熄灯 (xí dēng) — to turn off the lights, to switch off the lights | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A fixed phrase meaning 'turn off the lights' — 熄 (extinguish) + 灯 (light), typically used in shared spaces like dorms, trains, or at bedtime. Note: 熄 is the formal verb, not the everyday 关 (guān) used for most appliances.

verb

to turn off the lightsto switch off the lights

Examples

熄灯。
Shuì jiào qián jì de xí dēng.
Remember to turn off the lights before sleeping.
熄灯。
Sù shè lǐ yǐ jīng xí dēng le.
The lights in the dorm have already been turned off.
熄灯。
Qǐng xí dēng.
Please turn off the lights.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

熄xīextinguish

'熄' extinguish + '灯' lamp; to put out the light.

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.

火息熄

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

息

息xī熄xī

Same sound today

In 熄, the 火 part shows fire, and the 息 part gives the sound.

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

火丁灯

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

丁

丁dīng灯dēng

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

灯 pairs 火, which shows fire, with 丁, which gives the sound.

Appears in

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.