熏 (xūn) - To smoke, fumigate, cure & to perfume, scent

熏Tone 1

xūn ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

信嫣

熏 · xūn

To smoke, fumigate, cure;

to perfume, scent;

to influence gradually;

also refers to a warm, gentle state.

To smoke, fumigate, cureto perfume, scentto influence gradually

Usage highlights

Smoked meatFumigationInfluence graduallyWarm breezeSmoking processIncense burner

Synonyms

  • 烟— smoke (more literal)
  • 烤— roast, bake (different cooking method)
  • 陶— influence, mold (in 熏陶)

Antonyms

  • 鲜— fresh (opposite of smoked/cured)
  • 冷— cold (opposite of warm 熏风)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Smoked fish(熏鱼)
  • Air purifier(空气净化器)
  • Influenced by the environment(受环境熏陶)
  • Warm spring breeze(熏风)

Collocations

  • Smoked meat(熏肉)
  • Fumigation(熏蒸)
  • Influence gradually(熏陶)
  • Warm breeze(熏风)
  • Smoking process(熏制)
  • Incense burner(熏炉)

Idioms

  • Virtue that moves all within the four seas(德熏四海)
  • Influenced by good surroundings(熏陶成性)
  • Smoke fills the room(烟雾熏天)
  • Warm as spring breeze(暖如熏风)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted smoke rising from fire, later extended to smoking/curing food and gradual influence.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, fumigation (熏蒸) is used for therapeutic purposes.
  • The character carries both positive (influence, warmth) and negative (smoke, pollution) connotations.

FAQ