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电灯泡 (diàn dēng pào) — electric light bulb; (slang) third wheel, intruder (esp. between a romantic couple)

Definition

Literally 'electric light bulb'. Slang meaning 'third wheel' (当电灯泡) describes an extra person tagging along with a couple on a date or outing.

noun
electric light bulb(slang) third wheelintruder (esp. between a romantic couple)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 电灯泡，。
    Fáng jiān lǐ zhǐ yǒu yí gè diàn dēng pào, guāng xiàn hěn àn.
    There is only one light bulb in the room, so the light is dim.
  • ，电灯泡。
    Tā men liǎ yuē huì, nǐ zuì hǎo bú yào qù dāng diàn dēng pào.
    They're on a date — you'd better not go and be a third wheel.
  • 电灯泡，。
    Zhè ge diàn dēng pào de wǎ shù tài dī le, kàn bù qīng chǔ.
    The wattage of this bulb is too low; I can't see clearly.

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diànelectric
灯泡bulb
灯dēnglamp泡pàobulb
偏正Modifier + head

“电” says electric, “灯” says lamp, and “泡” suggests a bulb, naming an electric bulb.

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
火火huǒ
Sound part声符shēngfú
丁
丁dīng灯dēng
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.

Open 灯 →

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
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
包
包bāo泡pào
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

泡 combines 氵 (water) and 包, which supplies the sound. It conveys foam.

Open 泡 →
Appears in
Everyday Objects

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