gāohuǒ

膏火

Word · Noun

lamplight; metaphor for tuition fees

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 3 examples
1.

noun

lamplight; lamp oil and fire (literal meaning)

literary

Literal, historical term for the fuel (oil) and flame of a lamp.

Gǔ古
dài代
shū书
shēng生
cháng常
píng凭
gāo膏
huǒ火
kǔ苦
dú读
zhì至
shēn深
yè夜
 。

Ancient scholars often studied late into the night by lamplight.

2.

noun

expenses for nighttime study or work (especially tuition fees)

literary

A metaphorical extension, referring to the cost of lighting needed for nighttime study, hence tuition or educational expenses.

Tā他
qín勤
fèn奋
hào好
xué学
 ，
jiā家
jìng境
pín贫
hán寒
 ，
lián连
gāo膏
huǒ火
zhī之
zī资
yě也
nán难
yǐ以
chóu筹
cuò措
 。

He was diligent and eager to learn, but his family was poor, and even the tuition fees were hard to raise.

Zhè这
fèn份
jiǎng奖
xué学
jīn金
wèi为
tā他
jiě解
jué决
le了
gāo膏
huǒ火
zhī之
yōu忧
 。

This scholarship alleviated his worries about tuition fees.