Meanings of 着火
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Podcast: 着火
Podcast: 着火
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AI Study Notes for 着火
着火 (to catch fire) vs 点火 (to ignite/start a fire) — use 着火 when referring to something that is already on fire, while 点火 is used for the act of starting a fire.
Be careful not to confuse 着火 with other similar phrases like 点火 (diǎn huǒ), which means 'to light' or 'to ignite' something intentionally, like a candle. 着火 is more about the unintended ignition or catching fire. This term is often used in urgent discussions, so a more formal context may require additional clarifications.
As an HSK 5 word, 着火 connects to other vocabulary related to safety and emergencies. Students should focus on practical scenarios where this term might be used, such as discussing fire safety or emergency responses. Learning related terms like 灭火 (miè huǒ, to extinguish fire) can also be beneficial.
Learners often mistakenly say '着火的房子' when they should simply say '房子着火了' to convey that the house is on fire. Remember to use the correct sentence structure for clarity.
Pronunciation of 着火
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Component Characters
How to say to ignite in Chinese
“to ignite” in Chinese is着火
着火 (zhao2 huo3) means 'to ignite' or 'to catch fire.' It is commonly used to describe something that is on fire or the act of starting a fire, often in emergency contexts such as house fires or wildfires. This phrase can also indicate the state of being on fire, making it versatile in both literal and figurative uses.
When to use 着火
Be careful not to confuse 着火 with other similar phrases like 点火 (diǎn huǒ), which means 'to light' or 'to ignite' something intentionally, like a candle. 着火 is more about the unintended ignition or catching fire. This term is often used in urgent discussions, so a more formal context may require additional clarifications.
着火 or something close to it
着火 (to catch fire) vs 点火 (to ignite/start a fire) — use 着火 when referring to something that is already on fire, while 点火 is used for the act of starting a fire.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly say '着火的房子' when they should simply say '房子着火了' to convey that the house is on fire. Remember to use the correct sentence structure for clarity.
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Grammar Patterns of 着火
着火 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 2 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这架喷气式飞机突然____，急速坠地。
The jet burst into flames and plummeted to the ground.
Example Sentences for 着火 (10)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 着火
You can say '房子着火了' (fángzi zháo huǒ le) meaning 'The house is on fire.'
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