) or touki o yaku (firing ceramics). In these cases, the verb implies a transformative process through intense heat, not just cooking for consumption. This highlights the verb's deep connection to the element of fire itself.

Ceramics
陶器を焼く (Touki o yaku) - To fire pottery.
Charcoal
炭を焼く (Sumi o yaku) - To burn wood for charcoal.

You will encounter 焼く in a vast array of settings, from the domestic kitchen to the bustling streets of Osaka. Perhaps the most iconic 'hearing' of this verb is in the names of Japanese street foods. Takoyaki (grilled octopus balls), Okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and Yakisoba (fried noodles) all derive their names from the 'yaki' (stem of yaku) form. When you walk past a food stall, the sizzle of the grill is the auditory equivalent of this verb.

At Restaurants

In a Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant, the verb is the star of the show. The server might say, 「お肉を焼いてお召し上がりください」 (Oniku o yaite omeshiagari kudasai), meaning 'Please grill the meat and enjoy it.' You will also hear it at Yakitori shops, where the chef is constantly yaku-ing skewers over charcoal. The smell of smoke and charred soy sauce is the sensory hallmark of 焼く.

「この魚は炭火で焼いています。」 (Kono sakana wa sumibi de yaite imasu.) - This fish is being grilled over charcoal.

In a home setting, parents often tell children, 「パンが焼けたよ!」 (Pan ga yaketa yo!), using the intransitive form to mean 'The bread is done!' However, the instruction 「パンを焼いて」 (Pan o yaite) is a common morning request. In the context of household chores, you might hear 世話を焼く (sewa o yaku), an idiom meaning to go out of one's way to take care of someone, often to an intrusive degree.

「母はいつも私の世話を焼いてくれる。」 (Haha wa itsumo watashi no sewa o yaite kureru.) - My mother is always taking care of me (sometimes too much).

In media and literature, 焼く can take on darker tones. You might hear about 焼失 (shoushitsu), which means 'destruction by fire,' or 焼き払う (yakiharau), meaning 'to burn down' or 'to raze.' In historical dramas (Jidaigeki), a villain might threaten to mura o yaku (burn down the village). This reminds us that while 焼く is usually productive (cooking), it can also be destructive.

TV Cooking Shows
「強火で表面をさっと焼きます。」 (Grill the surface quickly over high heat.)
Weather Reports
「強い日差しで肌が焼けるでしょう。」 (The skin will likely burn due to strong sunlight.)

One of the most frequent errors for beginners is the confusion between 焼く (yaku) and its intransitive partner 焼ける (yakeru). Remember: 焼く is something YOU do to an object (transitive), while 焼ける describes the state of the object itself (intransitive). If you say 'Pan ga yakimasu,' it sounds like the bread is actively grilling something else! The correct way to say 'The bread is baking' is 'Pan ga yakete imasu.'

Transitive vs. Intransitive

This distinction is a cornerstone of Japanese grammar. 焼く requires a direct object (を). 焼ける uses the subject marker (が). Incorrect: Sakana ga yakimasu. Correct: Sakana o yakimasu (I grill the fish) or Sakana ga yakemasu (The fish is grilled).

Wrong
パンが焼く (The bread grills... something?)
Right
パンを焼く (I grill the bread) / パンが焼ける (The bread is grilled)

Another mistake is using 焼く for all types of 'cooking.' English speakers often use 'cook' as a catch-all, but in Japanese, 料理する (ryouri suru) is the general term. If you are boiling pasta, you must use yuderu. If you are frying in deep oil (like tempura), you use ageru. Using 焼く for tempura would sound very strange to a native speaker, as it implies grilling the batter rather than deep-frying it.

「卵を焼く」 (Tamago o yaku) - This is correct for fried eggs or omelets, but not for boiled eggs (yude-tamago).

Learners also struggle with the idiom 手を焼く (te o yaku). It literally means 'to burn one's hands,' but its actual meaning is 'to be at a loss' or 'to have a hard time dealing with something/someone.' It does NOT mean you actually hurt your hands. If you actually burn your hand on a stove, you should say yakedo o suru.

「いたずらな息子に手を焼いている。」 (Itazura na musuko ni te o yaite iru.) - I'm having a hard time dealing with my mischievous son.

While 焼く (yaku) is a broad term, Japanese has several specific verbs for different types of heating. Understanding these nuances will elevate your Japanese from 'functional' to 'natural.' The most common related words are 炒める (itameru), 揚げる (ageru), and 炙る (aburu).

Cooking Variations

炒める (itameru)
To stir-fry. This involves a small amount of oil and constant movement, like making Yakisoba or fried rice.
揚げる (ageru)
To deep-fry. This is used for Tempura or Karaage, where the food is submerged in oil.
炙る (aburu)
To sear or lightly toast. This is often used for drying seaweed (nori) or lightly charring the surface of sashimi.

Then there is 煮る (niru), which means to simmer or boil in a seasoned liquid. While 焼く uses dry heat, 煮る is all about moisture. A dish like Nikujaga (meat and potato stew) is niru, while a steak is yaku. Mixing these up can lead to very different expectations for a meal!

「海苔を火でさっと炙る。」 (Nori o hi de satto aburu.) - Lightly toast the seaweed over the flame.

In the context of burning things (not cooking), you might encounter 燃やす (moyasu). While 焼く can mean to burn something to create something (like charcoal) or to cook it, 燃やす is more about the act of combustion itself, often with the intent of destroying the object or using it as fuel. For example, you moyasu firewood to stay warm, but you yaku a sweet potato in the embers.

「古い手紙を燃やす。」 (Furui tegami o moyasu.) - Burn old letters (to destroy them).

Lastly, consider 蒸す (musu), which means to steam. This is the gentlest form of heating and is used for dumplings (shumai) or steamed buns (manju). It stands in stark contrast to the direct, often charring heat of 焼く.

How Formal Is It?

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Transitive vs Intransitive verbs

Godan verb conjugation

Te-form for requests

Compound verbs with -tsukeru

Nominalization with 'no' and 'koto'

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

魚を焼きます。

I grill fish.

Basic [Object] + o + yakimasu structure.

2

パンを焼きました。

I toasted/baked bread.

Past tense of yakimasu.

3

肉を焼いてください。

Please grill the meat.

Te-form + kudasai for requests.

4

卵を焼く。

To fry an egg.

Dictionary form used in casual speech.

5

たこ焼きを食べる。

To eat takoyaki.

Example of 'yaki' as a suffix in food names.

6

母はパンを焼くのが上手です。

My mother is good at baking bread.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no' to say 'good at [verb]ing'.

7

ここで肉を焼かないでください。

Please don't grill meat here.

Negative Te-form + de kudasai for prohibitions.

8

いっしょに魚を焼きましょう。

Let's grill fish together.

Volitional form -mashou (let's).

1

海で肌を焼きました。

I tanned my skin at the sea.

Using 'yaku' for tanning/sunbathing.

2

パンが焼けましたよ。

The bread is done (baked/toasted)!

Intransitive 'yakeru' showing the state is finished.

3

ステーキをよく焼いてください。

Please cook the steak well-done.

Adverb 'yoku' (well) modifying the verb.

4

オーブンでクッキーを焼きます。

I bake cookies in the oven.

Using 'de' to indicate the tool/location.

5

焼き魚は好きですか?

Do you like grilled fish?

Compound noun 'yakizakana'.

6

餅を焼いて食べました。

I toasted mochi and ate it.

Te-form used to sequence actions.

7

彼は日に焼けて黒くなった。

He got tanned and became dark.

Intransitive 'yakeru' used for the result of sun exposure.

8

このパンは焼きすぎです。

This bread is over-toasted.

Verb stem + sugiru (to do too much).

1

彼女は彼に焼きもちを焼いている。

She is jealous of him.

Idiom: yakimochi o yaku.

2

この子は本当に手が焼ける。

This child is really difficult to handle.

Idiom: te ga yakeru (intransitive version of te o yaku).

3

古い写真をCDに焼きました。

I burned old photos onto a CD.

Digital usage of 'yaku'.

4

陶芸教室で皿を焼いた。

I fired a plate at the pottery class.

Artistic usage for firing ceramics.

5

ゴミを焼却炉で焼く。

Burn trash in the incinerator.

Formal/Industrial usage.

6

世話を焼きすぎて嫌がられた。

I was disliked for being too meddlesome.

Idiom: sewa o yaku (to meddle/take care of).

7

表面だけをさっと焼いてください。

Please just sear the surface quickly.

