燬 (huǐ) - to destroy by fire & to burn down

燬Tone 3

huǐ ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

燬 · huǐ

to destroy by fire;

to burn down;

to consume in flames;

conflagration.

to destroy by fireto burn downto consume in flames

Usage highlights

destroy by fireburn to ashesfire damagedestroy evidenceburn down a housedestroy completely

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 建— to build
  • 造— to construct
  • 保— to preserve

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The building was destroyed by fire (被火燬).
  • The wildfire consumed the forest (森林被大火燬掉).
  • Ancient texts were lost when the library burned (图书馆被燬).

Collocations

  • destroy by fire(焚燬)
  • burn to ashes(燬灭)
  • fire damage(燬损)
  • destroy evidence(燬证)
  • burn down a house(燬屋)
  • destroy completely(燬尽)

Idioms

  • Destroy traces and eliminate evidence(燬迹灭证)
  • Burn the books and bury the scholars(焚书燬典)
  • Destroy by fire and slaughter by sword(燬焚屠戮)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used in contexts of warfare, disasters, and intentional destruction.
  • Appears in classical texts describing the burning of cities, libraries, or important structures.
  • Carries strong negative connotations of irreversible loss and devastation.

FAQ