Meaning and Usage
The character 烫 (tàng) primarily means 'to scald' or 'to burn with hot liquid or steam.' It is commonly used to describe the sensation of touching something very hot, such as boiling water or hot tea.
Common Contexts
- Warning about hot drinks or food: 小心，茶太烫了 (Be careful, the tea is too hot).
- Describing an injury caused by hot liquids: 被开水烫伤 (scalded by boiling water).
- Referring to ironing clothes: 用烫斗烫平 (iron flat with a hot iron).
Collocations and Patterns
- 烫伤 (tàngshāng): scald injury, used when someone is hurt by hot liquid or steam.
- 烫头发 (tàng tóufa): to perm or style hair with heat.
- 烫衣服 (tàng yīfu): to iron clothes.
Usage Notes
烫 is often used with liquids or objects that are hot enough to cause burns. It differs from 热 (rè), which simply means 'hot' in temperature but does not imply burning. When warning someone, 烫 emphasizes the danger of burning. In clothing care, 烫 refers to the use of heat to smooth or style fabric.
Avoid confusing 烫 with 烤 (kǎo), which means 'to roast' or 'to bake,' as 烫 involves direct contact with hot liquid or steam rather than dry heat.