灭亡
miè wáng · HSK 7
to become extinct
💀 灭 = extinguish (fire capped by a lid) + 亡 = perish/die
灭 shows a fire (火) with a line clamped on top, snuffing it out, so it means extinguish. 亡 means to die or be lost. Together: snuffed out and gone — to perish or die out completely.
灭 — fire 火 under cover 一
Originally written 烕, showing fire 火 being smothered or extinguished. The modern simplified form 灭 visually depicts a horizontal stroke 一 pressing down on fire 火, capturing the idea of putting out flames. The meaning extended from 'extinguish' to 'destroy' or 'wipe out'.