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The visible, hot, and often glowing gas or plasma produced by combustion.
森林大火烧毁了许多树木。
The wildfire destroyed many trees.
A destructive burning of something, typically as a weapon or in protest.
敌人放火烧了村庄。
The enemy set the village on fire.
A state of intense emotion or passion.
她的爱情之火熊熊燃烧。
Her love burned fiercely.
To cook food using direct heat.
妈妈正在火上炖汤。
Mom is simmering soup over the fire.
A red light on a traffic signal requiring vehicles to stop.
看到红灯亮了，司机踩了刹车。
The driver hit the brakes when the red light came on.
To shoot a gun or weapon.
士兵向敌人开火。
The soldier opened fire on the enemy.
A symbol of anger or aggression.
他眼睛冒火，气得说不出话来。
His eyes blazed with anger; he was too furious to speak.
A very hot or spicy flavor.
这道菜太火辣了！
This dish is too spicy!
火 is also a common radical in Chinese characters. Characters containing 火 often relate to fire, burning, or heat (e.g., 烤 kǎo 'to roast', 炒 chǎo 'to stir-fry').
火 can mean 'fire' literally, but also carries metaphorical meanings like passion, anger, or intensity. Always check the context to determine the intended meaning.
The character 火 (huǒ) originates from ancient Chinese oracle bone script (甲骨文), depicting a flame or fire. It has remained largely unchanged in form and meaning over millennia, representing the fundamental element of fire in Chinese culture and philosophy.
火 is one of the five elements (五行) in traditional Chinese cosmology, associated with the south, summer, and the heart in the Five Phases theory. It carries strong cultural significance beyond its literal meaning.