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蜡烛 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
蜡烛
làzhú
candle
HSK 7, n, 24 strokes, rank #3983, Very Hard
làzhú(la4zhu2)la zhu T4
1candle
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
蜡烛(蠟燭)làzhú(la4zhu2)
蜡烛 (làzhú) refers to a candle, a source of light made from wax with a wick. It is commonly used for illumination, decoration, or during ceremonies, symbolizing warmth and hope.
Strokes24Frequency#3983DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, candles are often used during festivals like the Lantern Festival or in religious practices to symbolize remembrance and the guiding of spirits.
Memory tip
Imagine a 'lazy' (sounds like 'la') candle ('蜡烛') that melts slowly, leaving a trail of wax. Visualize the melting wax creating a pool of light, making it easier to remember both the shape of the character and its meaning.
Meanings of 蜡烛
làzhú(la4zhu2)
1candle
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 蜡烛 means.
About 蜡烛
蜡烛Simplified
蠟燭Traditional
24Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3983Frequency Rank
根Measure Word
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 蜡烛
Podcast: 蜡烛
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AI Study Notes for 蜡烛
Quick Contrast
蜡烛 (làzhú) vs 蜡 (là) — choose 蜡烛 for a complete candle, while 蜡 refers only to wax material.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 蜡烛 with other words for light sources, such as 灯 (dēng) which refers to lamps. While 蜡烛 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is particularly associated with special occasions like birthdays or religious ceremonies.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 蜡烛 connects to other vocabulary related to light and celebration. Students should focus on its usage in various contexts and related expressions, such as 点蜡烛 (light a candle).
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using the wrong measure word, such as saying 一块蜡烛 instead of 一根蜡烛. Remember to use 根 or 支 as the correct classifiers.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蜡烛
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Knowing 蜡烛 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.
蜡烛 (làzhú) refers to a candle, a source of light made from wax with a wick. It is commonly used for illumination, decoration, or during ceremonies, symbolizing warmth and hope.
When to use 蜡烛
Learners often confuse 蜡烛 with other words for light sources, such as 灯 (dēng) which refers to lamps. While 蜡烛 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is particularly associated with special occasions like birthdays or religious ceremonies.
蜡烛 or something close to it
蜡烛 (làzhú) vs 蜡 (là) — choose 蜡烛 for a complete candle, while 蜡 refers only to wax material.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is using the wrong measure word, such as saying 一块蜡烛 instead of 一根蜡烛. Remember to use 根 or 支 as the correct classifiers.
Write 蜡烛
蜡
烛
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Practice writing 蜡烛 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 蜡烛
蜡烛 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). 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____和一面镜子。
The only wall decorations are candles and a single mirror.
Example Sentences for 蜡烛 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
墙上唯一的装饰是几支蜡烛和一面镜子。
qiáng shàng wéi yī de zhuāng shì shì jī zhī là zhú hé yī miàn jìng zǐ。
The only wall decorations are candles and a single mirror.
2
流浪汉从深口袋里掏出了一截蜡烛。
liú làng hàn cóng shēn kǒu dài lǐ tāo chū le yī jié là zhú。
The tramp produced a stump of candle from his deep pockets.
3
他擦了一根火柴把蜡烛点亮.
tā cā le yī gēn huǒ chái bǎ là zhú diǎn liàng.
He struck a light and set the candle going.
4
喂, 这不是蜡烛油和粘土 吗 ?在你衣服上. ”
wèi, , zhè bù shì là zhú yóu hé nián tǔ? ma ? zài nǐ.”
Say -- ain't this grease and clay, on your clothes? "
5
这根蜡烛完全烧尽了。
zhè gēn là zhú wán quán shāo jìn le。
The candle had burned right down.
6
两根蜡烛上的蜡燃烧时熔化在一起.
liǎng gēn là zhú shàng de là rán shāo shí róng huà zài yī qǐ.
The wax from the two candles fused as they burned.
