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March 24, 2026
电台(電臺)diàntái(dian4tai2)
电台 (diàn tái) refers to a radio station or broadcasting station that transmits and receives audio signals. It is commonly used in contexts related to media, communication, and entertainment, such as listening to music or news broadcasts.
Strokes10Frequency#3650DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In China, radio stations play a vital role in disseminating information and entertainment, especially in rural areas where internet access may be limited. Listening to radio broadcasts is a common practice during daily commutes.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant radio tower (电) that sends signals out to a wide area (台). The sound travels through the air like electricity, connecting people to their favorite shows, much like how electricity powers your devices.
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AI Study Notes for 电台
Quick Contrast
广播 (guǎngbò, broadcast) vs 电台 (diàntái, radio station) — use 电台 when specifically referring to the station itself, not the act of broadcasting.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tones; incorrectly using 'diān tái' instead of 'diàn tái' could confuse listeners. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, and common collocations include '收听电台' (listen to the radio station) and '电台节目' (radio program).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, students should focus on recognizing its components and understanding its role in media vocabulary. It connects well with other HSK 5 words related to communication, such as '广播' (broadcast) and '新闻' (news).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 电台 with related words like 收音机 (radio), which refers to the device itself rather than the station. For example, saying '我在电台听收音机' (I listen to the radio on the radio station) is incorrect; it should be '我在收音机上听电台'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 电台
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电台 (diàn tái) refers to a radio station or broadcasting station that transmits and receives audio signals. It is commonly used in contexts related to media, communication, and entertainment, such as listening to music or news broadcasts.
When to use 电台
Be cautious with the tones; incorrectly using 'diān tái' instead of 'diàn tái' could confuse listeners. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, and common collocations include '收听电台' (listen to the radio station) and '电台节目' (radio program).
电台 or something close to it
广播 (guǎngbò, broadcast) vs 电台 (diàntái, radio station) — use 电台 when specifically referring to the station itself, not the act of broadcasting.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 电台 with related words like 收音机 (radio), which refers to the device itself rather than the station. For example, saying '我在电台听收音机' (I listen to the radio on the radio station) is incorrect; it should be '我在收音机上听电台'.
Write 电台
电
台
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Grammar Patterns of 电台
电台 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
广播____声称已经消灭了87,000名“反动分子”。
The radio station claimed that 87,000 "reactionaries" had been eliminated.
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Cultural Notes for 电台
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While radio stations are common in both cultures, the reliance on them for news and entertainment can differ; in China, they often serve as primary sources of information, especially in remote areas, unlike in many Western countries where digital media predominates.
Frequently Asked Questions about 电台
电台 refers specifically to the radio station itself, while 广播 refers to the act of broadcasting or the content that is transmitted.
You can say '我每天早上听电台' (I listen to the radio station every morning).
Yes, 电台 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, suitable for news articles or casual conversations.
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