How do I say "bright flame" in Mandarin Chinese?

Question

I am writing a story with a main character who speaks Mandarin as a first language. "Bright flame" is how he refers to a special woman in his life, one whom he admires a great deal and is a great source of inspiration for him.

Answer 1

火 焰 = huǒ yán = flame flame = bright flame.
Typically used in "我生命的火焰" = "The fire of my life"

烈 火 = liè huǒ = raging fire. This would convey a more intense and passionate character.

Answer 2

Bright flame is not a name in Chinese and people in China would never use more than two words (characters) to refer to anyone on a close basis.

Next, how many people who read it are going to be able to understand what you are talking about anyway. If I was writing the book, and I speak Mandarin and have lived in China for 20 years so I know how they think and talk, I would simply call her "huo miao" (flame).

The Chinese don't use complete concepts in names they have a subtle background that only insiders know about. This way you can explain what the name comes from and it will be more Chinese in nature.

BTW huo hua is spark.

Answer 3

Hi Jewel, since "Bright Flame" is a name, therefore it would be preferable to limit it into two characters only. This is a cardinal rule, although not an absolute one, that most Chinese first names follow. Unfortunately, I can't come up with a name that literally means a bright flame in Chinese. Had your character been male, we would not have had much difficulty.

So please see if these suggestions of mine work for you. You may rest assured that these are both female names:

1.) 鳳豔 (Fèng Yàn) literally, the glamour of the Phoenix; may connote its sparkling bright splendor.
2.) 鳳美 (Fèng Měi) literally, the beauty of the Phoenix; may also connote its fiery beauty.

Frankly, only the two names above sound real. Other combinations pose problems because:

1.) It sounds weird by modern standards, such as 鳳火 (Fèng Huǒ, Fire of the Phoenix) which may pass if the girl were a warrior or a demigoddess of some kind.
2.) It's inappropriate/awkward. Not all Chinese characters may be used for names, and even then, one has to find the right combinations.
3.) It's masculine, such as 燦輝 (Chàn Huī, bright and shining) and 煌光 (Huáng Guāng, brilliant light).
-------------------------------------

Additional: It seems I have misunderstood the question. I thought you were looking for a proper name . Anyway, I take my hat off to TanongNaLang, the guy below me. He's right on the mark. (^_^)

Answer 4

See if this work, Bright flame, I think to use, "shua qu huo hua", something like he just made a bright flame from his heart inside right away when he met someone really inspires him. Huo Hua meaning is like sparks of flame, That sparks of flame from his heart when he met this special woman(or whoever special to him).

Answer 5

Flame In Chinese

Answer 6

there's no direct literal translation to this one...bu the closest will be "Chan Lan"..which means a "bright and shining" person..

Answer 7

"ming liang de huo hua" -----明亮的火花.

ming liang-- bright
huo hua--flame

Answer 8

gwang hwo