Chinese word

插头

Pronunciation

Pinyinchā tóu

Meaning

  • nounplug

Example

我的插头插不上这个插座。wǒ de chā tóu chā bú shàng zhè ge chā zuò

My plug won't fit into this outlet.

Illustration for 插头 (plug)

More examples

这个插头坏了，不能通电。zhè ge chā tóu huài le bù néng tōng diàn

This plug is broken and cannot conduct electricity.

Core concept

A small connector at the end of a power cord, with metal contacts that enter a matching socket to carry electricity.

Common phrases

  • 插上插头chā shàng chā tóu

    plug in

  • 拔插头bá chā tóu

    unplug

  • 插头和插座chā tóu hé chā zuò

    plug and socket

Similar words

插座chā zuò: A wall or extension-cord receptacle that receives an electrical connection.
插口chā kǒu: An opening or set of contacts on equipment for connecting a cable.
充电器chōng diàn qì: A device that charges a battery or supplies power to electronic equipment.
电源diàn yuán: A source of electricity or the electrical power supplied by it.

Definition in Chinese

电器电源线末端可插入插座的部件，用于通过插片与插座接触传输电流。diàn qì diàn yuán xiàn mò duān kě chā rù chā zuò de bù jiàn yòng yú tōng guò chā piàn yǔ chā zuò jiē chù chuán shū diàn liú

Word origin

插 (chā, "insert") + 头 (tóu, "end") describes the inserting end of a cord, giving the word its sense of an electrical plug.

Usage tips

  • English plug also means a stopper or a short advertisement, but this Chinese noun stays in the electrical sense, so those extra English meanings do not transfer automatically.

Word lists with this word