烘托 hōngtuō background (of a painting)
background (of a painting); backdrop; a foil (to set off something to advantage); to offset (something to advantage)
How to remember 烘托: 烘 to bake + 托 to support = background (of a painting).
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How it is used
- 'To set off, foil; to create atmosphere' - 烘托气氛 (hōngtuō qìfēn) to build up the mood.
- An artistic/literary technique: using a background or contrast to make the subject stand out.
- 用…来烘托 (yòng…lái hōngtuō) to use something as a foil to highlight another.