触电 (chù diàn) — to get an electric shock

Definition

Separable verb: 触 + 电, usually split with 了 or a complement (触了电, 别触电). Means 'to be electrocuted' — an electrical current passing through the body.

verb

to get an electric shock

，。
Tā chù le diàn, bèi sòng jìn yī yuàn.
He got an electric shock and was sent to the hospital.
，触电。
Qiān wàn bú yào yòng shǒu qù pèng diàn xiàn, huì chù diàn.
Never touch the wire with your hand, you'll get an electric shock.
，触电。
Zhè ge jī qì hěn wēi xiǎn, xiǎo xīn chù diàn.
This machine is very dangerous, be careful of electric shock.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

电diànelectricity

To 触电, coming into contact with 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 觸; 触 is its simplified writing.

角蜀觸

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

蜀

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 觸 uses 角 for the meaning and 蜀 for the sound; the simplified 触 is a later shorthand.

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.

Appears in