直流电 (zhí liú diàn) — direct current (DC)

Definition

Direct current (DC) — current that flows in one steady direction, like from a battery. Contrast with 交流电, where the current alternates direction.

noun

direct current (DC)

直流电。
Zhè zhǒng jī qì yòng zhí liú diàn.
This kind of machine uses direct current.
直流电。
zhí liú diàn Hé jiāo liú diàn bù yí yàng.
Direct current is different from alternating current.
直流电。
Diàn chí kě yǐ chǎn shēng zhí liú diàn.
Batteries can produce direct current.

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.

直流direct current

偏正Modifier + head

电diànelectricity

直流 means a one-way, steady flow, and 电 is electricity, together naming direct current.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The earliest form of 直 pairs 目, an eye, with an unclear stroke 丨.

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

Sound part声符shēngfú

㐬

㐬㐬流liú

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

流 has 水, water, and 㐬, which gives the sound. The water part matches meanings such as flow.

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

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.