电 (diàn) - electricity & electric

电Tone 4

diàn ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 田

橙丁

电 · diàn

electricity;

electric;

lightning;

telegram;

to electrocute;

to telephone.

electricityelectriclightning

Usage highlights

electricitytelephonetelevisioncomputerlightningbattery

Synonyms

  • 电光— electric light; lightning flash
  • 电气— electric; electrical

Antonyms

  • 火— fire (traditional opposite of lightning/electricity)
  • 水— water (traditional element contrasting with electricity)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Turn on the light (开电灯).
  • I watch television (看电视).
  • This is an electric car (电动车).
  • Send a telegram (发电报).

Collocations

  • electricity(电)
  • telephone(电话)
  • television(电视)
  • computer(电脑)
  • lightning(闪电)
  • battery(电池)

Idioms

  • Swift as lightning(风驰电掣)
  • Like lightning and flint(电光石火)
  • Thunder and lightning(雷电交加)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted lightning in oracle bone script, evolving to represent modern electricity.
  • Crucial in modern Chinese vocabulary for technology and communication terms.
  • Represents speed and instantaneous action in classical and modern contexts.

FAQ