烤爐 / 烤炉
kǎolú
In Chinese, the English word "oven" can be translated as 烤爐 / 烤炉 (kǎolú). If unsure, use 烤爐 / 烤炉. Wiktionary also lists 爐 / 炉 (lú) and 烘爐 / 烘炉 (hōnglú).
Meaning: chamber used for baking or heating (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 烤爐 / 烤炉 | kǎolú |
| 爐 / 炉 | lú |
| 烘爐 / 烘炉 | hōnglú |
The term 烤爐 / 烤炉 refers to a general heating chamber or furnace. However, when specifically referring to a modern household kitchen oven, the term 烤箱 is more commonly used.
What does it mean word for word?
The compound 烤爐 / 烤炉 consists of the verb 烤 (to roast or bake) and the noun 爐 / 炉 (stove or furnace).
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between the forms based on the type of device. Use 烤箱 (kǎoxiāng) when talking about a modern kitchen appliance. Use 烤爐 / 烤炉 (kǎolú) to refer to larger, more industrial or traditional heating devices such as a furnace or a specialized roasting stove.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term 烤箱 is commonly used across most regions, including Mainland China, Taiwan and Singapore.
How do you pronounce it?
kǎolú
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese culture, the 爐 / 炉 was not just for cooking, but often served as a vessel for burning incense or offering prayers to ancestors.
- The character 爐 / 炉 can be used metaphorically in literature to describe a heart full of passion or a situation of intense pressure.
- The term 爐 / 炉 is versatile enough to describe both a massive industrial blast furnace and a tiny charcoal brazier used for warmth in winter.
Example sentences for Chinese are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “oven” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
