kindle、fire、ignite与light这些动词均含“点燃、着火”之意。
kindle : 多指艰难或缓慢地将木头、稻草或纸张等可燃物点燃,强调燃烧需要经过特别的准备或者说不能立马燃烧起来。
- Her imagination was kindled by the exciting stories her grandmother told her.
她祖母给她讲述的精彩故事激发了她的想象力。
fire : 普通用词,指将某物点燃使其燃烧起来,火势可大可小。
- 点燃火箭发动机
fire a rocket engine
ignite : 多用于科技文体,指使某物受热直到燃烧或发光,也可指用火花使易燃物迅速燃烧起来。
- The fuel spontaneously ignites because of the high temperature and pressure.
燃料因高温和高压而自燃。
light : 普通用词,指点燃易燃物,使其能发光,满足各种需要。
- to light a fire
点火 - I can't get the cooker to light.
我无法点燃煤气灶。 - He lit his fifth cigarette in half an hour.