电感 (diàn gǎn) — inductance

Definition

A technical electronics term: the property of a coil that resists changes in current, measured in henries (亨). In circuits, it is the parameter that pairs with 电容 (capacitance) and 电阻 (resistance).

noun
inductance

Examples

  • 电感5。
    Zhè ge xiàn quān de diàn gǎn dà yuē shì 5 háo hēng.
    The inductance of this coil is about 5 millihenries.
  • 电感。
    Cè liáng diàn gǎn xū yào shǐ yòng zhuān mén de yí qì.
    Measuring inductance requires specialized instruments.
  • 电感。
    diàn gǎn Shì diàn lù shè jì zhōng de zhòng yào cān shù.
    Inductance is an important parameter in circuit design.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

电diànelectricity
感gǎninduction

Electricity and induction describe the property of inductance.

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 電; 电 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
雨雨yǔrain
Sound part声符shēngfú
申
申shēn電diàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

For the traditional form 電, 雨 (rain) sits with 申, read shēn and meaning lightning.

Open 电 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
咸
咸xián感gǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

感 pairs 咸, which gives the sound, with 心, the heart, for feeling.

Open 感 →

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