Definition
烫 (tàng) means 'scalding hot' (adjective) or 'to scald/burn with hot liquid or a hot object' (verb). It also means 'to perm hair' or 'to iron clothes'. Unlike 烧 (shāo) which refers to burning by fire/flame or cooking, 烫 specifically involves contact with something hot enough to cause a scald.
adjective
scalding hotburning to the touch
verb
to scaldto burn (with hot liquid/object)to perm (hair)also to iron (clothes)
Easily confused
- 炼liànlook-aliketo refine (skills, writing, etc.)
- 躺tǎngsound-aliketo lie down, to recline
- 糖tángsound-alikesugar, candy, sweets
- 趟tàngsound-alike(classifier) for trips, journeys, or times of going somewhere and coming back
- 汤tāngsound-alikesoup
- 堂tángsound-alike(noun) hall, large room for a specific purpose
- 淌tǎngsound-aliketo drip, to trickle, to shed (tears)
Examples
- 烫，。Zhè bēi shuǐ tài tàng le, děng yíhuìr zài hē.This glass of water is too hot; wait a bit before drinking.
- ，烫。Nǐ xiǎoxīn diǎn, bié ràng yóu tàng dào gēbo.Be careful, don't let the oil scald your arm.
- 烫。Tā xiǎng míngtiān qù lǐfà diàn tàng yíxià tóufa.She wants to go to the salon tomorrow to get her hair permed.
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