1.
ashes; embers; ruins
Refers to ashes remaining after something has been burned, or figuratively to the state of total destruction or ruin. A literary word often used in formal or dramatic contexts.
町は灰燼に帰した。
The town was reduced to ashes.
戦争で街が灰燼と化した。
The city was turned to ashes by the war.
大火によって歴史的な建物が灰燼に帰してしまった。
The historic buildings were reduced to ashes by the great fire.
USAGE:
A literary and formal word. Rarely used in everyday conversation but appears in written texts, historical accounts, and dramatic expressions.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 灰燼に帰する (to be reduced to ashes)
- 灰燼と化す (to turn to ashes)
KANJI NOTES:
灰 means "ash" and 燼 means "cinders" or "embers." Together they emphasize total destruction by fire.