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挥发

揮發
huīfā
verb #33,029

Meanings

  1. 1 to volatilize; to evaporate (especially at room temperature)
  2. 2 to vaporize
  3. 3 (adjective use) volatile (in compounds)

Examples

酒精很容易挥发。
Jiǔjīng hěn róngyì huīfā.
Alcohol evaporates easily.
汽油是挥发性液体，要远离火源。
Qìyóu shì huīfāxìng yètǐ, yào yuǎnlí huǒyuán.
Gasoline is a volatile liquid — keep it away from fire.
香水的香气慢慢挥发了。
Xiāngshuǐ de xiāngqì mànmàn huīfā le.
The perfume's fragrance slowly evaporated.

Tips

usage
挥发 specifically means evaporation at ordinary temperatures (without boiling) — perfumes, alcohols, ethers, gasoline. For boiling-point evaporation use 蒸发 zhēngfā (steam off, water in a kettle). Common compounds: 挥发性 huīfāxìng (volatility / volatile [adj.]), 挥发油 huīfāyóu (essential oil).
memory
挥 (hand-radical, to wave / brandish) + 发 (to send out) — 'to wave-out / fling forth.' Picture the molecules waving themselves out of the liquid into the air. The 挥 is the same as in 挥手 (wave hand) and 指挥 (conduct an orchestra).

Stroke Order

挥 huī
发 fā