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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "to burn" or "to have a fever" with 烧 (shāo)

    Actions & Events
    Description & Modification

    Structure

    烧 + 了 + Duration / 烧 + Object

    Explanation

    烧 (shāo) is a verb meaning "to burn" or "to have a fever." When describing illness, it refers to running a high temperature. When describing cooking or fire, it means to burn, cook, or heat. Context determines which meaning applies.

    Examples

    • 孩子昨天晚上发烧了，烧到三十九度。

      Háizi zuótiān wǎnshang fāshāo le, shāo dào sānshíjiǔ dù.

      The child had a fever last night, it reached thirty-nine degrees.

    • 小心别把手烧到了，锅很烫。

      Xiǎoxīn bié bǎ shǒu shāo dào le, guō hěn tàng.

      Be careful not to burn your hand, the pot is very hot.

    • 院子里有人在烧落叶。

      Yuànzi lǐ yǒu rén zài shāo luòyè.

      Someone is burning fallen leaves in the yard.

    Expressing "to burn" or "to have a fever" with 烧 (shāo) | Chinese Grammar