Specifying the extent of the action.

8

火事で家が焼けてしまった。

The house was unfortunately burned down in a fire.

Intransitive 'yakeru' + 'shimau' (regret/completion).

1

炭を焼いて生計を立てる。

To make a living by burning charcoal.

Professional/Craft usage.

2

その光景は私の目に焼き付いた。

That scene was burned into my eyes (memory).

Compound verb: yakitsuku (to be imprinted).

3

証拠をすべて焼き払った。

They burned all the evidence to the ground.

Compound verb: yakiharau (to burn away/raze).

4

嫉妬に身を焼かれる思いだ。

It feels as if my body is being consumed by jealousy.

Passive form 'yakareru' used metaphorically.

5

レンガを焼く工程を見学した。

I observed the process of firing bricks.

Industrial process description.

6

夕焼けで空が真っ赤に焼けている。

The sky is burning bright red with the sunset.

Poetic use of 'yakeru' for the sky.

7

彼は後輩の面倒をよく焼く。

He takes good care of his juniors.

Variation of 'sewa o yaku'.

8

写真を焼き増ししてもらう。

To have more copies of a photo made.

Specific term 'yakimashi' for photo reprints.

1

焦熱の地獄で身を焼かれる。

To have one's body burned in the hell of scorching heat.

Literary/Religious context.

2

情熱が彼の心を焼き尽くした。

Passion burned out his heart (consumed him).

Compound verb: yakitsukusu (to burn completely).

3

古文書を焼失から守る。

Protect ancient documents from destruction by fire.

Noun form 'shoushitsu' related to 'yaku'.

4

彼は世間の批判に身を焼いている。

He is suffering (burning) under public criticism.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

5

伝統的な手法で備前焼を焼く。

Fire Bizen ware using traditional methods.

Cultural/Artistic specificity.

6

野焼きは環境への影響が懸念される。

There are concerns about the environmental impact of open field burning.

Technical/Environmental term 'noyaki'.

7

その言葉は私の胸に深く焼き付けられた。

Those words were deeply seared into my chest (heart).

Passive compound verb for emotional impact.

8

自らの過ちで身を焼く結果となった。

It resulted in him being burned by his own mistakes.

Karmic/Metaphorical usage.

1

業火に焼かれ、罪を購う。

To be burned by the fires of karma and atone for sins.

Archaic/Buddhist terminology.

2

焦土と化した街を焼き直す。

To re-burn (metaphorically rebuild/rehash) a city turned to scorched earth.

Complex metaphor using 'yakinaosu'.

3

万葉集には「焼く」を用いた秀歌が多い。

The Manyoshu contains many excellent poems using the word 'yaku'.

Academic/Literary analysis.

4

彼の理論は過去の学説の焼き直しに過ぎない。

His theory is nothing more than a rehash (re-baking) of past doctrines.

Idiomatic 'yakinaoshi' for 'rehash'.

5

不条理な現実に身を焼き焦がす日々。

Days spent scorching one's soul against an absurd reality.

Highly poetic/Existential usage.

6

窯変によって焼成された独特の色彩。

Unique colors created through firing and kiln transformation.

Technical ceramic terminology 'shousei'.

7

焦眉の急を要する事態だ。

It is a situation of extreme urgency (burning eyebrows).

Idiom 'shoubi' (burning eyebrows) meaning urgent.

8

彼は己の魂を焼き尽くしてその作品を完成させた。

He completed that work by burning out his very soul.

Ultimate metaphorical expression of effort.

Synonyme

炙る 炒める 焦がす 加熱する ローストする

Häufige Kollokationen

魚を焼く (grill fish)
パンを焼く (bake/toast bread)
肉を焼く (grill meat)
肌を焼く (tan skin)
CDを焼く (burn a CD)
世話を焼く (meddle/care for)
手を焼く (have trouble with)
焼きもちを焼く (be jealous)
炭を焼く (make charcoal)
陶器を焼く (fire pottery)

Wird oft verwechselt mit

焼く vs 焼ける (yakeru)

焼く vs 炒める (itameru)

焼く vs 燃やす (moyasu)

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"焼きもちを焼く"

— To be jealous (literally: to toast mochi).

"手を焼く"

— To be at a loss; to have a hard time dealing with something.

"世話を焼く"

— To go out of one's way to help; to be meddlesome.

