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烛 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
烛
zhú
candle
n, 10 strokes, radical 火, rank #27733, Very Hard
烛
zhú
(literary) to illuminate
n, 10 strokes, radical 火, rank #27733, Very Hard
烛
zhú
candle, taper; to illuminate, to shine
n, 10 strokes, radical 火, rank #27733, Very Hard
zhú(zhu2)zhu T2
1candle
2(literary) to illuminate
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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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 烛 means.
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.
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.
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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Tone practice
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 烛 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.
烛 = 火 + 虫. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 烛
IDS Structure⿰火虫
烛Full character
=
火Huo3
left
虫chong2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 烛?
How to say candle in Chinese
“candle” in Chinese is烛zhú
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.
When to use 烛
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.
烛 or something close to it
蜡烛 (làzhú) - specifically refers to 'wax candle', while 烛 (zhú) is a more general term for 'candle' that can include various types.
What learners get wrong
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').
Write 烛
烛
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Practice writing 烛 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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.
