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B1 noun #6,500 most common 10 min read

やけど

Top 6,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips やけど in 30 Seconds

Explanation やけど in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'yakedo' means a burn. You will mostly hear it in simple warnings like 'Atsui! Yakedo suru yo!' (Hot! You'll get burned!). At this stage, you don't need to worry about the kanji or medical terms. Just remember that it is a noun, and we use the verb 'suru' (to do) with it. If you touch a hot cup of tea and it hurts, you can say 'Yakedo shita!' to tell someone you got a small burn. It is a very useful word for basic safety in the kitchen or when eating hot food like ramen.

At the A2 level, you should be able to describe where you got burned and what caused it. You will use the particle 'de' for the cause (e.g., 'o-yu de' - with hot water) and 'ni' for the body part (e.g., 'te ni' - on the hand). You should also recognize the negative form 'yakedo shinai de' (don't get burned) used in instructions. You might start seeing the kanji 火傷 in public signs, but hiragana is still very common. You should also know the difference between 'yakedo' and 'hiyake' (sunburn), as A2 learners often talk about their holidays and trips to the beach.

As a B1 learner, you are expected to use 'yakedo' in more complex sentences and understand its metaphorical meanings. You should be comfortable using it with auxiliary verbs like '-te shimau' (to do something accidentally) to express regret about a burn. You will also encounter the word in news reports or health-related conversations, where terms like 'yakedo no ato' (burn scar) or 'teion yakedo' (low-temperature burn) might come up. You should understand that 'yakedo' can also mean a financial or social failure, such as 'getting burned' by a risky decision. This is the level where you start to see the word's versatility beyond just physical injury.

At the B2 level, you should distinguish between the common word 'yakedo' and the medical term 'nesshō.' You will likely encounter 'yakedo' in literature or more nuanced discussions about safety regulations and liability. You should be able to describe the severity using adverbs and specific adjectives (e.g., 'judō na yakedo' - a serious burn). You will also understand idiomatic expressions and the nuance of adding the honorific 'o' (o-yakedo) to emphasize a major mistake. Your ability to explain the first aid for a burn in Japanese using this vocabulary would be expected at this stage.

At the C1 level, you will understand 'yakedo' in all its forms, including obscure historical kanji usage or specific legal contexts regarding workplace injuries. You can discuss the pathophysiology of different types of burns (chemical vs. thermal) using related technical vocabulary. You will also be sensitive to the register—knowing exactly when to use 'yakedo' versus 'nesshō' or 'kashō.' In metaphorical contexts, you can use the word to describe complex socio-economic failures or high-stakes risks in political commentary. You can also appreciate the word's use in poetry or song lyrics where 'burning' represents intense passion or regret.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'yakedo' is native-like. You can navigate complex medical journals, legal documents, and classical literature that might use the word or its variants. You understand the etymological roots and how the concept of 'burning' has evolved in the Japanese psyche. You can use the word with perfect precision in high-level debates, perhaps discussing the 'burns' left on society by historical events. You are also capable of using the word in wordplay, puns, or highly sophisticated irony, showing a deep cultural and linguistic integration.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

やけど in 30 Seconds

やけど (yakedo) means a burn or scald caused by heat, chemicals, or friction. It is a very common noun in daily Japanese life.
Use the verb 'yakedo wo suru' to say 'to get burned.' Do not confuse it with 'hiyake,' which is specifically for sunbathing.
It can be used figuratively to describe a big failure, like losing money in stocks or failing in a risky social situation.
The medical term is 'nesshō,' but 'yakedo' is the standard word used at home, in restaurants, and in general conversation.

The Japanese word やけど (yakedo), often written in kanji as 火傷, primarily refers to a burn or a scald. In a physical sense, it describes the injury caused to the skin or other tissues by heat, electricity, chemicals, friction, or radiation. For English speakers, it is important to note that Japanese distinguishes between a general burn (yakedo) and a specific sunburn (hiyake), though a very severe sunburn that results in blistering might still be described using the clinical nuances of yakedo. The term is ubiquitous in daily life, ranging from minor kitchen mishaps to serious medical emergencies. Understanding this word involves not just the noun itself, but the verb pairings that describe the action of getting burned. In Japanese, you do not 'get' a burn in the same way you do in English; rather, you 'do' a burn (やけどをする - yakedo wo suru). This construction is essential for B1 learners to master as it follows the pattern of many Japanese nouns that turn into verbs. Beyond the physical, yakedo is used metaphorically to describe 'getting burned' in a situation—such as losing money in a bad investment or suffering emotional consequences from a risky endeavor. This dual utility makes it a high-frequency word in both literal medical contexts and figurative social contexts.

Literal Meaning: An injury to the body caused by heat or fire. It covers everything from a first-degree singe to a third-degree medical crisis.
Metaphorical Meaning: To suffer a loss or failure after taking a risk, particularly in finance or romance.

