Definition
电灯泡 literally means 'electric light bulb', but in informal speech it's commonly used as a metaphor for a 'third wheel' — someone who intrudes on a couple's time together. This slang usage is frequent enough that learners often encounter it before the literal meaning. Context determines which sense is intended: romantic date settings strongly suggest the slang meaning.
n.
electric light bulb(slang) third wheelintruder (esp. between a romantic couple)
Examples
- 电灯泡，。Fángjiān lǐ zhǐyǒu yí ge diàn dēng pào, guāngxiàn hěn àn.There is only one light bulb in the room, so the light is dim.
- ，电灯泡。Tāmen liǎ yuēhuì, 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 wǎshù tài dī le, kàn bu qīngchu.The wattage of this bulb is too low; I can't see clearly.
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