火山

かざん

volcano

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Understanding 火山 (huǒshān)

The word 火山 literally combines (fire) and (mountain), referring to a mountain formed by volcanic activity. It is used primarily in geological and natural disaster contexts.

Usage and Context

火山 is commonly used to describe both active and dormant volcanoes. When talking about eruptions, phrases like 火山爆发 (volcanic eruption) are frequent. It also appears in discussions about seismic activity and natural hazards.

Common Collocations

  • 火山爆发: volcanic eruption, used when describing an eruption event.
  • 火山: active volcano, referring to volcanoes that have erupted recently or may erupt.
  • 火山: extinct volcano, a volcano that is no longer active.
  • 火山: volcanic ash, the fine particles ejected during eruptions.

Register and Tone

火山 is a neutral, standard term used in scientific, educational, and news contexts. It is not colloquial or slang.

Avoiding Confusion

Do not confuse 火山 with (wildfire). 火山 specifically refers to volcanic mountains, while means forest or mountain fires.

Example Sentences

When a volcano erupts, it spews out a large amount of lava and volcanic ash.

This volcano has been dormant for several hundred years and has not erupted

Seismic activity is relatively frequent in volcanic areas.