安培 (ān péi) — ampere (unit of electric current)

Definition

Standard unit of electric current (ampere), usually shortened in speech to 安.

classifier

ampere (unit of electric current)

安培。
Zhè ge diàn chí shì liǎng ān péi de.
This battery is two amps.
安培。
Chōng diàn qì xū yào wǔ ān péi de diàn liú.
The charger needs a current of five amps.
安培。
Zhè tiáo diàn xiàn néng chéng shòu shí ān péi.
This wire can withstand ten amps.

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.

宀女安

Meaning part形符xíngfú

宀宀mián

Sound part声符shēngfú

女

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

In 安, 宀 sits above a seated 女 on a cushion; 宀 is the meaning part, 女 is the sound part, and the character originally meant sitting at ease.

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

土咅培

Meaning part形符xíngfú

土土tǔearth

Sound part声符shēngfú

咅

咅pǒu培péi

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

培 is made from 土 (earth) and 咅, which gives the sound.

Appears in