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焰火 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
焰火yànhuǒfireworksHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #14154, Very Hard
yànhuǒ(yan4huo3) T4
  1. 1fireworks
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March 24, 2026

焰火yànhuǒ(yan4huo3)

焰火 refers to fireworks, which are explosive devices designed to create visual and auditory effects. Commonly used during festivals and celebrations, they symbolize joy and festivity in Chinese culture, often illuminating the night sky with vibrant colors and patterns.

Strokes16Frequency#14154DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

Fireworks are integral to major Chinese celebrations, especially during the Lunar New Year, symbolizing the warding off of evil spirits and the welcoming of good fortune. The loud sounds and bright displays are believed to scare away negative energies.

Memory Tip

Think of 焰 as 'flame' (焰) and 火 as 'fire' (火). Picture a spectacular display of flames and fires lighting up the night sky, making it unforgettable. The sound 'yan' rhymes with 'fan,' which you might use to cool off after a lively fireworks show.

Meanings of 焰火

yànhuǒ(yan4huo3)
1fireworks
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About 焰火

焰火Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 焰火

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Podcast: 焰火

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AI Study Notes for 焰火

Quick Contrast

烟花 (yānhuā) - use 焰火 for larger, more explosive fireworks displays, while 烟花 typically refers to smaller, decorative fireworks.

Usage Notes

In informal contexts, you might hear the term used casually among friends when discussing celebrations. Be careful with the tones: '焰' (yan4) must be pronounced with a falling tone, while '火' (huo3) has a dipping tone. A common collocation is '放焰火' (to set off fireworks).

HSK Study Tips

焰火 is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary but can be useful for HSK 3 learners as it combines basic characters. Focus on recognizing the radicals: '火' (fire) is a common component that appears in many related words, helping to build vocabulary around fire-related concepts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 焰火 with 烟花, leading to incorrect usage in contexts. Remember that 焰火 focuses on the explosive aspect, while 烟花 emphasizes the visual elements.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 焰火

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Component Characters

焰yànflame
12 strokes火
View full entry
火huǒfire
HSK 44 strokes火
View full entry

How to say fireworks in Chinese

“fireworks” in Chinese is焰火yànhuǒ

焰火 refers to fireworks, which are explosive devices designed to create visual and auditory effects. Commonly used during festivals and celebrations, they symbolize joy and festivity in Chinese culture, often illuminating the night sky with vibrant colors and patterns.

When to use 焰火

In informal contexts, you might hear the term used casually among friends when discussing celebrations. Be careful with the tones: '焰' (yan4) must be pronounced with a falling tone, while '火' (huo3) has a dipping tone. A common collocation is '放焰火' (to set off fireworks).

焰火 or something close to it

烟花 (yānhuā) - use 焰火 for larger, more explosive fireworks displays, while 烟花 typically refers to smaller, decorative fireworks.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 焰火 with 烟花, leading to incorrect usage in contexts. Remember that 焰火 focuses on the explosive aspect, while 烟花 emphasizes the visual elements.

Write 焰火

焰
火

Practice writing 焰火 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 焰火

焰火 and 烟花 both refer to fireworks, but 烟花 typically emphasizes the visual aspects, while 焰火 can imply more about the explosive nature.

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