Burn down Meaning in English
expression
ˈbɝn/ /ˈdaʊn
BURN-down
bˈɜːn/ /dˈaʊn
BURN-down
Definition
To destroy something completely by fire, especially a building. It can also mean for something to be destroyed by fire without anyone causing it.
Usage & Nuances
Usually used for buildings or large structures. Can be active ('They burned down the house') or passive ('The house burned down'). Informal, mostly in speech or everyday writing. Not for small objects.
Spanish: incendiar - quemarse por completoPortuguese (BR): incendiar - queimar completamentePortuguese (PT): incendiar - arder completamenteChinese (Simplified): 烧毁 - 烧成废墟Chinese (Traditional): 燒毀 - 燒成廢墟Hindi: जला देना (पूरी तरह से) - जलकर राख हो जानाArabic: يحترق بالكامل - إحراقBengali: আগুন দিয়ে ধ্বংস করা - পুড়ে যাওয়াRussian: сжечь дотла - сгореть дотлаJapanese: 全焼する - 焼き払うVietnamese: thiêu rụi - cháy rụiKorean: 전소하다 - 불태우다Turkish: yanıp kül olmak - yakıp kül etmekUrdu: جل کر خاک ہونا - جلا دیناIndonesian: hangus terbakar - membakar habis
Example Sentences
The old house burned down last night.
basic
They tried to burn down the factory.
basic
A lightning strike caused the barn to burn down.
basic
I'm still sad our cabin burned down in the wildfire.
natural
Did you hear that the old school finally burned down after years of being abandoned?
natural
We had to call the fire department before the whole block burned down.
natural