熱いお湯でやけどをしてしまいました。(I accidentally burned myself with hot water.)

When discussing the severity of a burn, Japanese speakers might use specific prefixes or medical terms, but in common parlance, 'yakedo' is the catch-all. If you are at a restaurant serving 'nabe' (hot pot) or 'teppanyaki,' you will frequently see warning signs saying yakedo-chūi (caution: burns). This highlights the word's role in safety and public health. In the domestic sphere, parents constantly warn children with the phrase 'Atsui kara yakedo suru yo!' (It's hot, so you'll get burned!). This cultural emphasis on safety around heat is deeply embedded in Japanese upbringing, especially given the prevalence of boiling water for tea and hot baths (ofuro). The word also appears in seasonal contexts; for instance, during winter, the use of 'kairo' (disposable heat packs) or 'yutambo' (hot water bottles) leads to a specific medical condition known as teion-yakedo (low-temperature burn), which occurs when skin is in contact with a moderately warm object for a prolonged period.

投資で大やけどをした。(I got badly burned by my investment.)

Using やけど correctly requires understanding its grammatical environment. As a noun, it often functions as the object of the verb suru (to do). However, the nuances change depending on the particles and auxiliary verbs used. For example, yakedo wo suru is the standard way to say 'to get burned.' If you want to say someone else burned you, you would use the causative form yakedo wo saseru. In more formal or medical contexts, the verb ou (to sustain/bear) is used, as in yakedo wo ou (to sustain a burn). This is commonly heard in news reports regarding accidents or fires. Another important aspect is describing the location of the burn using the particle ni (at/on). For instance, ude ni yakedo wo shita means 'I got a burn on my arm.' This precision is vital for B1 students who are moving beyond simple sentences into more descriptive Japanese.

Common Verb Pairings: ～をする (to get/do a burn), ～を負う (to sustain a burn - formal), ～が治る (a burn heals).
Adjectival Modifiers: ひどい (terrible/severe), 軽い (light/minor), 深い (deep).

揚げ物をしているときに、油で手にやけどをした。(I burned my hand with oil while frying food.)

Furthermore, the word is often used with resultative or aspectual endings like -te shimau to indicate that the burn was an unfortunate accident. Yakedo shichatta! is a very common informal way to say 'I went and got burned!' in a casual setting. When describing the cause of the burn, the particle de (by means of) is the standard choice. Hi de (by fire), yu de (by hot water), abura de (by oil). It is also worth noting the word ato (mark/trace). A 'yakedo no ato' is a burn scar or mark. In a society that values skin health and aesthetics, you will often find products in Japanese drugstores specifically marketed to treat yakedo no ato. This practical application of the vocabulary ensures that learners can navigate a pharmacy or explain a condition to a doctor effectively.

この薬はやけどの痛みを和らげます。(This medicine eases the pain of burns.)

You will encounter やけど in a variety of real-world scenarios in Japan. The most common place is likely the kitchen. Whether you are watching a Japanese cooking show (ryōri bangumi) or cooking with friends, warnings about hot pans and splashing oil are constant. Phrases like 'Ki wo tsukete! Yakedo suru yo!' are part of the rhythmic background noise of Japanese domestic life. In public spaces, particularly those involving steam or hot surfaces, the word appears on signage. For example, at an onsen (hot spring), there might be signs near the source of the water (yumoto) warning that the water is hot enough to cause yakedo. Similarly, on public transport or near construction sites, any exposed hot pipes will have a yakedo-chūi sticker. This makes the word essential for basic safety and situational awareness while traveling in Japan.

スープが熱いので、口の中をやけどしないように気をつけてください。(The soup is hot, so please be careful not to burn the inside of your mouth.)

Another significant context is the news and emergency services. In reports about house fires (kaji) or industrial accidents, the severity of injuries is often categorized by the degree of yakedo. Reporters will say 'zenshin ni yakedo wo oi...' (sustained burns to the whole body...). This formal usage contrasts with the casual usage heard at home. Furthermore, in the realm of beauty and skincare, dermatologists (hifuka) use the term when discussing the risks of laser treatments or chemical peels. You might also hear it in a social context when someone talks about a 'biting' or 'burning' experience in life. For example, if someone tries to enter a business market without preparation and fails miserably, they might say 'O-yakedo shita' (I got a big burn), adding the honorific 'o' for ironic emphasis or to show the magnitude of the disaster. This metaphorical usage is common in business talk and gossip.

花火でやけどをしないように、水の入ったバケツを用意しましょう。(Let's prepare a bucket of water so no one gets burned by the fireworks.)

For English speakers, the most frequent mistake when using やけど is confusing it with other types of injuries or using the wrong verb. In English, we 'get' a burn, 'have' a burn, or 'burn ourselves.' In Japanese, the standard is yakedo wo suru. Using yakedo wo eru (to get/obtain a burn) or yakedo wo motsu (to have a burn) sounds unnatural and is a common 'translation-ese' error. Another common pitfall is the distinction between yakedo and hiyake. While both involve heat damage to the skin, hiyake (sun-burn/sun-tan) is strictly for ultraviolet radiation from the sun. If you tell a Japanese person you got a 'yakedo' at the beach, they will assume you touched a hot grill or a jellyfish (which can cause a burn-like sting), rather than just staying out in the sun too long. Precision here is key for sounding like a natural speaker.

