木炭(もくたん)

木炭(もくたん) is the formal/technical term for wood charcoal. In everyday speech, 炭(すみ) is more common. The kanji mean 'wood' (木(もく)) + 'charcoal' (炭(たん)).

Common collocations

• 木炭(もくたん)で火(ひ)を起(お)こす (to start a fire with charcoal)
• 木炭(もくたん)画(が) (charcoal drawing)
• 木炭(もくたん)窯(がま) (charcoal kiln)

Functions

• 燃料(ねんりょう) (fuel — for grilling, heating)
• 脱臭(だっしゅう) (deodorizing)
• 浄水(じょうすい) (water purification)
• デッサン (drawing, sketching)

Cultural note

備長炭(びんちょうたん) (binchotan) is Japan's most famous charcoal, made from 樫(かし) (oak). Prized for even heat in cooking and water purification.

Similar words

• 炭(すみ): charcoal (everyday term)
• 石炭(せきたん): coal (mineral, not wood-based)