Meaning and Usage
The verb 烧毁 (shāohuǐ) specifically means to burn something completely to destruction. It is often used in contexts involving fires, deliberate destruction of documents, or damage caused by burning.
Common Contexts
烧毁 is frequently used in news reports about fires or accidents, as well as in formal or legal contexts when referring to the destruction of sensitive materials by burning.
Collocations and Patterns
- 烧毁文件: to burn documents, often to prevent information leaks.
- 烧毁仓库: to burn down a warehouse, describing large-scale fire damage.
- 被烧毁: passive form indicating something was burned down or destroyed by fire.
Usage Notes
烧毁 implies complete destruction by fire, stronger than just 烧 (to burn). It is more formal and often used in written or official contexts. Avoid confusing it with 烧坏, which means to burn and damage but not necessarily destroy completely.