Definition
窑 (yáo) primarily refers to a kiln — a specialized structure for firing pottery, bricks, or lime at high heat. It is distinct from 炉子 (lú zi), a more general stove or furnace for heating/cooking, and 灶 (zào), a kitchen cooking range. In northern China, 窑 also refers to a cave dwelling (窑洞), a sense that the other two words lack.
noun
kiln (for firing pottery, bricks, or lime)cave dwelling (窑洞)
Easily confused
- 窄zhǎilook-alikenarrow (physically)
- 要yàosound-aliketo want, to need
- 穿chuānlook-aliketo wear, to put on (clothing, shoes, etc.)
- 药yàosound-alikemedicine
- 空kònglook-alike(of space) vacant, unoccupied
- 咬yǎosound-aliketo bite; to nip
- 穷qiónglook-alikepoor, impoverished
- 摇yáosound-aliketo shake
- 腰yāosound-alikewaist, lower back
- 邀yāosound-aliketo invite
Examples
- 窑。Zhè zuò yáo yǐjīng yǒu yì bǎi duō nián de lìshǐ le.This kiln has a history of over a hundred years.
- 陕窑，。Shǎnběi de yáo dòng dōng nuǎn xià liáng, hěn shìhé jūzhù.The cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi are warm in winter and cool in summer, very suitable for living.
- 窑。Tā yéye zài zhège yáo li shāo le yībèizi zhuān.His grandfather spent his whole life firing bricks in this kiln.
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