Mistake: Yakedo vs. Hiyake: Using 'yakedo' for a simple suntan. Correct: Hiyake (日焼け).
Mistake: Verb Choice: Saying 'yakedo ga aru' (there is a burn) when you mean 'I burned myself.' Use 'yakedo wo shita.'

❌ 海でやけどをした。(I got a burn at the sea - implies a hot object.)
✅ 海で日焼けをした。(I got a sunburn at the sea.)

Additionally, learners sometimes confuse yakedo with kizu (wound/cut). While a burn is technically a type of wound, in Japanese, kizu usually implies a physical break in the skin from a sharp object or impact. If you have a burn, calling it a kizu is too vague and might lead to the wrong first aid being offered. There is also a phonetic pitfall: yakedo vs. yakeru. Yakeru is the intransitive verb meaning 'to be burned' or 'to be grilled.' While related, you cannot say 'ude ga yakedo shita' as easily as 'ude ni yakedo wo shita.' Finally, be careful with the metaphorical usage. Saying 'yakedo wo shita' in a business meeting without context might make people think you actually had a physical accident. Always ensure the context of a risky venture or financial loss is established before using the figurative 'burn.'

❌ 彼は指にやけどがあります。(He has a burn on his finger - sounds like a permanent feature.)
✅ 彼は指にやけどをしています。(He has a burn on his finger - currently injured.)

While やけど is the most common word for a burn, several synonyms and related terms exist depending on the formality and specific nature of the injury. In a clinical or highly formal setting, you will encounter 熱傷 (nesshō). This is the medical term used by doctors and in insurance documents. It specifically refers to thermal injuries. Another related term is 火傷 (kashō), which is simply the kanji reading of yakedo, but in certain historical or literary contexts, it might be read as 'kashō' rather than 'yakedo,' though this is rare in modern speech. For English speakers, understanding these levels of formality is crucial for moving from B1 to B2 proficiency. Using 'nesshō' at a dinner party would sound bizarrely clinical, while using 'yakedo' in a surgical report might seem slightly informal.

熱傷 (Nesshō): Medical term for burns. Used in hospitals and textbooks. Example: 三度熱傷 (Third-degree burn).
日焼け (Hiyake): Sunburn or suntan. This is for UV damage specifically.
爛れ (Tadare): Soreness, inflammation, or erosion of the skin, often as a result of a burn or chemical irritation.

There are also verbs that describe the act of burning without using the noun 'yakedo.' For instance, yakeru (to be burned/tanned) and yaku (to burn/grill). If you say 'Hada ga yaketa,' it usually means you got a tan. If you say 'Ude ga yaketa,' people might ask if it was the sun or an accident. Another specific term is shigeki (irritation), which might be used if a chemical 'burns' the eyes or skin in a stinging way rather than a thermal way. For metaphorical 'burns,' one might use itade (a serious blow/severe wound). If a business deal fails, saying 'Itade wo uketa' (I received a serious blow) is a more formal alternative to 'Yakedo wo shita.' Understanding these alternatives allows learners to choose the right 'flavor' of the word for the situation, whether they are in a kitchen, a hospital, or a boardroom.

診断書には「第二度熱傷」と書かれていた。(The medical certificate said 'second-degree burn'.)

彼の言葉に、胸が焼けるような思いがした。(His words made my chest feel like it was burning - metaphorical emotional pain.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji 火傷 can be read as 'kashō' in formal medical contexts, but 'yakedo' is a 'jukujikun' reading, where the kanji are assigned to a pre-existing Japanese word based on meaning rather than sound.

Pronunciation Guide

UK jɑː.ke.do

US jɑ.keɪ.doʊ

Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'yakedo', the pitch is typically low-high-low (Heiban or Odaka depending on dialect, but usually flat in standard Japanese).

Rhymes With

Takedo (though not a common word) Makedo (name-like) Saredo (however) Naredo (although) Ikedo (although I go) Kakedo (although I write) Misedo (although I show) Tometedo (although I stop)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'do' as 'du' (like 'do' in English). It should be a short 'o' sound.
Stressing the 'ke' too much. Keep all syllables relatively equal in length.
Confusing the 'ya' with 'ja'. It is a soft 'y' sound.
Making the 'o' too long (yakedooo). Japanese vowels are crisp.
Misplacing the pitch accent, making it sound like a different word.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is usually in hiragana, making it easy to read. The kanji 火傷 is N3/N2 level.

