Definitions

zhuó (verb) to burn; to scorch
zhuó (adjective) burning; hot

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

Composed of the fire radical 火 and the phonetic element 勺, the character 灼 originally denoted the act of burning or scorching, with its structure clearly indicating its association with fire, while the phonetic component offers insight into its historical pronunciation. Over time, its semantic range broadened from purely physical combustion to include metaphorical qualities of light and intensity, such as in describing something as bright or luminous, and further into abstract realms of perceptive clarity, exemplified in compounds like 灼见 meaning insightful view. This shift from concrete action to abstract quality demonstrates how the character's meaning has adapted within the language, maintaining its foundational link to fire yet accommodating extended uses that highlight illumination in both literal and intellectual contexts.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

阳光热,天气真好啊。

Yáng guāng zhuó rè, tiān qì zhēn hǎo ā.

The sun is scorching, the weather is so nice.

他的手被火焰伤了。

Tā de shǒu bèi huǒ yàn zhuó shāng le.

His hand was burned by the flame.

她的目光,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.