To undergo combustion, releasing energy in the form of light and heat.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to the chemical process of fire and heat.
- Used to describe literal fire or metaphorical passion.
- Commonly used in both scientific and literary contexts.
Overview
- 1概述：燃烧（rán shāo）是一个动词，核心含义是物质与氧气结合产生热量和光。它不仅描述自然界的火焰，还常用于文学和修辞。2) 用法：在物理层面，它通常搭配燃料或物体，如“木材燃烧”。在抽象层面，它常与人的精神状态连用，如“燃烧斗志”。3) 常见语境：实验室实验、森林火灾、工业生产、或者形容一个人充满激情（如：燃烧的热情）。4) 近义词比较：“烧”是一个口语化的词，可以指烹饪或物体被火烧；“燃烧”则更正式，强调化学变化过程，语感更庄重。
Examples
蜡烛正在燃烧。
everydayThe candle is burning.
我们需要燃烧煤炭来发电。
formalWe need to burn coal to generate electricity.
他在舞台上燃烧着自己的激情。
informalHe is burning with passion on the stage.
该物质在高温下会发生剧烈燃烧。
academicThe substance will undergo intense combustion at high temperatures.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
燃烧弹
incendiary bomb
燃烧室
combustion chamber
燃烧值
calorific value
Often Confused With
A colloquial, versatile character that can mean to burn, to cook, or to have a fever. It lacks the scientific precision of '燃烧'.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use '燃烧' for formal or written contexts. In casual conversation, '烧' is more common. Avoid using it for cooking or heating food.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often use '燃烧' when talking about cooking dinner. Remember that '燃烧' is specifically for chemical combustion, not culinary heating.
Tips
Use in metaphorical contexts
Try using '燃烧' with abstract nouns like 'passion' or 'youth' to sound more expressive. It elevates your Chinese from basic to literary.
Avoid using in cooking
Never use '燃烧' for cooking food. Use '烧' or '烹饪' instead, as '燃烧' implies a dangerous or chemical fire.
Symbolism in Chinese literature
In Chinese culture, fire often symbolizes revolution or unyielding spirit. '燃烧' is frequently used in patriotic or inspirational poetry.
Word Origin
The character 燃 contains the fire radical (火) and a phonetic component. It represents the ancient understanding of fire as a process of transformation.
Cultural Context
The concept of 'burning' is often linked to the Chinese idiom '鞠躬尽瘁，死而后已', implying giving one's all until the end, like a candle burning out.
Memory Tip
Think of a bonfire: the fire is 'running' (燃) through the fuel and 'shining' (烧) bright. It is the action of fire consuming energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questions“烧”是单音节词，口语化程度高，不仅指火烧，还可以指烹饪方式。而“燃烧”是双音节词，更正式，专门指代物质的氧化反应过程。
可以，常用于比喻义。例如“燃烧青春”或“燃烧热情”，表示一个人非常投入、充满活力地去做某事。
它既可以是不及物动词（如：木头正在燃烧），也可以在特定语境下作为及物动词使用（如：燃烧燃料）。
Test Yourself
森林里发生了大火，树木正在猛烈地___。
描述物体被大火吞噬的客观过程，使用“燃烧”最为准确且正式。
Score: /1
Summary
To undergo combustion, releasing energy in the form of light and heat.
- Refers to the chemical process of fire and heat.
- Used to describe literal fire or metaphorical passion.
- Commonly used in both scientific and literary contexts.
Use in metaphorical contexts
Try using '燃烧' with abstract nouns like 'passion' or 'youth' to sound more expressive. It elevates your Chinese from basic to literary.
Avoid using in cooking
Never use '燃烧' for cooking food. Use '烧' or '烹饪' instead, as '燃烧' implies a dangerous or chemical fire.
Symbolism in Chinese literature
In Chinese culture, fire often symbolizes revolution or unyielding spirit. '燃烧' is frequently used in patriotic or inspirational poetry.
Examples
4 of 4蜡烛正在燃烧。
The candle is burning.
我们需要燃烧煤炭来发电。
We need to burn coal to generate electricity.
他在舞台上燃烧着自己的激情。
He is burning with passion on the stage.
该物质在高温下会发生剧烈燃烧。
The substance will undergo intense combustion at high temperatures.
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