Chinese word

触电

Pronunciation

Pinyinchù diàn

Meaning

  • verbget an electric shock

Example

他修理电器的时候不小心触电了。tā xiū lǐ diàn qì de shí hòu bù xiǎo xīn chù diàn le

He accidentally got an electric shock while repairing an appliance.

Illustration for 触电 (get an electric shock)

More examples

他用湿手拔插头的时候触电了。tā yòng shī shǒu bá chā tóu de shí hòu chù diàn le

He got an electric shock when he pulled out the plug with wet hands.

Core concept

Contact with a live source produces a sudden physical jolt, from a sting or numbness to a momentary blackout.

Common phrases

  • 修理电器时触电xiū lǐ diàn qì shí chù diàn

    get an electric shock while fixing an appliance

  • 用湿手拔插头的时候触电yòng shī shǒu bá chā tóu de shí hòu chù diàn

    get an electric shock when pulling out a plug with wet hands

  • 被高压线触电bèi gāo yā xiàn chù diàn

    get an electric shock from a high-voltage wire

Similar words

电击diàn jī: Shock a person or object with enough electric current to cause harm.
电到diàn dào: Experience a short, light electric shock from touching something.

Definition in Chinese

接触带电物体后，身体被电流刺激而出现疼痛、麻木或短暂失去知觉的情况。jiē chù dài diàn wù tǐ hòu shēn tǐ bèi diàn liú cì jī ér chū xiàn téng tòng má mù huò duǎn zàn shī qù zhī jué de qíng kuàng

Word origin

The compound 触 (chù, "touch") + 电 (diàn, "electricity") links the contact with electricity directly to the body's resulting reaction.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may associate "shock" with surprise, but this Chinese verb refers specifically to an electrical accident rather than an emotional reaction.

Related words

  • 触电事故chù diàn shì gùelectric shock accidentnoun

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