TongTong
Sign in

通电 (tōng diàn) — to electrify, to connect to a power supply; (dated) to send a circular telegram

Definition

Literally 'connect to electricity', meaning to wire up or power on a device. Contrast with 断电 ('cut the power, power off') — the two are opposites, often paired.

verb
to electrifyto connect to a power supply(dated) to send a circular telegram

Examples

  • 通电。
    Zhè tái jī qì xū yào xiān tōng diàn cái néng yòng.
    This machine needs to be powered on first before it can be used.
  • 。
    Tā gěi xīn mǎi de kōng tiáo tōng le diàn.
    He powered on the newly bought air conditioner.
  • 通电。
    Zhè ge kāi guān měi cì duàn diàn hòu dōu yào chóng xīn tōng diàn yí cì diàn.
    This switch needs to be turned on again each time after a power outage.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

通tōngconnect
电diànelectricity

通 means connect, and 电 means electricity or telegram, giving electrify or send a circular telegram.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuò
Sound part声符shēngfú
甬
甬yǒng通tōng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

通 pairs 辶, a part associated with movement, with 甬, which gives the sound.

Open 通 →

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
申shēn電diàn
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.

Open 电 →
Appears in
Mail & MessagingEnergy & Power

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.