蠟 (là) - Wax — a solid, fatty substance used for

蠟Tone 4

là ｜ 21 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

蠟 · là

Wax — a solid, fatty substance used for candles, sealing, polishing, and various industrial applications.

Wax — a solid, fatty substance used for

Usage highlights

CandleWax sealWax figureWax museumFloor waxBeeswax

Synonyms

  • 蜡— wax (same character, different context)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The candle is made of wax (蜡烛).
  • She applied wax to the floor (给地板打蜡).
  • This is a wax seal (蜡封).
  • He works in a wax museum (蜡像馆).

Collocations

  • Candle(蜡烛)
  • Wax seal(蜡封)
  • Wax figure(蜡像)
  • Wax museum(蜡像馆)
  • Floor wax(地板蜡)
  • Beeswax(蜂蜡)

Idioms

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

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically important for lighting (candles) and sealing documents in China.
  • Used in traditional wax printing (蜡染) techniques for textile dyeing.
  • Wax figures have been part of Chinese culture for centuries, often depicting historical or religious figures.

FAQ