灼

zhuó

勺 + 火

Definitions

zhuó (verb) to burn; to scorch

zhuó (adjective) burning; hot

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 火 represents the meaning and 勺 represents the sound.

Semantic: 火 Phonetic: 勺

About

A phono-semantic compound, 灼 combines the fire radical 火 on the left, giving the meaning of heat, flames, and burning, with 勺 (spoon) on the right as the phonetic component. Its core sense is to burn, sear, or scorch through intense heat or direct fire. The vivid nature of fire led to extended meanings of brightness, brilliance, and clarity, describing dazzling light, luminous colors, or anything strikingly conspicuous and obvious.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

阳光灼热，天气真好啊。

Yáng guāng zhuó rè, tiān qì zhēn hǎo ā.

The sun is scorching, the weather is so nice.

他的手被火焰灼伤了。

Tā de shǒu bèi huǒ yàn zhuó shāng le.

His hand was burned by the flame.

她的目光灼灼，充满了决心。

Tā de mù guāng zhuó zhuó, chōng mǎn le jué xīn.

Her eyes were blazing, filled with determination。

他对这个问题有灼见。

Tā duì zhè ge wèn tí yǒu zhuó jiàn.

He has keen insights on this issue.

消毒时，酒精涂抹处会有灼烧感。

Xiāo dú shí, jiǔ jīng tú mǒ chù huì yǒu zhuó shāo gǎn.

When disinfecting, the area where alcohol is applied will have a burning sensation.

真相如灼灼烈日，无法被掩盖。

Zhēn xiàng rú zhuó zhuó liè rì, wú fǎ bèi yǎn gài.

The truth is like a blazing sun, impossible to conceal.

批评家的评论语言灼热，切中要害。

Pī píng jiā de píng lùn yǔ yán zhuó rè, qiè zhòng yào hài.

The critic's review was scathingly sharp, hitting the nail on the head.

那段灼痛的记忆，始终在他心中挥之不去。

Nà duàn zhuó tòng de jì yì, shǐ zhōng zài tā xīn zhōng huī zhī bù qù.

That searingly painful memory has always lingered in his mind.

Related Characters

Component: 勺

Component: 火

灼