Writing 3/5

Writing 'yakedo' in hiragana is easy, but remembering the kanji stroke order for 火傷 requires practice.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound, easy to pick out in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

熱い (atsui - hot) 火 (hi - fire) 水 (mizu - water) 痛い (itai - painful) する (suru - to do)

Learn Next

包帯 (hōtai - bandage) 病院 (byōin - hospital) 薬 (kusuri - medicine) 治る (naoru - to heal) 跡 (ato - mark/scar)

Advanced

皮膚科 (hifuka - dermatology) 感染症 (kansenshō - infection) 移植 (ishoku - transplant/graft) 炎症 (えんしょう - inflammation)

Grammar to Know

Noun + をする (Standard Verb Construction)

やけどをする、散歩をする、勉強をする

～てしまう (Regret/Accident)

やけどをしてしまった。

～ないように (So that ... not)

やけどをしないように気をつける。

～による (Due to/By means of)

不注意によるやけど。

～を負う (Formal Sustaining of Injury)

重傷を負う、火傷を負う。

Examples by Level

あつい！やけどするよ。

Hot! You'll get burned.

Simple present tense used as a warning.

やけどをしました。

I got a burn.

Polite past tense of 'yakedo wo suru'.

おゆでやけどをしました。

I got burned by hot water.

Particle 'de' indicates the cause.

やけどはだいじょうぶですか？

Is your burn okay?

Topic marker 'wa' used for the burn.

ここにやけどがあります。

There is a burn here.

Existential verb 'arimasu' with a location.

やけどにきをつけて。

Be careful of burns.

The phrase 'ki wo tsukete' means 'be careful'.

やけどがいたいです。

The burn is painful.

Adjective 'itai' describes the noun.

やけどをしないようにしましょう。

Let's try not to get burned.

'-nai you ni' means 'so that (something) doesn't happen'.

料理中に油でやけどをしてしまった。

I accidentally burned myself with oil while cooking.

'-te shimau' indicates an accidental action.

やけどの薬を買いに行きます。

I'm going to buy medicine for the burn.

Noun + 'no' + Noun construction.

このお風呂は熱すぎて、やけどしそうだ。

This bath is so hot it feels like I'll get burned.

'-sou' indicates something looks or feels likely to happen.

やけどをしたところを冷やしてください。

Please cool down the part where you got burned.

Relative clause 'yakedo wo shita' modifying 'tokoro'.

子供がやけどをしないように、ストーブを囲みました。

We put a fence around the heater so the child wouldn't get burned.

Using 'yakedo wo shinai you ni' for purpose.

指に小さなやけどができました。

A small burn formed on my finger.

The verb 'dekiru' is often used for injuries appearing.

日焼けとやけどは違います。

Sunburn and (heat) burns are different.

Contrast using 'to' and 'chigaimasu'.

やけどの跡が残るかもしれません。

A burn scar might remain.

'kamoshiremasen' indicates possibility.

スープをこぼして、足にひどいやけどを負った。

I spilled soup and sustained a terrible burn on my leg.

Using 'ou' (to sustain) is more descriptive than 'suru'.

低温やけどは気づかないうちに進行することがある。

Low-temperature burns can progress without you noticing.

'koto ga aru' means 'sometimes happens'.

不用意な発言で、仕事上で大やけどをした。

I got badly burned at work due to a careless remark.

Metaphorical use of 'yakedo' for a professional mistake.

やけどの応急処置として、まずは冷水で冷やすべきだ。

As first aid for a burn, you should first cool it with cold water.

'beki da' means 'should/ought to'.

火傷の跡を消すためのクリームを探しています。

I'm looking for a cream to remove burn scars.

Using kanji '火傷' which is common in product labels.

彼はその投資でひどいやけどを負い、全財産を失った。

He got badly burned by that investment and lost all his fortune.

Metaphorical use in a financial context.

キャンプファイヤーでは、やけどに十分注意してください。

Please be very careful of burns during the campfire.

'juubun chuui' means 'sufficient caution'.

やけどの痛みで、昨夜は一睡もできなかった。

I couldn't sleep a wink last night because of the pain from the burn.

'issui mo dekinakatta' is an idiom for not sleeping.

化学薬品が皮膚に付着し、化学やけどを引き起こした。

Chemicals got on the skin and caused a chemical burn.

'hikikosu' means 'to cause/trigger'.

この火傷は重度なので、すぐに専門医の診察を受けるべきです。

This burn is severe, so you should see a specialist immediately.

'juudo' means 'severe/heavy degree'.

火災現場から救出された人は、全身に火傷を負っていた。

The person rescued from the fire had burns all over their body.

'zenshin ni' means 'on the whole body'.

不用意に首を突っ込むと、大やけどをすることになるぞ。

If you stick your nose in carelessly, you'll end up getting badly burned.

Idiomatic warning using 'koto ni naru'.

湯たんぽによる低温やけどは、高齢者に多く見られる。

Low-temperature burns from hot water bottles are often seen in the elderly.

'ni yoru' means 'due to'.

