烫

• Pinyin: tàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 烫 = 汤 (hot liquid) + 火 (fire, extreme heat)

Meaning

To scald; to iron; to perm. As an adjective, scalding hot or burning.

Describes high temperature that can burn, the process of using heat to style hair or smooth clothes, or warming food/drinks. Also used for the sensation of touching something hot.

Examples

1. 小心，这杯茶很烫。 Careful—this tea is very hot.
2. 她去美发店烫了个新发型。 She went to the salon and got a new perm.
3. 妈妈用熨斗把衬衫烫平了。 Mom ironed the shirt smooth with an iron.

Usage Guide

Context: temperature, hair styling, ironing

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 刚出锅的饺子很烫，慢慢吃。(The dumplings just out of the pot are very hot, eat slowly.)
• 她每个月都去烫一次头发。(She goes to get her hair permed once a month.)

Don't Say

• 天气很烫 — use 热 for weather; 烫 is for objects that can burn you directly

Origin & History

烫 = 汤 (soup/hot water) + 火 (fire)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal