燃

A phono-semantic compound:

火 (화) — semantic component, indicating fire, heat, combustion

然 (연) — phonetic component, supplying the sound and inheriting its core sense

The character 燃 inherits the core semantic idea of 然, which originally conveyed the state of “being so” or “thus”, and by extension a state of burning or ignition.

By explicitly adding 火, 燃 specializes this state into actual combustion.

In other words, 燃 makes explicit what 然 implied.

Relationship with 然:

然 — originally denoted a state, later used adverbially (“so; thus”), and also carried early associations with burning.

燃 — fixes and clarifies the meaning as physical burning.

Thus, 燃 is a semantic clarification character, created to avoid ambiguity as 然’s meanings broadened.

Semantic development:

- physical combustion — fire consuming material

- intentional ignition — setting something ablaze

- emotional intensity — passion, enthusiasm, anger

燃 is common in descriptive, technical, and figurative contexts, covering both physical and metaphorical burning.

연소 (燃燒) — combustion; burning

점화 (點燃) — ignition; lighting

연료 (燃料) — fuel

연탄 (燃炭) — briquette

연비 (燃費) — fuel efficiency

Figurative usage:

열정을 불태우다 (燃情) — to inflame passion

투지가 연하다 (鬪志燃하다) — fighting spirit burns

Compared to 燒 (to burn, often focusing on damage or destruction), 燃 emphasizes the process of burning itself, especially ignition and sustained flame.

Related characters (fire & combustion):

火 — fire

炎 — flame; blazing

燒 — to burn; scorch

焚 — to burn completely

熾 — blazing; intense heat

Among these, 燃 is the most neutral and technical, widely used in scientific, mechanical, and metaphorical contexts.