蜡 (là) - Wax & candle

蜡Tone 4

là ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

蜡 · là

Wax;

candle;

waxy;

also used to describe something pale or white.

Waxcandlewaxy

Usage highlights

CandleWax figureWax museumWax printingWax paperWax yellow

Synonyms

  • 烛— candle (more specific to the burning object)
  • 脂— fat, grease (sometimes used for waxy substances)

Antonyms

  • 火— fire (opposite of the solid, meltable nature of wax)
  • 水— water (opposite physical state and properties)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The candle (蜡烛) flickered in the dark.
  • She applied wax (蜡) to the floor for polishing.
  • The wax figure (蜡像) looked incredibly lifelike.
  • He had a pale, waxy (蜡黄) complexion from illness.

Collocations

  • Candle(蜡烛)
  • Wax figure(蜡像)
  • Wax museum(蜡像馆)
  • Wax printing(蜡染)
  • Wax paper(蜡纸)
  • Wax yellow(蜡黄)

Idioms

  • As timid as a mouse seeing a cat(胆小如鼠见蜡)
  • Wax torch in silver candleholder(银烛蜡炬)
  • Wax torch and silken curtain(蜡炬纱帷)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Wax has been used in China for centuries in candles, seals, and batik dyeing (蜡染).
  • In traditional medicine, a waxy complexion (蜡黄) indicates poor health or liver issues.
  • Wax figures became popular in modern times with wax museums showcasing historical and celebrity figures.

FAQ