📖 Meaning
A metaphor for intense mutual passion and attraction between a man and a woman, likened to dry firewood catching a blazing fire. It describes a situation where desire burns fiercely and the two are irresistibly drawn to each other.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Ling Mengchu's 'Slapping the Table in Amazement, Second Collection' (二刻拍案惊奇), Volume 11, a celebrated collection of short stories from the Ming Dynasty. The original passage describes two people whose mutual longing is like fierce fire meeting dry firewood — each harboring desire for the other, they quickly become involved. The vivid image of flames devouring dry timber captures the uncontrollable intensity of their passion. Since then it has become a classic metaphor for intense romantic or sensual attraction.
💡 Example Usage
他们初次见面便如烈火干柴，感情迅速升温。
They were like fire on dry firewood from their very first meeting, and their feelings quickly intensified.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 烈火干柴
- Pinyin: liè huǒ gān chái
- Literal Translation: fierce fire, dry firewood
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4