Quotes
Japanese meaning of 心を燃やせ
— Kyojuro Rengoku ／ Demon Slayer
Voice sample:
こころをもやせ (Kokoro o moyase.)
English Translation:
Set your heart ablaze.
Original Scene & Cultural Context
Scene in the Original Work:
In the Mugen Train arc, the Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku is fatally wounded protecting the passengers and Tanjiro's group. In his last words to Tanjiro, he tells him to stand tall and keep moving forward, however crushed he feels by his own weakness, and to set his heart ablaze.
日本語で読む
無限列車編。乗客と炭治郎たちを守り抜いた炎柱・煉獄杏寿郎は致命傷を負う。最期に炭治郎へ、自分の弱さや不甲斐なさに打ちのめされても、胸を張って前を向けと語りかけ、「心を燃やせ」と託す。
Cultural Context:
The Mugen Train movie (2020) became the highest-grossing film in Japan's history, and this line became a national phrase. It is used to cheer people on before exams, games, or hard days at work, and appears on school posters and sports banners. Rengoku's flame motif makes the image of a burning heart easy to remember.
日本語で読む
映画『無限列車編』（2020年）は日本の歴代興行収入1位となり、このセリフも社会現象になった。受験や試合、仕事のつらい日などに自分や人を励ます言葉として使われ、部活や応援の横断幕でも見られる。炎柱・煉獄の炎のイメージと重なり、印象に残りやすい。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
•「心」= heart, spirit. •「燃やす」= to burn (something) — transitive. •「燃やせ」= imperative form, a strong command.
日本語で読む
•「心」は気持ち・精神。•「燃やす」は「燃える」の他動詞。•「燃やせ」は命令形で、強く励ます言い方。
Trap for English Speakers
燃やせ is a direct command. As encouragement it is fine between friends or teammates, but toward a superior it sounds too strong.
日本語で読む
「燃やせ」は命令形。仲間同士の励ましならよいが、目上の人に言うと強すぎる。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
決勝の前、キャプテンはチームに「最後まで心を燃やせ！」と声をかけた。
Before the final, the captain told the team, "Set your hearts ablaze until the very end!"
Example 2Applied Example
（月曜の朝、布団から出られない自分に）心を燃やせ…。
(To yourself, unable to get out of bed on Monday morning) "Set your heart ablaze..."
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「心を燃やせ」 mean?