unknown, 7 strokes, radical 火, rank #17717, Very Hard
灼
zhuó
burning
unknown, 7 strokes, radical 火, rank #17717, Very Hard
zhuó(zhuo2) T2
1to burn, to cauterize; bright
2luminous
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March 24, 2026
灼zhuó(zhuo2)
The character 灼 (zhuó) primarily means 'to burn' or 'to cauterize.' It can also describe something that is bright or luminous, often evoking imagery of intense heat or light. This character is commonly used in medical contexts, particularly relating to cauterization, as well as in poetic expressions to describe vivid brightness.
Strokes7Radical火Frequency#17717DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, cauterization is a technique used in various treatments, making 灼 relevant in cultural discussions about health practices. The bright and burning connotations of the character also resonate with Chinese poetry that often celebrates the beauty of light.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bright flame that not only burns but also leaves a lasting mark, like a cauterized wound. The left part of the character, '火' (fire), signifies heat, while the right side suggests action. Think of 'zhuó' as the sound of a sizzling fire burning brightly.
Meanings of 灼
zhuó(zhuo2)
1to burn, to cauterize; bright
2luminous
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 灼
灼Simplified
7Strokes
火Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 灼
Podcast: 灼
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AI Study Notes for 灼
Quick Contrast
灼 (zhuó) vs 烧 (shāo) — use 灼 for cauterization or intense brightness, while 烧 refers more generally to burning or cooking.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 灼 with similar-sounding words, as the tone can change the meaning entirely. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, but is often found in medical or literary discussions. Common collocations include '灼烧' (to burn) and '灼热' (burning hot).
HSK Study Tips
While 灼 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to HSK level 4 words such as '火' (fire) and '亮' (bright). Students should focus on the characters' radicals and related vocabulary to enhance understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 灼 with '灼热' (zhuó rè), which means burning hot. It's important to use the correct context, as using 灼 alone can lead to confusion about whether you are discussing burning or the sensation of heat.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 灼
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Phonosemantic compound. 火 represents the meaning and 勺 represents the sound.
1The meaning half火 carries the sense.
2The sound half勺 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayfire
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 灼? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 灼?
Decomposition of 灼
IDS Structure⿰火勺
灼Full Character
=
火Huo3
left
勺shao2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 灼?
How to say to burn, to cauterize; bright in Chinese
“to burn, to cauterize; bright” in Chinese is灼zhuó
The character 灼 (zhuó) primarily means 'to burn' or 'to cauterize.' It can also describe something that is bright or luminous, often evoking imagery of intense heat or light. This character is commonly used in medical contexts, particularly relating to cauterization, as well as in poetic expressions to describe vivid brightness.
When to use 灼
Be careful not to confuse 灼 with similar-sounding words, as the tone can change the meaning entirely. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, but is often found in medical or literary discussions. Common collocations include '灼烧' (to burn) and '灼热' (burning hot).
灼 or something close to it
灼 (zhuó) vs 烧 (shāo) — use 灼 for cauterization or intense brightness, while 烧 refers more generally to burning or cooking.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 灼 with '灼热' (zhuó rè), which means burning hot. It's important to use the correct context, as using 灼 alone can lead to confusion about whether you are discussing burning or the sensation of heat.
Write 灼
灼
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Practice writing 灼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 灼
灼 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
双手可能会有种刺痛感或____热感。
A sensation of burning or tingling may be experienced in the hands.
