导火索 dǎohuǒsuǒ fuse (for explosive)
How to remember 导火索: 导 guide + 火 fire (Kangxi radical 86) + 索 cable = fuse (for explosive).
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How it is used
- Literally a fuse (for explosives), but overwhelmingly used figuratively as the trigger that sets off a larger conflict - 这件事成了战争的导火索 (zhè jiàn shì chéng le zhànzhēng de dǎohuǒsuǒ) this incident was the fuse that ignited the war.
- The immediate spark, distinct from 原因 (yuányīn, the underlying cause); a small event that detonates a big one.
- Common in news and history commentary.