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炬 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
炬jùtorchg, 8 strokes, radical 火, rank #32465, Very Hard
jù(ju4)ju T4
  1. 1torch
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March 24, 2026

炬jù(ju4)

The character 炬 (jù) refers to a 'torch' or 'flame' used for illumination. It commonly denotes a portable light source, often associated with providing guidance or hope in darkness. In literature, it can symbolize enlightenment and inspiration.

Strokes8Radical火Frequency#32465DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In ancient China, torches were often used during festivals and ceremonies, symbolizing the dispelling of darkness and the welcoming of light and good fortune.

Memory tip

Imagine holding a torch (炬) that lights your path. The character looks like a flame on top of a stick. Think of the 'j' in 'jù' as the flickering flame, guiding you through the dark.

Meanings of 炬

jù(ju4)
1torch
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 炬 means.

About 炬

炬Simplified
8Strokes
火Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 炬

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Podcast: 炬

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AI study notes for 炬

Quick Contrast

炬 (jù, torch) vs 火把 (huǒbǎ, torch) - use 炬 for literary or symbolic contexts, while 火把 is more common for practical use.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 炬 (torch) with related words like 火 (fire) or 灯 (lamp). While 炬 is more specific to torches, 火 is a broader term for fire. This word is more formal and might not be used in casual conversation.

HSK Study Tips

While 炬 is not included in the HSK levels, it can connect to words related to light and fire, such as 火 (huǒ) and 光 (guāng). Focus on recognizing its structure and practicing its usage in context.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 炬 with 灯 when discussing light sources in general. Remember that 炬 specifically refers to a torch, while 灯 refers to fixed lighting sources. An incorrect example would be saying '我需要一个炬来照亮房间' (I need a torch to light up the room), which should use 灯 instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 炬

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Etymology of 炬

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

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

Memory hint

fire

Semantic (meaning)火
+
Phonetic (sound)巨
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

炬 = 火 + 巨. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 炬

IDS Structure⿰火巨
炬Full character
=
火Huo3
left
巨ju4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 炬?

How to say torch in Chinese

“torch” in Chinese is炬jù

The character 炬 (jù) refers to a 'torch' or 'flame' used for illumination. It commonly denotes a portable light source, often associated with providing guidance or hope in darkness. In literature, it can symbolize enlightenment and inspiration.

When to use 炬

Be careful not to confuse 炬 (torch) with related words like 火 (fire) or 灯 (lamp). While 炬 is more specific to torches, 火 is a broader term for fire. This word is more formal and might not be used in casual conversation.

炬 or something close to it

炬 (jù, torch) vs 火把 (huǒbǎ, torch) - use 炬 for literary or symbolic contexts, while 火把 is more common for practical use.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mix up 炬 with 灯 when discussing light sources in general. Remember that 炬 specifically refers to a torch, while 灯 refers to fixed lighting sources. An incorrect example would be saying '我需要一个炬来照亮房间' (I need a torch to light up the room), which should use 灯 instead.

Write 炬

炬

Practice writing 炬 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 炬

炬 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

我的玩具在这场火中付之一____,这令我很难过。

I'm sad about my toys getting burned in the fire.

Example sentences for 炬 (5)

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1
我的玩具在这场火中付之一炬,这令我很难过。

wǒ de wánjù zài zhè chǎng huǒ zhōng fù zhīyī jù, zhè lìng wǒ hěn nánguò。

I'm sad about my toys getting burned in the fire.
2
大教堂在公元1136年的大火中被付之一炬。

dà jiàotáng zài gōngyuán1136 nián de dà huǒ zhōng bèi fù zhīyī jù。

The cathedral was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1136 AD.
3
我把这本坏书付之一炬.

wǒ bǎ zhè běn huài shū fù zhīyī jù.

I commit this evil book to the flames.
4
沿台阶每隔一段距离布置有燃烧着的火炬.

yán táijiē měi gé yī duàn jùlí bùzhì yǒu ránshāo zhe de huǒjù.

Flaming torches were positioned at intervals along the terrace.
5
整幢公寓大楼被付之一炬。

zhěng chuáng gōngyù dàlóu bèi fù zhīyī jù。

A complete tenement block was burnt to the ground.

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Word Family of 炬

Words containing this character3
火炬huǒjùa torch
炬jùtorch
付之一炬to put to the torch (idiom)
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 炬

What does 火炬 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 炬

灯 (dēng) refers to lamps or lights that are stationary, while 炬 specifically refers to a torch, which is portable and often used outdoors.

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