Definition & Meaning

1.scald/burn the hand

2.troublesome; knotty; sticky

Word usage

tàng shǒu

烫 手

Level:

ReadWriteQuiz

Chinese dictionary
Show pinyinHide pinyin

1
v.scald/burn the hand
- rè de tàng shǒu
  热得烫手
  scalding to the touch
- qián bù tàng shǒu
  钱不烫手。
  Money doesn't burn the hand.
- dāng xīn nà xiē mán tou tàng shǒu
  当心，那些馒头烫手。
  Mind that the buns are scalding hot.
2
adj.metatroublesome; knotty; sticky
- tā gǎn shòu dào zhè ge wèn tí yǒu xiē tàng shǒu
  他感受到这个问题有些烫手。
  He felt he was confronted with a sticky business.
- zhè shì hěn tàng shǒu
  这事很烫手。
  The issue is pretty troublesome/complicated.
- rú jīn tā biàn chéng yī kuài zhèng zhì shang de tàng shǒu shān yù duì yín háng lì rùn kě néng chǎn shēng jù dà yǐng xiǎng
  如今，它变成一块政治上的烫手山芋，对银行利润可能产生巨大影响。
  Now it is turning into a political hot potato with potentially big implications for bank profits.

Word usage

Separable word
"烫" and "手" can be combined as one word, or be used separately with other elements inserted.
- 他被热汤烫了手。
  His hands were scalded by the hot soup.
- 他被热气烫了一下手。
  His hands were scalded by the heat.
- 他被开水烫到了手。
  His hands were scalded by boiling water.

Hot words today