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蜡 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
蜡
là
candle
HSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 虫, rank #8092, Very Hard
蜡
là
wax
HSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 虫, rank #8092, Very Hard
蜡
là
candle, wax; maggot
HSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 虫, rank #8092, Very Hard
là(la4)la T4
1candle
2wax
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March 24, 2026
蜡(蠟)là(la4)
The character 蜡 (là) primarily means 'candle' or 'wax.' It is commonly used in contexts related to lighting, crafting, or traditional ceremonies where candles are utilized. Additionally, it can refer to wax in general, making it relevant in discussions about art, cosmetics, or food preservation.
Strokes14Radical虫Frequency#8092DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, candles made from 蜡 are often used in religious ceremonies and ancestral worship, symbolizing the connection between the living and the deceased. The act of lighting candles is a way to honor ancestors and is an important aspect of festivals like Qingming.
Memory tip
Imagine a candle made of wax that melts slowly, creating a pool of liquid. The character 蜡 visually resembles a candle standing tall, with the top part suggesting the flame and the bottom part representing the wax pooling below. Remember the pronunciation 'là' by thinking of a 'lit' candle that produces a warm glow.
Meanings of 蜡
là(la4)
1candle
2wax
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 蜡 means.
About 蜡
蜡Simplified
蠟Traditional
14Strokes
虫Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8092Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 蜡
Podcast: 蜡
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AI study notes for 蜡
Quick Contrast
蜡 (là) vs 蜡烛 (làzhú) — use 蜡 for general wax or candle contexts, while 蜡烛 specifically refers to a candle.
Usage Notes
When using 蜡, be cautious about its context to avoid confusion with similar words. It is typically used in informal contexts, but can also appear in more formal discussions about materials or traditions. Common collocations include 蜡烛 (làzhú), meaning 'candle,' and 蜡笔 (làbǐ), meaning 'crayon.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 蜡 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects with other everyday vocabulary related to light and materials. Students should focus on understanding its usage in relation to candles and wax products, which often appear in conversations about culture and daily activities.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 蜡 with similar-sounding words such as 辣 (là, meaning 'spicy'). An example mistake would be using 蜡 to describe something spicy, which is incorrect; the correct term for spicy is 辣.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蜡
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 蜡 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.
蜡 = 虫 + 昔. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 蜡
IDS Structure⿰虫昔
蜡Full character
=
虫chong2
left
昔Xi1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 蜡?
How to say candle in Chinese
“candle” in Chinese is蜡là
The character 蜡 (là) primarily means 'candle' or 'wax.' It is commonly used in contexts related to lighting, crafting, or traditional ceremonies where candles are utilized. Additionally, it can refer to wax in general, making it relevant in discussions about art, cosmetics, or food preservation.
When to use 蜡
When using 蜡, be cautious about its context to avoid confusion with similar words. It is typically used in informal contexts, but can also appear in more formal discussions about materials or traditions. Common collocations include 蜡烛 (làzhú), meaning 'candle,' and 蜡笔 (làbǐ), meaning 'crayon.'
蜡 or something close to it
蜡 (là) vs 蜡烛 (làzhú) — use 蜡 for general wax or candle contexts, while 蜡烛 specifically refers to a candle.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 蜡 with similar-sounding words such as 辣 (là, meaning 'spicy'). An example mistake would be using 蜡 to describe something spicy, which is incorrect; the correct term for spicy is 辣.
Write 蜡
蜡
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Practice writing 蜡 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 蜡
蜡 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____烛和一面镜子。
The only wall decorations are candles and a single mirror.
Say -- ain't this grease and clay, on your clothes? "
10
这根蜡烛完全烧尽了。
zhè gēn làzhú wánquán shāo jìn le。
The candle had burned right down.
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Cultural Notes for 蜡
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
Unlike in many Western cultures where candles are primarily decorative or aromatic, in Chinese culture, they hold significant spiritual meaning tied to honoring ancestors and rituals.
Word Family of 蜡
Words containing this character20
蜡烛làzhúcandle蠟燭
蜡làwax蠟
蜡笔làbǐcrayon蠟筆
石蜡shílàparaffin wax石蠟
蜡像馆làxiàngguǎnwaxworks蠟像館
打蜡dǎlàto wax (a car, floor etc)打蠟
蜡染làrǎnbatik (color printing on cloth using wax)蠟染
发蜡fàlàpomade髮蠟
蜂蜡fēnglàbeeswax蜂蠟
蜡纸làzhǐwax paper蠟紙
白蜡báilàwhite wax from Chinese white wax bug (Ericerus pela)白蠟
味同嚼蜡wèitóngjiáolàtasteless味同嚼蠟
蜜蜡mìlàbeeswax蜜蠟
白蜡树báilàshùChinese ash (Fraxinus chinensis), whose bark, flowers and leaves are used in TCM白蠟樹
黄蜡huánglàbeeswax黃蠟
嚼蜡jiáolàinsipid嚼蠟
蜡疗làliáowax therapy (used to treat arthritis etc)蠟療
蜡台làtáicandlestick蠟臺
吹灯拔蜡chuīdēngbálàfig. to die吹燈拔蠟
坐蜡zuòlàto be embarrassed坐蠟
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 蜡
What does 蜡烛 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 蜡
It is pronounced as 'là' with a falling tone.
蜡 (là) refers to wax in general, while 蜡烛 (làzhú) specifically means 'candle.'
Yes, 蜡 can refer to food-grade wax used in preserving certain foods, but it’s important to specify the type of wax.
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