火傷の状態を確認するため、包帯を外してください。

Please remove the bandage to check the condition of the burn.

'joutai' means 'condition/state'.

そのスキャンダルで、彼は政治生命に関わる大やけどを負った。

With that scandal, he sustained a 'burn' that threatened his political life.

High-level metaphorical usage.

やけどの患部を清潔に保つことが、感染症を防ぐ鍵だ。

Keeping the burned area clean is key to preventing infection.

'kanbu' refers to the affected part of the body.

被災者の多くは、熱風による気道熱傷を併発していた。

Many victims also suffered from respiratory tract burns caused by hot air.

Technical medical term 'kidō nesshō'.

不慣れな市場への参入は、企業にとって大やけどの源となり得る。

Entering an unfamiliar market can be a source of major failure for a company.

'-uru' suffix for 'can/is possible'.

火傷の治療において、湿潤療法が近年注目されている。

In the treatment of burns, moist wound healing has been gaining attention in recent years.

Academic context regarding medical trends.

摩擦やけどを侮ってはいけない。皮下組織まで損傷している可能性がある。

Do not underestimate friction burns; there is a possibility that the subcutaneous tissue is damaged.

'anadoru' means 'to look down on/underestimate'.

彼女の激しい気性は、周囲の人々にやけどを負わせることがある。

Her fierce temperament can sometimes 'burn' those around her.

Metaphorical causative 'yakedo wo owaseru'.

火傷（かしょう）という言葉は、医学的には熱傷（ねっしょう）と区別される場合がある。

The word 'kashō' is sometimes distinguished from 'nesshō' in medical contexts.

Discussing linguistic nuances in technical fields.

そのプロジェクトの失敗は、彼にとって一生消えない心の火傷となった。

The failure of that project became an emotional burn that will never vanish for him.

Poetic metaphorical usage.

雷に打たれた際、電流が体を通り抜けることで電撃火傷が生じる。

When struck by lightning, electrical burns occur as the current passes through the body.

'shōjiru' means 'to occur/arise'.

火傷の深度は、組織の凝固壊死の範囲によって一、二、三度に分類される。

The depth of a burn is classified into first, second, and third degrees based on the extent of coagulative necrosis of the tissue.

Highly technical academic Japanese.

過去の失政が国民の心に刻んだ火傷は、容易には癒えないだろう。

The 'burns' that past misgovernment carved into the hearts of the citizens will likely not heal easily.

Sophisticated political/sociological metaphor.

熱力学的な視点から火傷の形成過程を分析すると、伝熱速度が決定的な要因となる。

Analyzing the formation process of burns from a thermodynamic perspective, the heat transfer rate is the decisive factor.

Scientific/Engineering register.

文学作品において、火傷はしばしば罪の意識や消し去れない過去の象徴として描かれる。

In literary works, burns are often depicted as symbols of guilt or an unerasable past.

Literary analysis register.

広範囲の熱傷管理においては、体液管理と感染制御が救命の根幹を成す。

In the management of extensive burns, fluid management and infection control form the basis of life-saving efforts.

Professional medical discourse.

彼は、火傷を負うことを恐れて何もしないよりは、傷ついても挑む道を選んだ。

He chose the path of challenging himself even if he got hurt, rather than doing nothing out of fear of 'getting burned'.

Philosophical/Rhetorical structure.

火傷という現象を通じ、我々は生命の脆さと再生の力について深く考察せざるを得ない。

Through the phenomenon of burns, we are forced to deeply reflect on the fragility of life and the power of regeneration.

'-zaru wo enai' means 'cannot help but...'

皮膚の再生医療の進歩は、重度火傷患者のQOL向上に大きく寄与している。

Advances in skin regenerative medicine are significantly contributing to the improvement of QOL for severe burn patients.

Using acronyms like QOL in a professional context.

Common Collocations

やけどをする

やけどを負う

ひどいやけど

やけどの跡

低温やけど

やけどに注意

やけどを冷やす

やけどの薬

大やけど

やけどが治る

Common Phrases

やけどしちゃうよ

— You'll get burned (casual warning). Often said to children or friends near hot objects.

そんなに近づくとやけどしちゃうよ。(If you get that close, you'll get burned.)

やけど注意

— Caution: Burns. Standard warning text found on appliances, kettles, and hot food packaging.

このラベルには「やけど注意」と書いてある。(This label says 'Caution: Burns'.)

ひどいやけど

— A severe burn. Used to describe injuries that require medical attention.

彼は足にひどいやけどを負った。(He sustained a severe burn on his leg.)

やけどの応急処置

— First aid for burns. A common topic in safety manuals and health blogs.

やけどの応急処置を知っていますか？(Do you know first aid for burns?)

口の中をやけどする

— To burn the inside of one's mouth. Very common when eating hot soup or pizza.

熱いピザで口の中をやけどした。(I burned the inside of my mouth with hot pizza.)

