How to Write 烈 (liè) — Meaning “intense; strong; fierce”

Imagine a line of people (列) standing in front of a blazing fire (灬). The heat is so intense that it feels fierce and strong. This picture helps you link the parts to the meaning of 'intense' or 'fierce'.

The top part 列 has 6 strokes, with the last stroke being a vertical hook—do not make it too long. The bottom fire radical 灬 has 4 dots; the first dot is slightly separate, and the last three are connected in a small wave. A common mistake is writing the dots too far apart or making the top part too wide.

点 means 'dot' or 'point' and has a different top part (占), while its bottom is also 灬 but the meaning is unrelated to fire. 烝 means 'steam' or 'vapor' and has a top part 烝 (with 丞), and its bottom 灬 indicates heat for steaming. In contrast, 烈 always emphasizes intensity or fierceness, not a specific action like pointing or steaming.

烈 appears in words like 烈日 (scorching sun) for extreme heat, 强烈 (intense) for strong feelings or forces, and 热烈 (enthusiastic) for warm emotions. In Chinese culture, 烈 can describe heroic martyrs (烈士) or strong alcohol (烈酒), reflecting its sense of strength and power.

Common words containing 烈 include: 烈日 (liè rì) — scorching sun; 强烈 (qiáng liè) — Intense, strong; 热烈 (rè liè) — Warm or enthusiastic.