unknown, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #50611, Very Hard
炷
zhù
to burn (incense etc)
unknown, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #50611, Very Hard
炷
zhù
measure word for lit incense sticks
unknown, 9 strokes, radical 火, rank #50611, Very Hard
zhù(zhu4) T4
1candle wick; incense
2wick of an oil lamp
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March 24, 2026
炷zhù(zhu4)
The character 炷 (zhù) refers to a wick or the burning part of a candle or incense. It is commonly used in contexts related to lighting and burning, particularly regarding incense in rituals or ceremonies. The term can also serve as a measure word for sticks of incense.
Strokes9Radical火Frequency#50611DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, incense plays a significant role in ceremonies and spiritual practices, often used to honor ancestors or deities. The character 炷 encapsulates this tradition of burning incense as a means of communication with the spiritual world.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cozy room filled with the soft glow of candles. The character 炷 (zhù) has the radical 火 (fire), symbolizing burning, and its pronunciation 'zhù' can be remembered by thinking of a 'zooming wick' that lights up the room.
Meanings of 炷
zhù(zhu4)
1candle wick; incense
2wick of an oil lamp
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 炷
炷Simplified
9Strokes
火Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 炷
Podcast: 炷
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AI Study Notes for 炷
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a cozy room filled with the soft glow of candles. The character 炷 (zhù) has the radical 火 (fire), symbolizing burning, and its pronunciation 'zhù' can be remembered by thinking of a 'zooming wick' that lights up the room.
Usage Notes
While using 炷, be careful not to confuse it with similar characters related to fire. It is more formal and specific than casual terms for light sources. Common collocations include '点燃炷' (light a wick) and '香炷' (incense stick).
HSK Study Tips
Although 炷 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding it enhances your knowledge of characters related to fire and light, which are common in daily life. Focus on associating it with other related words like 灯 (light) and 香 (fragrance).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, incense plays a significant role in ceremonies and spiritual practices, often used to honor ancestors or deities. The character 炷 encapsulates this tradition of burning incense as a means of communication with the spiritual world.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 炷 with the more general 火 (fire) or 灯 (light), using it incorrectly in casual contexts. For example, saying '我点了一个炷' (I lit a wick) instead of '我点了一个蜡烛' (I lit a candle) is a common error.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 炷
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Cultural Notes for 炷
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, incense plays a significant role in ceremonies and spiritual practices, often used to honor ancestors or deities. The character 炷 encapsulates this tradition of burning incense as a means of communication with the spiritual world.
Word Family of 炷
Words Containing This Character1
炷zhùwick of an oil lamp
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 炷 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 炷
炷 specifically refers to wicks or burning materials like incense, while characters like 火 (fire) are more general.
No, 炷 is primarily used for incense sticks and the wicks of oil lamps, not for all candles.
It is more often found in formal or literary contexts, especially those related to rituals.
