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March 24, 2026
烛(燭)zhú(zhu2)
The character 烛 (zhú) primarily means 'candle' and is used to refer to the traditional source of light made from wax and a wick. It can also be used in a literary context to mean 'to illuminate' or 'to shine,' often symbolizing enlightenment or guidance in various texts.
Strokes10Radical火Frequency#27733DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, candles are often used in traditional rituals and celebrations, symbolizing warmth, hope, and guidance. For instance, candles play a significant role during the Lantern Festival, illuminating the night sky and guiding spirits.
Memory Tip
Imagine a glowing candle (烛) that lights up the dark. The character itself resembles a flame atop a stick, with the top representing the flame and the bottom the base. Remember 'zhú' by envisioning a 'zoo' of candles illuminating the darkness.
Meanings of 烛
zhú(zhu2)
1candle
2(literary) to illuminate
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 烛
烛Simplified
燭Traditional
10Strokes
火Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#27733Frequency Rank
Podcast: 烛
Podcast: 烛
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AI Study Notes for 烛
Quick Contrast
蜡烛 (làzhú) - specifically refers to 'wax candle', while 烛 (zhú) is a more general term for 'candle' that can include various types.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a glowing candle (烛) that lights up the dark. The character itself resembles a flame atop a stick, with the top representing the flame and the bottom the base. Remember 'zhú' by envisioning a 'zoo' of candles illuminating the darkness.
Usage Notes
In informal settings, 烛 can be used in phrases like '点烛' (light the candle), but in formal writing, it may appear in more poetic contexts. A common mistake is confusing 烛 with 蜡 (là, wax), which refers to the material rather than the candle itself. Pay attention to tone; zhú should be pronounced with a rising tone.
HSK Study Tips
Although 烛 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it connects with other HSK words related to light and illumination, like 光 (guāng, light) and 明 (míng, bright). Focus on the contexts in which 烛 appears to build a richer understanding of describing light.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, candles are often used in traditional rituals and celebrations, symbolizing warmth, hope, and guidance. For instance, candles play a significant role during the Lantern Festival, illuminating the night sky and guiding spirits.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use the word 烛 to describe any light source, but it specifically refers to candles. For example, saying '电灯是烛' (diàn dēng shì zhú, 'the electric light is a candle') is incorrect; it should be '电灯是灯' (diàn dēng shì dēng, 'the electric light is a lamp').
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 烛
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Grammar Patterns of 烛
烛 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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
墙上唯一的装饰是几支蜡____和一面镜子。
The only wall decorations are candles and a single mirror.
Example Sentences for 烛 (10)
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1
墙上唯一的装饰是几支蜡烛和一面镜子。
qiáng shàng wéi yī de zhuāng shì shì jī zhī là zhú hé yī miàn jìng zǐ。
The only wall decorations are candles and a single mirror.
2
流浪汉从深口袋里掏出了一截蜡烛。
liú làng hàn cóng shēn kǒu dài lǐ tāo chū le yī jié là zhú。
The tramp produced a stump of candle from his deep pockets.
3
再没什么比烛光更能营造浪漫气氛了。
zài méi shí mó bǐ zhú guāng gēng néng yíng zào làng màn qì fēn le。
There's nothing like candlelight for creating a romantic mood.
4
餐桌上的烛光为安东尼奥餐厅营造了浪漫气氛.
cān zhuō shàng de zhú guāng wéi ān dōng ní ào cān tīng yíng zào le làng màn qì fēn.
Candlelit tables give Antonio's Restaurant a very romantic atmosphere.
5
他擦了一根火柴把蜡烛点亮.
tā cā le yī gēn huǒ chái bǎ là zhú diǎn liàng.
He struck a light and set the candle going.
6
一支孤烛照亮着黑暗的地窖.
yī zhī gū zhú zhào liàng zháo hēi àn de dì jiào.
A solitary candle lightened the darkness of the cellar.
7
喂, 这不是蜡烛油和粘土 吗 ?在你衣服上. ”
wèi, , zhè bù shì là zhú yóu hé nián tǔ? ma ? zài nǐ.”
Say -- ain't this grease and clay, on your clothes? "
8
这根蜡烛完全烧尽了。
zhè gēn là zhú wán quán shāo jìn le。
The candle had burned right down.
9
两根蜡烛上的蜡燃烧时熔化在一起.
liǎng gēn là zhú shàng de là rán shāo shí róng huà zài yī qǐ.
The wax from the two candles fused as they burned.
In Chinese culture, candles are often used in traditional rituals and celebrations, symbolizing warmth, hope, and guidance. For instance, candles play a significant role during the Lantern Festival, illuminating the night sky and guiding spirits.
Word Family of 烛
Words Containing This Character11
蜡烛làzhúcandle蠟燭
烛光candle light燭光
烛zhúcandle燭
烛台candlestick燭臺
香烛joss stick and candle香燭
洞房花烛bridal room and ornamented candles洞房花燭
红烛red candle (used during birthdays and other celebrations)紅燭
风烛残年one's late days風燭殘年
火烛fire and candles火燭
秉烛by bright candlelight秉燭
风中之烛lit. candle in the wind (idiom)風中之燭
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 蜡烛 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 烛
You can say '点烛' (diǎn zhú) for 'to light a candle'.
Yes, while 烛 is more common in literary contexts, it can still be used in everyday conversation, especially when discussing traditional practices.
