About
The character 焦, structurally composed of 隹 denoting a bird and 火 representing fire, originally conveyed the concrete idea of scorching or burning, derived from the image of a bird over flames. This core meaning facilitated a natural extension into describing states of anxiety or worry, metaphorically linking physical heat to emotional agitation. Over time, its applications broadened to include the browning of food through cooking, and further abstract uses such as in the term for focus, where it implies a point of concentrated intensity akin to a burn point. While its graphical form has remained consistent, the semantic journey of 焦 reflects a gradual shift from literal burning to various figurative and specialized meanings, all connected to its etymological origin.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我的面包烤焦了。
焦糖蛋糕很好吃。
他看起来很焦急。
焦点放在问题上。
他因焦虑而失眠。
火灾后房屋焦黑。
焦炭用于钢铁生产。
焦耳是能量单位。