Definitions

lào to brand; to iron; to bake (in a pan)
luò used in 炮烙[páo luò]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "烙" is structured with the fire radical on the left and the phonetic component "各" on the right, indicating its inherent association with heat-based actions. Its original meaning centered on the act of branding or marking with a hot iron, often applied to livestock or objects for identification. Over centuries, this semantic field expanded to include culinary techniques where food is cooked through direct contact with a hot surface, such as pan-frying flatbreads or searing meats. The fire element has remained a constant visual cue for its thermal nature, while the character's usage broadened from a specific manual practice to encompass a range of domestic cooking methods, reflecting both its etymological roots and adaptive application in daily life.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

妈妈在厨房饼。

Māma zài chúfáng lào bǐng.

Mom is making griddle cakes in the kitchen.

那块铁上有一个印。

Nà kuài tiě shàng yǒu yī gè làoyìn.

There is a brand on that piece of iron.

他用铁修理电器。

Tā yòng làotiě xiūlǐ diànqì.

He uses a soldering iron to repair electrical appliances.

衣服需要小心。

Lào yīfu xūyào xiǎoxīn.

Ironing clothes requires care.

爷爷在院子里了一块铁板。

Yéye zài yuànzi lǐ lào le yī kuài tiě bǎn.

Grandpa branded an iron plate in the yard.

这段经历在他心中留下了深深的印。

Zhè duàn jīnglì zài tā xīnzhōng liú xià le shēnshēn de làoyìn.

This experience left a deep brand in his heart.

厨师正在用平底锅美味的煎饼。

Chúshī zhèngzài yòng píngdǐguō lào měiwèi de jiānbǐng.

The chef is using a frying pan to make delicious pancakes.

通过高温制,这种材料能够形成持久的图案。

Tōngguò gāowēn lào zhì, zhè zhǒng cáiliào nénggòu xíngchéng chíjiǔ de tú'àn.

Through high-temperature branding, this material can form durable patterns.