やけどを負わせる

— To cause someone else to get burned. Used in accident reports or legal contexts.

不注意で彼にやけどを負わせてしまった。(I accidentally caused him to get burned through my carelessness.)

やけどの痛み

— The pain of a burn. Used when discussing symptoms with a doctor.

やけどの痛みが引きません。(The pain from the burn won't subside.)

やけどがヒリヒリする

— The burn is stinging/smarting. 'Hiri-hiri' is the onomatopoeia for skin pain.

やけどをしたところがヒリヒリする。(The burned area is stinging.)

やけどを未然に防ぐ

— To prevent burns before they happen. Used in safety education.

家庭内でのやけどを未然に防ごう。(Let's prevent burns in the home before they happen.)

やけどの専門医

— A burn specialist. A doctor who treats severe thermal injuries.

やけどの専門医に診てもらった。(I was seen by a burn specialist.)

Often Confused With

やけど vs 日焼け (hiyake)

Hiyake is for sunbathing/tanning. Yakedo is for thermal/chemical injury.

やけど vs 焦げ (koge)

Koge is charring on an object (like toast). Yakedo is an injury to a person.

やけど vs 傷 (kizu)

Kizu is a general wound or cut. Yakedo is specifically a burn.

Idioms & Expressions

"大やけどをする"

— To suffer a major failure or loss, especially in business or social situations.

新しい事業に手を出して大やけどをした。(He dabbled in a new business and suffered a major loss.)

Metaphorical

"火傷（やけど）に塩"

— Literally 'salt on a burn.' Equivalent to 'rubbing salt in the wound.' Making a bad situation worse.

失敗した彼を責めるのは、やけどに塩を塗るようなものだ。(Blaming him for his failure is like rubbing salt in a burn.)

Idiomatic

"喉元過ぎれば熱さを忘れる"

— Once the hotness passes the throat, one forgets the heat. People forget the pain of an experience once it's over.

喉元過ぎれば熱さを忘れるというが、彼はまた同じミスをした。(They say people forget the pain once it's over, and he made the same mistake again.)

Proverb

"火に油を注ぐ"

— To pour oil on a fire. To make a situation more volatile or worse.

彼の発言は怒っている上司に火に油を注いだ。(His remark poured oil on the fire of his angry boss.)

Idiomatic

"火中の栗を拾う"

— To pick chestnuts out of a fire. To take a great risk for someone else's benefit.

彼は他人のために火中の栗を拾うような男だ。(He is the type of man who takes risks for others.)

Idiomatic

"飛んで火にいる夏の虫"

— Like summer insects flying into a flame. Rushing to one's own destruction.

準備もせずに交渉に行くなんて、飛んで火にいる夏の虫だ。(Going into negotiations without preparation is like a moth to a flame.)

Proverb

"火の車"

— A 'fire chariot.' Used to describe being in desperate financial straits.

家計は火の車だ。(The household finances are in a desperate state.)

Idiomatic

"火を見るより明らか"

— Clearer than seeing a fire. To be absolutely obvious.

彼が失敗するのは火を見るより明らかだ。(It's absolutely obvious that he will fail.)

Idiomatic

"尻に火がつく"

— To have one's butt on fire. To be pressed by an urgent matter or deadline.

締切が迫って、ようやく尻に火がついた。(The deadline approached, and I finally got a sense of urgency.)

Idiomatic

"対岸の火事"

— A fire on the opposite bank. Something that is someone else's problem and doesn't affect you.

彼はその問題を対岸の火事だと思っている。(He thinks that problem is none of his business.)

Idiomatic

Easily Confused

やけど vs 日焼け (hiyake)

Both involve skin getting 'burned' by heat/light.

Hiyake is specifically for UV rays from the sun. Yakedo is for contact with hot things, fire, or chemicals. You 'hiyake' to get tan, but you 'yakedo' by accident.

海で日焼けした (tanned at sea) vs. コンロでやけどした (burned by stove).

やけど vs 熱傷 (nesshō)

They mean the same thing (burn).

Nesshō is a medical term used by professionals. Yakedo is the everyday word used by everyone else. You won't hear a mom say 'Nesshō ni ki wo tsukete' to her kid.

医者は「熱傷」と言ったが、私は「やけど」と言った。

やけど vs 火傷 (kashō)

It's the same kanji as yakedo.

Kashō is just the formal 'on-yomi' reading. It is rarely used in speech and mostly appears in very formal writing or old literature. 99% of the time, 火傷 is read as 'yakedo'.

文書には火傷（かしょう）と記されていた。

やけど vs 爛れ (tadare)

Both look like skin damage.

Tadare is the state of skin being raw or eroded, which can be a result of a burn, but also from allergies or chemicals. Yakedo is the cause/injury itself.

やけどで皮膚が爛れた。

やけど vs 焦げる (kogeru)

Both involve fire/heat.

Kogeru is for objects being scorched or charred. You don't usually say a person 'kogeta' unless they were literally turned to charcoal (very dark/macabre).

