燃烧 (ránshāo): to burn; to combust

Meanings

1 to burn; to combust
2 to ignite

Characters

燃

Both characters mean 'burn' — doubling for emphasis on the process of combustion.

Examples

木头在燃烧。

Mùtou zài ránshāo.

The wood is burning.

森林大火在继续燃烧。

Sēnlín dàhuǒ zài jìxù ránshāo.

The forest fire continues to burn.

燃烧需要氧气。

Ránshāo xūyào yǎngqì.

Combustion requires oxygen.

Tips

usage

燃烧 is often used figuratively: 燃烧激情 (burning with passion), 燃烧生命 (burning one's life — giving everything).

In Pop Culture

燃烧我的卡路里 Ránshāo wǒ de kǎlùlǐ

Burn My Calories

Catchy 2018 Rocket Girls 101 workout anthem; the title became a meme for any high-intensity exercise.

Stroke Order

燃 rán

烧 shāo

Related Words

烧 shāo HSK 4 #1,049

to burn / to cook; to roast; to stew / to have a fever

燃料 ránliào HSK 4 #5,516

fuel

燃烧弹 ránshāodàn #21,466

incendiary bomb / fire bomb / incendiary device

燃 rán #9,947

to burn; to ignite; to combust

发烧 fāshāo HSK 4 #5,839

to have a fever / to run a temperature

烧伤 shāoshāng #6,322

burn (injury) / to suffer a burn

燃烧过程 ránshāo guòchéng

combustion process / burning process

点燃 diǎnrán HSK 5 #5,543

to ignite; to light; to set on fire / to kindle; to spark (figurative)

烧毁 shāohuǐ HSK 7-9 #6,839

to burn down / to destroy by fire

烧烤 shāokǎo HSK 7-9 #5,897

barbecue / BBQ / to grill