Meanings of 炽
By ear
Play it, then pick what 炽 means.
About 炽
Podcast: 炽
Podcast: 炽
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 炽
炽 (chì) vs 烧 (shāo) — use 炽 for intense burning or brilliance, while 烧 refers specifically to the act of cooking or incinerating.
Common mistakes include confusing 炽 with similar characters like 燃 (rán) which means to ignite. This character is more formal and is often used in literary contexts, so it’s best to avoid it in casual conversation. Be mindful of the tone; the correct pronunciation is with a falling tone (chì).
Although 炽 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK Level 4’s themes of nature and emotions, as students might encounter it in literary texts. Focus on recognizing its usage in descriptions of beauty or intensity.
Learners might use 炽 incorrectly when trying to express simple burning actions, like saying '我炽水' instead of '我烧水' (wǒ shāo shuǐ), which means 'I boil water.' Remember that 炽 is more about intensity and brilliance rather than just burning.
Pronunciation of 炽
Drill the tone of 炽 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 炽 to you
Let me explain 炽 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 炽 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
How well do you know 炽?
Learning Lab
Knowing 炽 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 炽
Phonosemantic compound. 火 represents the meaning and 只 represents the sound. Simplified form of 熾.
fire
Origin
炽 = 火 + 只. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 炽
Parts
Which of these is part of 炽?
How to say to burn, to blaze; splendid; intense in Chinese
“to burn, to blaze; splendid; intense” in Chinese is炽
The character 炽 (chì) primarily means to burn or blaze, often associated with intense heat or brightness. It can also describe something that is splendid or illustrious, such as a person's achievements or qualities, conveying a sense of brilliance or intensity in various contexts.
When to use 炽
Common mistakes include confusing 炽 with similar characters like 燃 (rán) which means to ignite. This character is more formal and is often used in literary contexts, so it’s best to avoid it in casual conversation. Be mindful of the tone; the correct pronunciation is with a falling tone (chì).
炽 or something close to it
炽 (chì) vs 烧 (shāo) — use 炽 for intense burning or brilliance, while 烧 refers specifically to the act of cooking or incinerating.
What learners get wrong
Learners might use 炽 incorrectly when trying to express simple burning actions, like saying '我炽水' instead of '我烧水' (wǒ shāo shuǐ), which means 'I boil water.' Remember that 炽 is more about intensity and brilliance rather than just burning.
Write 炽
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 炽 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 炽
炽 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
在主室里，____热的散热器暴露在外。
In the main rooms red-hot radiators were left exposed.
Example sentences for 炽 (6)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 炽?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
Word Family of 炽
Words with 炽
What does 炽热 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 炽
You might encounter phrases like 炽热 (chìrè), which means 'scorching heat,' or 炽烈 (chìliè), meaning 'intense' or 'fierce.'
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 炽?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.