如火如荼 (rú huǒ rú tú) — like wildfire; in full swing; with great momentum

Definition

A set idiom (from classical Chinese) meaning something is spreading or unfolding with intense, unstoppable momentum — like wildfire. Used in writing and formal speech, not casual chat.

idiom
like wildfirein full swingwith great momentum

Examples

  • 如火如荼。
    Zhè xiàng gǎi gé zhèng zài rú huǒ rú tú dì zhǎn kāi.
    This reform is unfolding like wildfire.
  • 如火如荼。
    Quán guó gè dì de zhí shù huó dòng kāi zhǎn dé rú huǒ rú tú.
    Tree-planting activities across the country are in full swing.
  • 如火如荼。
    Gōng yì shì yè zài shì jiè fàn wéi rú huǒ rú tú.
    Public welfare initiatives are spreading like wildfire around the world.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

如火like fire
如rúlike火huǒfire
动宾Verb + object
如荼like reed
如rúlike荼túreed
动宾Verb + object

如火 means like fire and 如荼 means like reed: intense, lively momentum.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
女
女nǚ如rú
Same sound today

如 is built from 口 (mouth) for its meaning and 女 (woman) for its sound.

Open 如 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

火 is a simple drawing of a fire, with flames shown rising upward.

Open 火 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
女
女nǚ如rú
Same sound today

如 is built from 口 (mouth) for its meaning and 女 (woman) for its sound.

Open 如 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
艸艸cǎograss
Sound part声符shēngfú
余
余yú荼tú
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The top 艸 marks this as a grassy plant, while 余 supplies the sound.

Open 荼 →

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