kindle a fire (by adding fuel)
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- 1 kindle a fire (by adding fuel)、keep a fire burning
This means piling wood, charcoal, or other fuel onto a fire to kindle it or keep it smoldering.
kindle a fire (by adding fuel)、keep a fire burning
It describes placing fuel on a fire so that it catches or continues to burn, often with a steady or smoldering flame.
Learning notes
Explanation
This verb combines สุม, “to pile or heap together,” with ไฟ, “fire.” It evokes placing combustible material on or around a fire so that it catches and continues to burn. Depending on the context, it can refer either to kindling the fire or to sustaining it by adding fuel.
Usage
It is used when tending a wood or charcoal fire for cooking or warmth, and when keeping a smoky fire going to repel mosquitoes.
Caution
For simply lighting something, จุดไฟ is more general. ก่อไฟ commonly refers to building and starting a fire. สุมไฟ highlights piling or adding fuel so the fire catches or stays alight.