打火机
dǎhuǒjī
In Chinese, 'lighter' is expressed as 打火机 (dǎhuǒjī).
The word refers to a device used for making fire.
Meaning: fire-making device (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 打火机 can be understood literally as a 'fire-striking machine' or 'fire-making machine'.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, 打火机 is classifier-friendly and is often used with the measure word 个 (gè).
How do you pronounce it?
dǎhuǒjī
Did you know?
- The term 打火 (dǎhuǒ) is also used as a verb to describe the act of starting a gasoline engine, referring to the ignition spark.
- While 打火机 is the standard term, you may hear the phrase 借个火 (jiè gè huǒ), which literally means 'borrow a fire' when asking for a light.
- The word 机 (jī) in 打火机 is the same character used for 'airplane' 飞机 (fēijī) and 'opportunity' 机会 (jīhuì), as it refers to a mechanism or machine.
Examples in context
- 您有打火机吗？Have you got a lighter?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a lighter.Tatoeba #345800 by fucongcong, translation #29828 by shanghainese
- 先生，您把您的打火机留在桌子上了。Sir, you have left your lighter on the table.This sentence is useful for informing someone that they left their lighter on the table.Tatoeba #336182 by fucongcong, translation #64667 by CK
- 请借我一个打火机。Please lend me a lighter.
- 这个打火机是蓝色的。Zhège dǎhuǒjī shì lánsè de.This lighter is blue.
Example conversation
At a camping site in the evening.
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，你的打火机在哪儿？Hàorán, nǐ de dǎhuǒjī zài nǎ'er?Haoran, where is your lighter?
- 浩然 Haoran就在我的口袋里。Jiù zài wǒ de kǒudài lǐ.It is just in my pocket.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那快帮我点火。Nà kuài bāng wǒ diǎnhuǒ.Then quickly help me light the fire.
- 浩然 Haoran没问题，等一下。Méi wèntí, děng yīxià.No problem, wait a moment.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