パンが焦げた (The bread burned).

Sentence Patterns

[N] でやけどをしました。

お湯でやけどをしました。

[Body Part] にやけどをしました。

手にやけどをしました。

[N] で [Body Part] に [Adj] やけどを負った。

油で足にひどいやけどを負った。

やけどをしないように [V-dict]。

やけどをしないように気をつける。

やけどの跡が [V-potential]。

やけどの跡が残るかもしれません。

[Metaphorical Subject] で大やけどをする。

無理な投資で大やけどをした。

やけどの患部を [V-te] 保つ。

やけどの患部を清潔に保つ。

火傷の深度は [N] に分類される。

火傷の深度は三段階に分類される。

Word Family

Nouns

火 (hi - fire)

傷 (kizu - wound)

熱傷 (nesshō - medical burn)

日焼け (hiyake - sunburn)

Verbs

焼ける (yakeru - to be burned)

焼く (yaku - to burn/grill)

焼き付ける (yakitsukeru - to sear/brand)

Adjectives

熱い (atsui - hot)

熱烈な (retsuretsu na - passionate/burning)

火災 (kasai - fire disaster)

消火器 (shōkaki - fire extinguisher)

包帯 (hōtai - bandage)

軟膏 (nankō - ointment)

水ぶくれ (mizubukure - blister)

How to Use It

frequency

High. It is the primary word for burns in Japanese.

Common Mistakes

Using 'yakedo' for a sunburn. → 日焼け (hiyake)
Yakedo implies a heat injury from a source like fire or hot water. Hiyake is specifically for UV light from the sun. Using yakedo for a tan sounds like you were in a fire.
Saying 'yakedo wo eru' (to get a burn). → やけどをする (yakedo wo suru)
In English we 'get' a burn, but in Japanese, you 'do' a burn. Using 'eru' (to obtain) is a direct translation error that sounds very unnatural.
Confusing 'yakedo' with 'koge' (char/singe). → パンが焦げた (The bread charred).
Koge is for things (food, clothes). Yakedo is for people/living things. You don't say your skin 'kogeta' unless it was a very extreme, morbid situation.
Using 'yakedo' to mean a general cut. → 傷 (kizu)
If you have a cut from a knife, it is a 'kizu.' Calling it a 'yakedo' will confuse people about how to treat it (e.g., they might try to put it under cold water).
Forgetting the particle 'ni' for the body part. → 手にやけどをした。
Learners often say 'Te wo yakedo shita,' which is sometimes used but 'Te ni yakedo wo shita' is the more standard way to indicate the location of the injury.

Tips

Use the Particle 'DE' for the Cause

Always use 'de' to indicate what burned you. 'Abura de' (by oil), 'Hi de' (by fire), 'O-yu de' (by hot water). This is a consistent pattern for injuries caused by external objects.

Learn 'Ato' for Scars

Japanese people are often concerned with 'yakedo no ato' (burn marks). If you are looking for skincare, this is the phrase you will see on many products.

Recognize 'Yakedo Chūi'

Look for these four characters (火傷注意) or the hiragana equivalent on every hot appliance in Japan. It's the most common safety warning you'll encounter.

Onsen Etiquette

In very hot springs, the water source is called the 'yumoto.' There are always warnings about 'yakedo' there. Don't touch the pipe where the water comes out!

First Aid Vocabulary

If you get burned, the first instruction in Japanese is 'hiyasu' (to cool). You will hear 'Sugu ni hiyashite!' (Cool it immediately!).

Financial Burns

In business news, look for 'yakedo' when a company's stock drops or an investment fails. It's a very common way to describe a bad loss.

Crisp Vowels

Make sure the 'o' at the end of 'yakedo' is short and clean. Don't let it slide into a long 'oo' sound.

Yakedo vs. Hiyake

Never tell someone you got a 'yakedo' from the sun unless you are in the hospital with blisters. Use 'hiyake' for your summer tan.

Accident vs. Sustained

Use 'yakedo shita' for yourself. Use 'yakedo wo otta' when reading the news. This shows you understand the register of the language.

Kanji Recognition

The kanji for 'yakedo' (火傷) literally mean 'Fire' and 'Injury.' This makes them very easy to remember once you see them a few times.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Yake' (Burning) and 'Do' (Degree). 'Yakedo' is the 'degree of burning' you have on your skin.

Visual Association

Imagine a 'YAK' (the animal) in a 'DO'jo (training hall) accidentally touching a hot stove. YAK-DO.

Word Web

Fire Hot Water Kitchen Blister Pain Scar Medicine Caution

Challenge

Go through your kitchen and identify three things that could cause a 'yakedo.' Say the sentence 'Kore de yakedo wo suru kamoshirenai' (I might get a burn from this) for each one.

Word Origin

The word 'yakedo' is derived from the verb 'yakeru' (to burn) combined with 'do' (degree/extent or a suffix indicating a state). Historically, it was written as 'yake-do' (焼け処 - burning place) or simply using the kanji 火傷 (fire-injury).

