unknown, 16 strokes, radical 火, rank #50095, Very Hard
燎
liáo
to set afire
unknown, 16 strokes, radical 火, rank #50095, Very Hard
燎
liǎo
to burn, to light; street lamp; signal fire
zg, 16 strokes, radical 火, rank #50095, Very Hard
燎
liǎo
to singe
unknown, 16 strokes, radical 火, rank #50095, Very Hard
燎
liǎo
to set afire
unknown, 16 strokes, radical 火, rank #50095, Very Hard
liáo(liao2)
primary
T2
1to burn, to light; street lamp; signal fire
2to singe
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March 24, 2026
燎liáo(liao2)
The character 燎 (liáo) refers to the act of burning or lighting something, often in a more intense or uncontrolled manner. It can also denote a signal fire or a street lamp. This character is commonly used in contexts related to fire, such as cooking, signaling, or even describing the effects of a fire on an object.
Strokes16Radical火Frequency#50095DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, fire has both practical uses and symbolic meanings, often associated with warmth, life, and purification. The character 燎 can evoke imagery of ancient signal fires used for communication between tribes or armies.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fierce fire (火) lighting up the night sky like a street lamp (灯), guiding travelers. The character 燎 combines the fire radical (火) with a component that suggests illumination, helping you remember that it involves burning and lighting.
Meanings of 燎
liáo(liao2)
primary
1to burn, to light; street lamp; signal fire
2to singe
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 燎
燎Simplified
16Strokes
火Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 燎
Podcast: 燎
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AI Study Notes for 燎
Quick Contrast
燃 (rán) - use 燎 for more intense or uncontrolled burning, while 燃 is for general burning or combustion.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fierce fire (火) lighting up the night sky like a street lamp (灯), guiding travelers. The character 燎 combines the fire radical (火) with a component that suggests illumination, helping you remember that it involves burning and lighting.
Usage Notes
Beware of using 燎 in overly formal contexts, as it can sound quite intense. It is often used in everyday conversation about fire, but might not be suitable for technical discussions about fire safety. Common collocations include 燎原 (liáoyuán), meaning to spread like fire.
HSK Study Tips
Although 燎 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other fire-related words such as 火 (huǒ - fire) and 燃 (rán - to burn). Students should focus on recognizing the fire radical and understanding its usage in various contexts.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, fire has both practical uses and symbolic meanings, often associated with warmth, life, and purification. The character 燎 can evoke imagery of ancient signal fires used for communication between tribes or armies.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 燎 with similar characters like 烧 (shāo - to burn) or 燃 (rán - to ignite), which have different nuances. For example, using 燎 to describe cooking might be incorrect; it's better to use 烧 in that context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 燎
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Grammar Patterns of 燎
燎 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 3
Complete the Sentence
他点烟时把头发给____了。
He singed his hair as he tried to light his cigarette.
Example Sentences for 燎 (2)
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1
他点烟时把头发给燎了。
tā diǎn yān shí bǎ tóu fā gěi liáo le。
He singed his hair as he tried to light his cigarette.
The sweat ran into Martiner's eyes. He was irritable and impatient.
Cultural Notes for 燎
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, fire has both practical uses and symbolic meanings, often associated with warmth, life, and purification. The character 燎 can evoke imagery of ancient signal fires used for communication between tribes or armies.
Word Family of 燎
Words Containing This Character5
燎原to start a prairie fire
燎liáoto burn
心急火燎to burn with anxiety
烟熏火燎smoke and baking fire (idiom); surrounded by flames and smoke煙燻火燎
火烧火燎restless with anxiety火燒火燎
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 燎原 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 燎
In everyday conversation, 燎 usually refers to burning or lighting something, like starting a fire or using a street lamp.
It is generally not used in formal writing as it conveys a strong sense of burning; more neutral terms are preferred.
Yes, it can be used positively when referring to the warmth and light of fire, such as in celebrations.