"胸を焼く"

— To have heartburn; to be consumed by passion or grief.

"焦眉の急"

— A matter of extreme urgency (literally: burning eyebrows).

"焼きを入れる"

— To discipline someone; to temper (metal).

"一肌脱ぐ"

— To lend a hand (often associated with 'yaku' in effort contexts).

"火を焼く"

— Archaic/Regional: To light a fire.

"身を焼く"

— To be consumed by emotion.

"焼きが回る"

— To lose one's edge (due to age).

Leicht verwechselbar

焼く vs

焼く vs

焼く vs

焼く vs

焼く vs

Satzmuster

[Object] を 焼く

魚を焼く。

[Object] を [Tool] で 焼く

パンをトースターで焼く。

[Object] を [State] に 焼く

肉をウェルダンに焼く。

[Person] に 焼きもちを 焼く

彼に焼きもちを焼く。

[Problem] に 手を 焼く

仕事に手を焼く。

[Object] を [Media] に 焼く

データをDVDに焼く。

[Body Part] を 焼く

肌を焼く。

[Material] を 焼いて [Product] を作る

粘土を焼いて皿を作る。

So verwendest du es

cooking

Covers baking, grilling, and toasting.

digital

Standard term for writing data to optical discs.

metaphor

Heat represents intense emotion (jealousy, passion).

Häufige Fehler
  • Using 'yaku' for boiling pasta.
  • Saying 'Pan ga yakimasu' instead of 'Pan o yakimasu'.
  • Confusing 'te o yaku' (trouble) with 'yakedo' (physical burn).
  • Using 'yaku' for deep-frying tempura.
  • Forgetting the 'i' in the past tense 'yaita'.

Tipps

Transitivity

Always use 'o' with 'yaku' because it is an action you do to something.

Food Names

Look for 'yaki' in menu items to know they are grilled or fried.

Pottery

When visiting Japan, look for local 'yaki' (ceramics) as souvenirs.

Jealousy

Use 'yakimochi' to sound more natural when talking about envy.

Pitch

Keep the pitch flat (Heiban) to avoid sounding like other words.

CDs

Even though CDs are rare now, the term 'yaku' is still used for data.

Tanning

Use 'hi ni yaku' for intentional tanning.

Ordering

Say 'yoku yaite' if you don't like rare meat.

Kanji

The left side is 'fire' (火), which helps you remember the meaning.

Yaku vs Moyasu

Use 'yaku' when you care about the result, 'moyasu' when you just want it gone.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Kultureller Kontext

Different regions have famous 'yaki' styles like Arita-yaki or Bizen-yaki.

In Yakiniku, there are unspoken rules about who flips the meat.

Street stalls (yatai) almost always feature something being 'yaku'-ed.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"お肉はどのくらい焼きますか? (How much should I grill the meat?)"

"パンを焼くいい匂いがしますね。 (The smell of baking bread is nice, isn't it?)"

"最近、焼きもちを焼いたことはありますか? (Have you been jealous lately?)"

"この陶器はどこで焼かれたものですか? (Where was this pottery fired?)"

"夏休みにどこで肌を焼きましたか? (Where did you get your tan during summer vacation?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日、何を焼いて食べましたか? (What did you grill/bake and eat today?)

「手を焼いている」悩み事はありますか? (Is there something you are having a hard time dealing with?)

好きな「焼き物」料理について書いてください。 (Write about your favorite grilled dish.)

子供の頃、パンを焼く手伝いをしましたか? (Did you help bake bread when you were a child?)

夕焼けを見て何を感じますか? (What do you feel when you see a sunset?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It can mean 'pan-fry' (like an egg), but not 'deep-fry' (which is 'ageru').

No, use 'wakasu' for water or 'yuderu' for food in water.

'Yaku' focuses on the object being heated/cooked, while 'moyasu' focuses on the act of burning something up.

Use the idiom 'Yakimochi o yaku'.

Yes, 'ke-ki o yaku' is the standard way to say bake a cake.

Yes, 'hada o yaku' (to tan) or 'hi ni yakeru' (to get sunburned).

It means you are having a hard time handling a difficult person or situation.

It is a regular Godan (Class 1) verb.

Yes, 'gomi o yaku' is common.

Because mochi puffs up when toasted, like a jealous person's feelings.

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