HSK · Level 56
105 words
Chinese word
蜡
Pronunciation
Pinyinlà
Meaning
- nounwax
Example
桌子上有一块蜡。zhuō zi shàng yǒu yí kuài là
There is a piece of wax on the table.
More examples
生日蛋糕上插着几根蜡烛。shēng rì dàn gāo shàng chā zhe jǐ gēn là zhú
Several candles are stuck in the birthday cake.
Core concept
A meltable material that becomes a smooth coating or molded object and returns to a solid state as it cools.
Common phrases
蜡烛là zhú
candle
蜡笔là bǐ
crayon
蜂蜡fēng là
beeswax
Similar words
蜡烛là zhú: A candle made of wax, with a wick that is lit to produce light.
蜡笔là bǐ: A stick of colored wax for making pictures or adding color to paper.
石蜡shí là: A pale petroleum-based wax used to make surfaces water-resistant and in industry.
蜜蜡mì là: Yellow natural wax produced by bees for use in decorations and cosmetics.
Definition in Chinese
由动植物分泌或经石油等加工得到的一类在常温下多为固体、受热可熔且表面常有光泽的有机物，常用于制作蜡烛、蜡笔、封印和涂层等。yóu dòng zhí wù fēn mì huò jīng shí yóu děng jiā gōng dé dào de yí lèi zài cháng wēn xià duō wèi gù tǐ shòu rè kě róng qiě biǎo miàn cháng yǒu guāng zé de yǒu jī wù cháng yòng yú zhì zuò là zhú là bǐ fēng yìn hé tú céng děng
Word origin
蜡 (là, "wax") is the simplified form of 蠟 (là, "wax"), whose insect radical reflects an early link with beeswax; the meaning later broadened to waxes from other sources.
Usage tips
- In everyday Chinese, this material noun often appears inside product names, so recognizing it helps identify what a candle, crayon, polish, or coating is made from.