着火

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Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"着火" (zháohuǒ) literally means "to catch fire" or "to ignite." It is commonly used to describe the start of a fire, whether accidental or intentional. It can refer to physical fires, such as in a kitchen or building, and metaphorically to emotions or situations that suddenly intensify.

Common Collocations

  • 厨房着火 (kitchen catches fire): often used in emergency or safety contexts.
  • 电线着火 (wiring catches fire): common in reports about electrical fires.
  • 着火 (ignition point): technical term for where fire starts.

Usage Notes

"着火" is a verb-object compound where "" indicates the action of catching or starting, and "" means fire. It is often used in past or completed actions with particles like . When used metaphorically, it conveys rapid escalation or ignition of feelings or situations.

Common Confusions

Do not confuse "着火" with "点火" (diǎnhuǒ), which means "to light a fire" intentionally, such as lighting a match. "着火" emphasizes the fire catching or starting, often unexpectedly.

Example Sentences

The oil pan in the kitchen suddenly caught fire, and everyone quickly used a

This old house caught fire due to a short circuit in the wiring;

His words caught fire like flames, igniting everyone's enthusiasm.