1.
sparks, flying embers
Small particles of burning material that fly through the air from a fire. Also used figuratively for trouble or conflict that spreads to or affects uninvolved parties.
火の粉が舞い上がった。
Sparks flew up into the air.
風で火の粉が隣の家まで飛んできた。
The wind carried sparks all the way to the neighboring house.
降りかかる火の粉は払わなければならない。
You have to brush off the sparks that fall on you.
A proverbial expression meaning one must deal with trouble that comes one's way.
USAGE:
Often used figuratively in the expression 降りかかる火の粉は払わなければならない, meaning "you must deal with trouble that comes your way" — i.e., you cannot ignore problems that affect you even if you did not cause them.
The figurative use of 火の粉 refers to the fallout or collateral effects of someone else's conflict or scandal reaching you.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 火の粉が飛ぶ: sparks fly
- 火の粉が舞う: sparks dance / swirl
- 火の粉を払う: brush off sparks (deal with trouble)
- 火の粉が降りかかる: sparks rain down (trouble comes one's way)