照耀

zhàoyào
verb HSK 6 #11,554

Meanings

  1. 1 to shine; to illuminate
  2. 2 to light up (figuratively)

Characters

Double 'shine' - intensified illumination, both literal and metaphorical.

Examples

HSK 3
Yuèguāng zhàoyào zhe húmiàn.
Moonlight illuminates the lake surface.
HSK 7-9
Yángguāng zhàoyào zhe dàdì.
Sunlight shines upon the earth.
HSK 7-9
Tā de jīngshén zhàoyào zhe hòurén.
His spirit illuminates future generations.

Tips

usage
照耀 is more literary and grand than alone. It is commonly used in poetic, literary, or political contexts - sunlight on the land, a hero's legacy shining on.
memory
耀 has the (light) radical on the left - pure radiance. Two 'light' characters together = powerful brilliance.

Stroke Order

zhào
耀 yào