烧 (shāo) - burn & heat

烧Tone 1

shāo ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

烧 · shāo

burn;

heat;

cook;

roast;

fever;

to bake;

to stew;

to boil;

to char;

to scorch

burnheatcook

Usage highlights

burn somethingcook a mealhigh feverroast meatburn incensefirewood

Synonyms

  • 燃— to burn, to ignite
  • 焚— to burn, to set on fire
  • 煮— to boil, to cook

Antonyms

  • 灭— to extinguish, to put out
  • 冷— cold (opposite of heat/burning)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The house caught fire and burned down (房子烧毁了).
  • She is cooking dinner (她在烧晚饭).
  • He has a high fever (他发高烧).
  • We roasted sweet potatoes (我们烧了红薯).

Collocations

  • burn something(烧东西)
  • cook a meal(烧饭)
  • high fever(发高烧)
  • roast meat(烧肉)
  • burn incense(烧香)
  • firewood(烧柴)

Idioms

  • Burn the boats and break the cauldrons(破釜沉舟)
  • Burn bridges behind one(烧桥断后)
  • Fever burns the brain(烧脑)
  • Money burns a hole in one's pocket(烧钱)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Associated with both domestic activities (cooking) and destructive forces (fire).
  • In religious contexts, burning incense (烧香) is a common practice for worship.
  • Historically linked to ceramic and porcelain production through kiln firing techniques.

FAQ