蜡

• Pinyin: là
• Hanzi breakdown: 蜡 = 虫 (insect) + 昔 (past, phonetic) — wax, originally referring to beeswax

Meaning

Wax. A substance used for candles, sealing, polishing, and various industrial applications.

Besides candle wax, encompasses beeswax, paraffin, car wax, floor wax, and other waxy substances. Also used metaphorically to describe a pale, sickly complexion.

Examples

1. 这种地板需要定期打蜡保养。 This type of flooring needs regular waxing for maintenance.
2. 蜡像馆里的人物栩栩如生。 The figures in the wax museum are lifelike.
3. 他的脸色蜡黄，看起来像是生病了。 His complexion is waxy and yellow — he looks like he's sick.

Usage Guide

Context: household maintenance, art, description

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 汽车打完蜡后亮多了。(The car looks much shinier after waxing.)
• 这是用蜡染工艺制作的布料。(This fabric is made using wax-dyeing techniques.)

Don't Say

• 把蜡和油脂类物质混淆。(蜡 specifically refers to wax — don't confuse with oils or fats)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character. 虫 (insect) radical relates to beeswax production; 昔 provides the sound.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal