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熄 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
熄xīto extinguishv, 14 strokes, radical 火, rank #11607, Hard
熄xīto put out (fire)v, 14 strokes, radical 火, rank #11607, Hard
熄xīto quenchv, 14 strokes, radical 火, rank #11607, Hard
熄xīto stop burningv, 14 strokes, radical 火, rank #11607, Hard
熄xīto go out (of fire, lamp etc)v, 14 strokes, radical 火, rank #11607, Hard
熄xīto come to an endv, 14 strokes, radical 火, rank #11607, Hard
熄xīto wither awayv, 14 strokes, radical 火, rank #11607, Hard
熄xīto die outv, 14 strokes, radical 火, rank #11607, Hard
熄xīTaiwan pr. [xí]v, 14 strokes, radical 火, rank #11607, Hard
熄xīto extinguish, to put out, to quenchv, 14 strokes, radical 火, rank #11607, Hard
熄xīTaiwan pr. [xi2]unknown, 14 strokes, radical 火, rank #11607, Hard
xī(xi1) T1
  1. 1to extinguish
  2. 2to put out (fire)
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March 24, 2026

熄xī(xi1)

The character 熄 (xī) means to extinguish or put out, typically in reference to fire or light. It can also imply the cessation of something, such as an end to an activity or the fading away of life. This term is often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Strokes14Radical火Frequency#11607DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the act of extinguishing a fire can symbolize not just the end of a physical flame but also the end of a situation or emotion, reflecting a perspective on change and impermanence.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bright flame that suddenly goes out (熄). The character has the radical 火 (huǒ) which means 'fire,' reminding you that this word relates to extinguishing flames. Picture a firefighter (xī) quickly extinguishing a fire to help remember the pronunciation.

Meanings of 熄

xī(xi1)
1to extinguish
2to put out (fire)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 熄

熄Simplified
14Strokes
火Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#11607Frequency Rank

Podcast: 熄

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Podcast: 熄

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 熄

Quick Contrast

熄 (xī) vs 灭 (miè) — use 熄 for putting out a fire or light, while 灭 indicates complete destruction or extinction.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a bright flame that suddenly goes out (熄). The character has the radical 火 (huǒ) which means 'fire,' reminding you that this word relates to extinguishing flames. Picture a firefighter (xī) quickly extinguishing a fire to help remember the pronunciation.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 熄 with similar terms that involve starting something, like 点 (diǎn), which means to light or ignite. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of the tone when pronouncing to avoid misunderstanding.

HSK Study Tips

While 熄 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to other Level 3 and 4 words like 灯 (dēng - lamp) and 火 (huǒ - fire). Students should focus on recognizing it in context, especially regarding discussions about fire safety or extinguishing flames.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the act of extinguishing a fire can symbolize not just the end of a physical flame but also the end of a situation or emotion, reflecting a perspective on change and impermanence.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 熄 and 关 (guān), which means to turn off. For example, saying '熄灯' (xī dēng) is correct for 'extinguishing a light,' but saying '关火' (guān huǒ) means to turn off the fire, not extinguish it.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 熄

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Etymology of 熄

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

To end 息 a flame 火; 息 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 熄?

Decomposition of 熄

IDS Structure⿰火息
熄Full Character
=
火Huo3
left
息xi1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 熄?

Write 熄

熄

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

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Grammar Patterns of 熄

熄 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 11 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 5

Complete the Sentence

灯____了，屋里陷入一片漆黑。

The light went out, and the room was plunged into darkness.

Example Sentences for 熄 (10)

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1
灯熄了，屋里陷入一片漆黑。

dēng xī le， ， wū lǐ xiàn rù yī piàn qī。

The light went out, and the room was plunged into darkness.
2
飞机快到机场时，本来有故障的左引擎突然熄火，引发了灾难。

fēi jī kuài dào jī cháng shí， ， běn lái yǒu gù zhàng de zuǒ yǐn qíng tū rán xī， huǒ ， yǐn fā le。

The faulty left-hand engine failed catastrophically as the aircraft approached the airport.
3
格拉斯停好车，熄了火。

gé lā sī tíng hǎo chē， ， xī le。

Glass parked the car and switched the engine off.
4
那支已熄灭的香烟仍在他指间。

nà zhī yǐ xī miè de xiāng yān réng zài tā zhǐ jiān。

The dead cigarette was still between his fingers.
5
一旦大火熄灭，救援小组就会马上进入。

yī dàn dà huǒ xī miè， ， jiù yuán xiǎo zǔ jiù huì mǎ shàng jìn。

Once the fire has died out, the salvage team will move in.
6
你的脚离开踏板，汽车便会熄火。

nǐ de jiǎo lí kāi tà bǎn， ， qì chē biàn huì xī。

Your foot falls off the pedal and you stall the car.
7
我刚发动引擎时，引擎冒出火星，发出长长的嘶声，然后就熄火了。

wǒ gāng fā dòng yǐn qíng shí， ， yǐn qíng mào chū huǒ， xīng ， fā chū cháng cháng de， sī shēng ， rán hòu jiù。

When I started the engine it sparked, fizzed and went dead.
8
请乘客在飞机起飞前熄灭香烟.

qǐng chéng kè zài fēi jī qǐ fēi qián xī miè xiāng yān.

Would passengers please put out cigarettes before the commencement of the flight.
9
这里禁止吸烟, 请将您的烟熄灭.

zhè lǐ jīn zhǐ xī yān, , qǐng jiāng nín de yān xī.

Smoking is forbidden here. Please put your cigarette out.
10
随着水从窗子漫进来，灯全部熄灭了。

suí zháo shuǐ cóng chuāng zǐ màn jìn lái， ， dēng quán bù xī miè。

As the water came in the windows, all the lights went off.

Cultural Notes for 熄

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the act of extinguishing a fire can symbolize not just the end of a physical flame but also the end of a situation or emotion, reflecting a perspective on change and impermanence.

Word Family of 熄

Words Containing This Character4
熄灭xīmièto stop burning熄滅
熄xīto extinguish
熄火xīhuǒto put out (fire)
熄灯lights out熄燈
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 熄灭 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 熄

You can say '熄灭火焰' (xīmiè huǒyàn), meaning 'extinguish the flame.'