Definition
灭 (miè) is the core verb for 'extinguish, put out, or wipe out'. Its compounds add nuance: 扑灭 means actively putting out a fire or eradicating pests; 熄灭 is intransitive (a fire going out); 灭绝/灭亡 refer to extinction or destruction of species/groups. 灭 itself can be both transitive (灭灯) and intransitive (火灭了).
verb
to extinguishto put out (a fire, light, etc.)to go out (of a fire, light)to exterminateto wipe out (pests, enemies, etc.)
Easily confused
- 炼liànlook-aliketo refine (skills, writing, etc.)
- 灰huīlook-alike(noun) ash; dust; lime (powdery substance)
- 灾zāilook-alikedisaster, calamity
- 灶zàolook-alikekitchen stove; cooking range
Examples
- 灭。Qǐng bǎ dēng miè le.Please turn off the light.
- 灭。Tāmen miè diào le suǒyǒu de dírén.They wiped out all the enemies.
- 灭。Lúzi lǐ de huǒ mànmàn miè le.The fire in the stove slowly went out.
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