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Using 划 (huá) to express 'to strike a match'
Actions & Events
Manner & Method
Structure
划 + 了 + Measure Word + 火柴
Explanation
The verb 划 (huá) specifically means 'to strike' when used with matches, describing the friction-based motion of lighting a match. This is a specialized usage of 划, which more broadly means 'to scratch' or 'to scrape.' The action is typically described as striking a match from a matchbox.
Examples
她在火柴盒上划了一根火柴，点燃了蜡烛。
Tā zài huǒchái hé shàng huá le yì gēn huǒchái, diǎnrán le làzhú.
She struck a match on the matchbox and lit the candle.
火柴太潮湿了，怎么划都划不着。
Huǒchái tài cháoshī le, zěnme huá dōu huá bù zháo.
The matches are too damp; no matter how you strike them, they won't light.
他划着一根火柴，借着微弱的光看地图。
Tā huázhe yì gēn huǒchái, jièzhe wēiruò de guāng kàn dìtú.
He struck a match and read the map by the faint light.