电力网 (diàn lì wǎng) — electric power network

Definition

noun

electric power network

Measure word · 个

电力网，。
Zhè ge chéng shì de diàn lì wǎng fēi cháng fā dá, hěn shǎo tíng diàn.
This city's electric power network is very developed, with few power outages.
电力网，。
Guó jiā zhèng zài shēng jí nóng cūn de diàn lì wǎng, ràng gèng duō jiā tíng yòng shàng wěn dìng diàn.
The country is upgrading the rural electric power network so more households can use stable electricity.
电力网。
diàn lì wǎng De jiàn shè xū yào dà liàng zī jīn hé jì shù zhī chí.
The construction of an electric power network requires substantial funding and technical support.

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.

电力electric power

电diànelectricity力lìpower

偏正Modifier + head

Electric power describes the kind of network, so it denotes a grid for distributing electricity.

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

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.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

力 is drawn as either an arm bending out from the side of the body or a wooden plough.

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 網; 网 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糸糸mìrope

Sound part声符shēngfú

罔

Same sound today

The traditional form 網 pairs 糸 (rope) with 罔 to give the sound; the simplified 网 is a later shorthand.