To Get Baked
To Get Burnt, To Get Grilled
intransitive verb, ichidan verb
Remember how 焼く is "to bake," "to burn something," or "to grill"? 焼ける is just the intransitive version. That means no direct object needed! So this verb means to get baked, to get burned, or to get grilled.
焼ける is used when something is heated and transformed by the heat. Depending on the context, it can refer to anything from a muffin getting baked, fish being grilled, or pottery being fired. You can even use it when your skin gets a tan or a house burns down. Well, that last one is kinda sad. I hope it never happens.
You can distinguish 焼ける from 焼く because when cooking, you always care (ける) to ensure the food gets baked or grilled really well. You want to make sure it's properly 焼ける'd (heated through) to be safe!
The reading is the same as 焼く, so just use that knowledge and apply it here to be able to read this too.
まさか火事で家が焼けるとは思っても見ませんでした。
I never expected my house to burn down in a fire.
このパンはこんがりとよく焼けています。
This bread is toasted well.
「この肉は厚いから、焼けるまでに時間がかかりそうだね」「あなたが皿洗いをしている間に、焼けると思うけど」
"This meat is thick, so I think it'll be a while until it's cooked." "I think it'll cook while you're doing the dishes."