Original meaning: A place or state of being burned by fire.

Japonic / Old Japanese

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing scars (yakedo no ato) as it can be a sensitive topic regarding body image or past trauma.

English speakers use 'burn' for both fire and sun. Japanese splits these into 'yakedo' and 'hiyake.'

The character Shoto Todoroki from 'My Hero Academia' has a prominent 'yakedo no ato' (burn scar) on his face. In many samurai films, a 'yakedo' is used as a mark of a survivor of a village fire. The song 'Kagerou' by various artists often references the 'burning' (yakeru) heat of summer that can feel like a yakedo.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

In the Kitchen

鍋が熱いからやけどに気をつけて。
油が跳ねてやけどした。
すぐに冷やさないと！
やけどの薬、どこ？

At a Restaurant

プレートが熱いので、やけどにご注意ください。
スープで口の中をやけどしました。
氷をいただけますか？
子供がやけどしそうで怖いです。

At the Doctor

昨日、やけどをしました。
水ぶくれができています。
跡は残りますか？
痛み止めをください。

Winter Safety

低温やけどに気をつけて。
カイロを直接肌に貼らないで。
湯たんぽはタオルで包んで。
寝ている間にやけどしたみたい。

Business/Investing

あの取引で大やけどをした。
リスクが高すぎてやけどするよ。
早めに手を引かないとやけどするぞ。
彼は投資でひどいやけどを負った。

Conversation Starters

"「やけどをしたとき、どうやって処置しますか？」 (How do you treat a burn when you get one?)"

"「最近、料理中にやけどをしたことはありますか？」 (Have you burned yourself while cooking recently?)"

"「低温やけどになったことがありますか？」 (Have you ever had a low-temperature burn?)"

"「やけどの跡を消すいい方法を知っていますか？」 (Do you know a good way to remove burn scars?)"

"「子供の頃、大きなやけどをした経験はありますか？」 (Did you ever have a major burn as a child?)"

Journal Prompts

今日、料理をしていて少しやけどをしてしまった。その時の状況と、どう処置したかを書いてください。 (Today I got a small burn while cooking. Write about the situation and how you treated it.)

「やけど」の比喩的な意味を使って、過去の失敗談を書いてみましょう。 (Try writing about a past failure using the metaphorical meaning of 'yakedo'.)

日本の冬の暖房器具（こたつ、カイロなど）と、やけどのリスクについて自分の考えを書いてください。 (Write your thoughts on Japanese winter heating appliances and the risk of burns.)

やけどをした友達に、日本語でアドバイスや心配の言葉をかける日記を書いてください。 (Write a journal entry where you give advice or express concern to a friend who got burned, in Japanese.)

安全第一（あんぜんだいいち）という言葉と、やけどの関係について考察してください。 (Reflect on the relationship between the phrase 'Safety First' and burns.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'yakedo' covers burns from hot liquids (scalds), steam, hot solids, chemicals, and electricity. It's the general term for any heat-related skin injury. In English we might say 'scalded' for hot water, but in Japanese, it's still 'yakedo'.

It is very frequently written in hiragana (やけど) because the kanji (火傷) are a bit complex. However, on medicine labels, hospital forms, and formal signs, you will definitely see the kanji. As a B1 learner, you should recognize the kanji but feel free to write in hiragana.

You say 'Yakedo no ato ga arimasu' (やけどのあとがあります). 'Ato' means mark or trace. If you want to say the scar remains, use 'Yakedo no ato ga nokotte imasu'.

Yes, but it's usually used for 'failures' or 'bad experiences' rather than just 'sadness.' For example, if a relationship ended badly and it cost you a lot, you might say you 'got burned' (yakedo shita). It implies a risk that went wrong.

It translates to 'low-temperature burn.' This is a common Japanese term for burns caused by long-term contact with something only moderately hot, like a heating pad or a laptop on your lap. It's dangerous because you don't feel the pain immediately.

Japanese doesn't have a common separate verb for 'scald' like English does. You just say 'o-yu de yakedo wo suru' (to get a burn from hot water). The noun 'yakedo' covers both burns and scalds.

'Yakedo wo shita' is the common, everyday way to say you got burned. 'Yakedo wo otta' (from the verb 'ou' - to bear/sustain) is formal and often used in news reports or medical contexts to describe serious injuries.

You can say: 'Yakedo no nankō wa arimasu ka?' (Do you have burn ointment?) or simply point and say 'Yakedo no kusuri, onegaishimasu' (Burn medicine, please).

No, 'yakedo' is strictly a noun. You must pair it with 'suru' (to do) to create the verbal meaning. You cannot say 'I yakedo-ed'.

Adding the prefix 'o-' is often done for irony or emphasis when talking about a 'big' failure. 'O-yakedo shichatta' means 'I really messed up big time' (metaphorically).