扑灭 pūmiè to eradicate
to eradicate; to extinguish
How to remember 扑灭: 扑 to attack + 灭 to extinguish = to eradicate.
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How it is used
- To put out / stamp out (fire, pests, an outbreak): 扑灭大火 (pūmiè dàhuǒ) to extinguish the blaze, 扑灭疫情 (to stamp out an epidemic).
- Forceful eradication by beating/smothering down.
- Compare 熄灭 (xīmiè, to go out/extinguish, gentler); 扑灭 implies urgent, active suppression.