Meaning of 点燃
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to ignite
- to set on fire
- aflame
How to use 点燃
点燃 is a transitive verb, so it takes an object like a candle, a match, or a fuse. It is also used figuratively for sparking feelings or hope. Example: 他点燃了一支蜡烛。(Tā diǎnránle yì zhī làzhú.) He lit a candle.
点 (diǎn) means to touch a point, and 燃 (rán) has the fire radical 火 on the left, so you touch a point with fire and it starts to burn. Both characters carry fire: the four dots 灬 under 点 and the 火 in 燃.
Common mistake: Learners often write 燃 without the 火 on the left, confusing it with 然 (rán, so; like that), which only has the four dots 灬 at the bottom. Also remember 点 is third tone and 燃 is second tone: diǎnrán.
点燃 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
点 diǎn · to touch briefly · 9 strokes
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燃 rán · to ignite · 16 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 点燃.
| 地点 | dìdiǎn | place; site |
| 一点儿 | yīdiǎnr | erhua variant of 一點|一点[yi1 dian3] |
| 一点点 | yī diǎndiǎn | a little bit |
| 重点 | zhòngdiǎn | to recount (e.g. results of election); to re-evaluate |
| 观点 | guāndiǎn | point of view; viewpoint |
| 有点儿 | yǒudiǎnr | slightly; a little |
| 快点儿 | kuài diǎnr | erhua variant of 快點|快点[kuai4 dian3] |
| 点头 | diǎntóu | to nod |
| 特点 | tèdiǎn | characteristic; trait; feature |
| 有一点儿 | yǒuyīdiǎnr | a bit; a little |
| 缺点 | quēdiǎn | weak point; fault |
| 优点 | yōudiǎn | merit; benefit |
Questions about 点燃
What does 点燃 mean?
点燃 (diǎnrán) means "to ignite; to set on fire" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 点燃?
点燃 is made of 2 characters: 点 (9 strokes), 燃 (16 strokes). That is 25 strokes in total.
Is 点燃 an HSK word?
Yes. 点燃 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 点燃 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 点燃 is written 點燃.
What is the difference between 点燃 and 点火?
点火 (diǎnhuǒ) is a verb-object phrase meaning to light a fire or start an engine, and it usually does not take another object. 点燃 takes an object directly, as in 点燃火柴 (light a match), and sounds a bit more formal.
Can 点燃 be used for emotions or ideas?
Yes. It is common in writing to say 点燃希望 (diǎnrán xīwàng, to kindle hope) or 点燃热情 (diǎnrán rèqíng, to ignite enthusiasm). In these cases it means to spark or arouse something.