燎 (liáo) - To burn & to set ablaze

燎Tone 2

liáo ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

嘹林

燎 · liáo

To burn;

to set ablaze;

to kindle;

to blaze;

also refers to a large fire or conflagration.

To burnto set ablazeto kindle

Usage highlights

Prairie fireBonfireTorchTo burn brightlyTo set fire toBlazing fire

Synonyms

  • 燃— to burn, to ignite
  • 烧— to burn, to scorch
  • 焚— to burn, to set on fire

Antonyms

  • 灭— to extinguish, to put out
  • 熄— to go out, to extinguish

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The wildfire spread quickly (燎原之火).
  • They lit a bonfire for the celebration (燎火).
  • The flames were fanned by the wind (火势燎原).
  • He used a torch to light the way (燎炬).

Collocations

  • Prairie fire(燎原)
  • Bonfire(燎火)
  • Torch(燎炬)
  • To burn brightly(燎燎)
  • To set fire to(燎燃)
  • Blazing fire(燎焰)

Idioms

  • A single spark can start a prairie fire(星星之火，可以燎原)
  • To burn one's brows — to be in imminent danger(燎眉之急)
  • To burn the cauldrons and sink the boats — to cut off all means of retreat(燎釜沉舟)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used in military contexts to describe the spread of fire in warfare.
  • Appears in ancient texts describing rituals involving fire.
  • Metaphorically represents rapid spread or influence, as in revolutionary contexts.

FAQ