点灯 (diǎn dēng) — to light a lamp; to turn on a light (often in a…

Definition

Literary or traditional way to say 'light a lamp' — 点 is the act of igniting, 灯 is the lamp. More evocative than the plain modern 打开灯.

verb

to light a lampto turn on a light (often in a traditional or literary context)

点灯。
Tā měi tiān wǎn shàng dōu diǎn dēng kàn shū.
He reads by lamplight every evening.
，。
Tā diǎn le yì zhǎn dēng, fáng jiān liàng le qǐ lái.
He lit a lamp, and the room brightened up.
点灯。
Gǔ dài rén yòng yóu diǎn dēng.
Ancient people used oil to light lamps.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

点 means to light, and 灯 is the lamp lit.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 點; 点 is its simplified writing.

黑占點

Meaning part形符xíngfú

黑黑hēiblack

Sound part声符shēngfú

占

占zhàn點diǎn(r)

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 點 pairs 黑 (black) with 占 for its sound; the simplified 点 is a later abbreviation.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

火丁灯

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

丁

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

灯 pairs 火, which shows fire, with 丁, which gives the sound.

Appears in