Entry
メラメラ
meramera
Describes a fire burning intensely or strong emotions like anger and jealousy flaring up.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word visually describes flames roaring and spreading with high intensity. It is also very frequently used figuratively to describe strong, burning emotions welling up out of control, such as anger, jealousy, or an intense fighting spirit.
- Blazing fire
- Intense emotions
Sense Map
Flames & Fire
The visual state of a fire flaring up strongly and growing.
炎がメラメラ燃える
Burning Emotions
Powerful feelings like anger, jealousy, or passion welling up intensely.
怒りがメラメラと湧く
Usage Note
How to Use
メラメラ(と) + 燃える
メラメラ(と) + 湧き上がる
How to Use
Common Phrases
メラメラ燃える
burn fiercely / go up in flames
怒りがメラメラと
anger flaring up
闘志がメラメラ
burning fighting spirit
嫉妬の炎がメラメラ
flames of jealousy burning
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fire | neutral | Describes a strong, consuming fire, whether a campfire or a house fire. |
| Anger & Jealousy | negative | Expresses dark emotions that consume a person's thoughts. |
| Motivation | positive | Used for fierce ambition or a strong competitive drive to win. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
かっと かっと / similar | Use for a sudden flash of heat, light, or an instantaneous burst of blinding rage. | While メラメラ implies a continuous or growing burning state, カッと emphasizes a sudden, instantaneous flash (like suddenly snapping in anger). | カッと頭に血が上る |
ぽっと ぽっと / contrast | Use for a slight, sudden warmth, a small flame, or a mild blush on the cheeks. | ぽっと describes something faint, soft, or small, directly contrasting with the aggressive intensity of メラメラ. | 頬がぽっと赤くなる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for bright electric lights.
This word is exclusively for fire and emotions. For electric lights, use terms like 煌々と (koukou to) or ピカピカ (pikapika).
Using it to describe a comforting, warm feeling.
It implies high, violent intensity. For a cozy warmth, you should use ぽかぽか (pokapoka).
Examples
Examples
枯れ葉がメラメラと燃え上がった。
かれは が メラメラ と もえあがった。
The dry leaves burst into intense flames.
VisualDescribes literal fire catching quickly and burning strongly.
キャンプファイヤーの炎がメラメラと燃えている。
キャンプファイヤー の ほのお が メラメラ と もえている。
The flames of the campfire are blazing fiercely.
VisualFocuses on the large visual size of the flames, not the sound.
彼の言葉を聞いて、怒りがメラメラと湧いてきた。
かれ の ことば を きいて、いかり が メラメラ と わいてきた。
Hearing his words, anger flared up inside me.
FigurativeFigurative use for anger growing rapidly like a fire.
ライバルを見て、嫉妬心がメラメラと燃えた。
ライバル を みて、しっとしん が メラメラ と もえた。
Looking at my rival, feelings of jealousy burned intensely.
FigurativeOften used for feelings of envy or jealousy consuming one's thoughts.
次の試合に向けて、闘志がメラメラと燃えている。
つぎ の しあい に むけて、とうし が メラメラ と もえている。
My fighting spirit is burning fiercely for the next match.
FigurativeAn example of a positive nuance, showing strong ambition and determination to win.
Similar Words
ぽっと
potto
ぽっと refers to a slight warmth or a very small flame, the exact opposite of the fierce burning of メラメラ.
Questions
Can I use this for the sound of a fire?
No. It is a visual word (gitaigo) describing the look of the flames. The sound of crackling fire would be パチパチ (pachipachi).
Is it always used with 'moeru' (to burn)?
Not always, but it is the most common pairing. It can also be used with verbs like 湧く (waku - to well up) when talking about emotions.
Can it describe feeling hot from the weather?
No, it's not used for weather or air temperature. Use じりじり (jirijiri) or ムシムシ (mushimushi) for hot weather.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2009890
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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