1.
charcoal
A black porous material made by heating wood in a low-oxygen environment. Used as fuel for grilling, heating, and in traditional Japanese arts.
炭で肉を焼く。
To grill meat over charcoal.
炭を火おこし器で起こす。
To light charcoal with a fire starter.
備長炭は高品質の炭として、料理店で広く使われている。
Binchotan is widely used in restaurants as a high-quality charcoal.
USAGE:
Not to be confused with homophones 墨 (ink) and 隅 (corner). 炭 specifically refers to charcoal used for fuel.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 炭を起こす: to light charcoal
- 炭火: charcoal fire
- 炭焼き: charcoal grilling; charcoal making
- 備長炭: binchotan (high-grade Japanese charcoal)
- 木炭: wood charcoal
CULTURE:
Charcoal has a long history in Japan, used in tea ceremony (炭手前), traditional heating (火鉢), and yakitori grilling.