焚 (fén) - to burn & to set on fire
焚 · fén
to burn;
to set on fire;
to destroy by fire.
to burnto set on fireto destroy by fire.
Usage highlights
to burn booksto burn incenseto be burned with anxietyto be destroyed by fireto burn oneself to deathto burn the bridges
Usage & contexts
Examples
- The invaders burned the city (焚城).
- He burned the documents to destroy evidence (焚毁文件).
- The ancient practice of burning books occurred (焚书).
- The forest was consumed by a wildfire (森林被焚).
Collocations
- to burn books(焚书)
- to burn incense(焚香)
- to be burned with anxiety(心急如焚)
- to be destroyed by fire(焚毁)
- to burn oneself to death(自焚)
- to burn the bridges(焚舟破釜)
Idioms
- As anxious as if on fire(心急如焚)
- To burn the books and bury the scholars alive(焚书坑儒)
- To burn one's own boats(焚舟破釜)
- Fragrant herbs burned, fair ones injured(兰艾同焚)
Cultural background
FAQ- Historically associated with the 'Burning of Books and Burying of Scholars' (焚书坑儒) event under Qin Shi Huang.
- Often used metaphorically to describe intense emotions like anxiety or anger.
- In religious contexts, it refers to the burning of incense as an offering.