15초 만에
- Literally means to stall or turn off a car engine.
- Metaphorically means to lose momentum or suddenly stop an activity.
- Can describe someone suddenly losing their temper or becoming quiet.
뜻
Literally, it means a car engine has stopped or stalled. Figuratively, it describes someone suddenly losing momentum, giving up, or losing their temper in an argument.
주요 예문
3 / 6Driving a manual car
糟糕，车在半路熄火了。
Oh no, the car stalled halfway.
Watching a basketball game
下半场，主队的进攻突然熄火了。
In the second half, the home team's offense suddenly fizzled out.
Talking to a boss about a project
由于资金问题，这个项目暂时熄火了。
Due to funding issues, this project has temporarily stalled.
문화적 배경
The phrase bridges the gap between mechanical failure and human emotion. In Chinese culture, 'fire' (火) often represents anger or success, so 'extinguishing the fire' is a powerful metaphor for losing momentum or calming down. It became widely popular as car ownership in China skyrocketed over the last 30 years.
The 'Le' Particle
You'll almost always see `熄火` followed by `了` (le) because it usually describes a change in state—from running to stopped.
Don't confuse with 灭火
Use `灭火` (mièhuǒ) for putting out a literal fire (like with an extinguisher). Use `熄火` for engines or figurative energy.
15초 만에
- Literally means to stall or turn off a car engine.
- Metaphorically means to lose momentum or suddenly stop an activity.
- Can describe someone suddenly losing their temper or becoming quiet.
What It Means
熄火 is a very common term you will hear in daily life. Originally, it refers to a car engine stopping. Maybe you stalled the manual car. Or maybe you just turned the key to park. But in conversation, it means much more. It describes a sudden loss of energy. It is like a fire going out. If a plan fails, it might 熄火. If a person gets quiet after being angry, they 熄火 too.
How To Use It
Use it when something stops working suddenly. You can use it for machines like cars or lawnmowers. You can also use it for people. If your friend is shouting and suddenly stops, say they 熄火了. It acts as a verb in most sentences. Usually, you add 了 at the end. This shows the state has changed. The fire was on, now it is off.
When To Use It
Use it at the mechanic if your car stalls. Use it with friends when a party loses its vibe. It is great for sports too. If a team was winning but starts losing, they are 熄火. Use it when you want to describe a 'fizzle out' moment. It feels very natural and visual. Everyone understands the image of a dying flame.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for people dying. That is too dark and inappropriate. Do not use it for light bulbs. For lights, use 关灯 or 坏了. Avoid using it in very high-level academic papers. It is a bit too colorful for a PhD thesis. Also, do not use it if a fire is put out by water. That is 灭火.
Cultural Background
China has seen a massive car culture boom recently. Because of this, driving terms have entered slang. 熄火 represents the frustration of modern life. It captures that 'ugh' moment when things just stop. It also reflects the Chinese concept of 'fire' (火) as energy or temper. When the 'fire' is gone, the drive is gone. It is a very 'street' way to talk about motivation.
Common Variations
别熄火: Don't turn off the engine.突然熄火: Suddenly stalled.彻底熄火: Completely fizzled out.哑火: A similar term meaning a 'dud' or a failure to launch.
사용 참고사항
The phrase is neutral but leans informal when used metaphorically. In a car context, it is the standard technical term.
The 'Le' Particle
You'll almost always see `熄火` followed by `了` (le) because it usually describes a change in state—from running to stopped.
Don't confuse with 灭火
Use `灭火` (mièhuǒ) for putting out a literal fire (like with an extinguisher). Use `熄火` for engines or figurative energy.
The 'Temper' Secret
If someone is 'having a big fire' (发火), telling them to `熄火` is a cheeky way to tell them to calm down, but be careful—it might make them angrier!
예시
6糟糕，车在半路熄火了。
Oh no, the car stalled halfway.
A literal use about a mechanical failure.
下半场，主队的进攻突然熄火了。
In the second half, the home team's offense suddenly fizzled out.
Metaphorical use for a sports team losing momentum.
由于资金问题，这个项目暂时熄火了。
Due to funding issues, this project has temporarily stalled.
Professional but descriptive use of the term.
聚会才十点就熄火了，真没劲。
The party fizzled out by 10 PM, so boring.
Used to describe a social atmosphere dying down.
他刚才还很凶，一看到警察就熄火了。
He was acting tough, but as soon as he saw the police, he shut up.
Humorous observation of someone losing their 'fire' or bravado.
我们的关系慢慢熄火了。
Our relationship slowly lost its spark.
Emotional use describing a loss of passion.
셀프 테스트
Choose the correct word for a car stalling.
我的车在红绿灯路口___了。
`熄火` is the specific term used for an engine stalling or being turned off.
Use the phrase metaphorically for a failed plan.
那个创业计划还没开始就___了。
When a plan fails before it starts, it 'fizzles out' or `熄火`.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality of 熄火
Used to mock someone losing an argument.
他瞬间熄火了。
Standard way to describe a car engine stopping.
请先熄火。
Used in news to describe economic stagnation.
市场增长熄火。
Where to use 熄火
At the Gas Station
停车熄火 (Stop and turn off engine)
Sports Commentary
进攻熄火 (Offense fizzled out)
Social Life
气氛熄火 (Atmosphere died)
Arguments
他没话说了，熄火了 (He ran out of things to say)
연습 문제 은행
2 연습 문제我的车在红绿灯路口___了。
`熄火` is the specific term used for an engine stalling or being turned off.
那个创业计划还没开始就___了。
When a plan fails before it starts, it 'fizzles out' or `熄火`.
🎉 점수: /2
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Not really. For a computer crashing, use 死机 (sǐjī). 熄火 is specifically for engines or metaphorical momentum.
It can be. If you tell someone 你熄火吧, it's like saying 'Shut up' or 'Give it a rest.' Use it carefully with friends.
For a car, it's 点火 (diǎnhuǒ - ignite). For a situation, you might say 火红 (huǒhóng - booming) or 热烈 (rèliè - enthusiastic).
Originally yes, but now it applies to any engine (motorcycles, tractors) and many abstract situations like business or sports.
No, for a candle or a small flame, use 熄灭 (xīmiè).
Extremely common! You will hear it in traffic, in sports news, and in office gossip.
Simply say 车熄火了 (Chē xīhuǒ le).
It's more about 'stopping' than just being tired. If someone was working hard and suddenly stopped, they 熄火了.
It appears in news headlines metaphorically, such as 经济增长熄火 (Economic growth stalls).
停了 (tíng le) just means stopped. 熄火 implies the power source or the 'fire' inside has gone out.
관련 표현
发火 (To get angry)
哑火 (To fail to go off/dud)
点火 (To ignite/start engine)
没戏 (No hope/it's over)
罢工 (To go on strike/stop working)
