炙

zhì

⺀ + 火 + 𠂊

Definitions

zhì to broil; to roast

Etymology

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

Semantic: 火 Phonetic: 月

About

炙 is a phonosemantic compound: 火 (fire) conveys the meaning, while 月, a variant of 肉 (meat), indicates the sound. The structure, meat placed over fire, directly depicts roasting, broiling, or grilling. From this literal culinary sense, it developed figurative meanings of intense heat, proximity to power, and harsh conditions, used in classical idioms for environmental influence or pressure from authority.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们在炙烤羊肉串。

Wǒmen zài zhìkǎo yángròu chuàn.

We are grilling lamb skewers.

夏日的阳光炙烤着大地。

Xiàrì de yángguāng zhìkǎo zhe dàdì.

The summer sun scorches the earth.

他喜欢吃炙烤过的三文鱼。

Tā xǐhuan chī zhìkǎo guò de sānwényú.

He likes to eat grilled salmon.

炉火正旺，炙得人脸颊发烫。

Lúhuǒ zhèng wàng, zhì dé rén liǎnjiá fātàng.

The stove fire is blazing, scorching people's cheeks until they feel hot.

这种炙热的感情令人难忘。

Zhè zhǒng zhìrè de gǎnqíng lìng rén nánwàng.

This kind of ardent emotion is unforgettable.

铁板炙烧着新鲜的牛肉。

Tiěbǎn zhì shāo zhe xīnxiān de niúròu.

The iron plate is searing the fresh beef.

众人的目光仿佛炙热的聚光灯。

Zhòngrén de mùguāng fǎngfú zhìrè de jùguāngdēng.

The gaze of the crowd was like a scorching spotlight.

他内心那份炙人的欲望从未熄灭。

Tā nèixīn nà fèn zhì rén de yùwàng cóng wèi xīmiè.

That burning desire within his heart has never been extinguished.

Related Characters

Component: ⺀

Component: 火

Component: 𠂊

炙