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闪电 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
闪电
shǎndiàn
lightning
HSK 6, v, 10 strokes, rank #3841, Hard
shǎndiàn(shan3dian4)shan dian T3
1lightning
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March 24, 2026
闪电(閃電)shǎndiàn(shan3dian4)
闪电 (shǎndiàn) refers to the natural electrical discharge that occurs during a storm, commonly known as lightning. It is often associated with thunder and can be a symbol of power and suddenness in various contexts, such as literature and conversation.
Strokes10Frequency#3841DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, lightning is often viewed with awe and is associated with the power of nature. It appears in various proverbs and idioms, emphasizing the suddenness and unpredictability of life.
Memory tip
Imagine a bolt of lightning (闪) striking down like a sharp knife (电). The character for lightning combines the radical for 'light' (火) with a representation of sharpness, helping you remember both the form and meaning of the word.
Meanings of 闪电
shǎndiàn(shan3dian4)
1lightning
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About 闪电
闪电Simplified
閃電Traditional
10Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3841Frequency Rank
道Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 闪电
Podcast: 闪电
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AI study notes for 闪电
Quick Contrast
雷 (léi, thunder) — use 闪电 when referring specifically to the visual phenomenon of lightning, while 雷 refers to the sound that accompanies it.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 闪电 with other weather-related terms. Remember that 闪电 specifically refers to lightning, while other words may describe rain or storms. In informal contexts, it can be used metaphorically to describe anything that happens very quickly.
HSK Study Tips
As HSK Level 5 vocabulary, 闪电 can be connected to other weather-related words you may have learned, like 雷 (léi, thunder). Focus on using it in sentences that describe weather or dramatic events to solidify your understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners might incorrectly use 闪电 in place of other weather terms, such as using it to describe rain. For example, saying '闪电在下雨' (Lightning is raining) is incorrect; it should be '下雨了' (It's raining).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 闪电
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闪电 (shǎndiàn) refers to the natural electrical discharge that occurs during a storm, commonly known as lightning. It is often associated with thunder and can be a symbol of power and suddenness in various contexts, such as literature and conversation.
When to use 闪电
Learners often confuse 闪电 with other weather-related terms. Remember that 闪电 specifically refers to lightning, while other words may describe rain or storms. In informal contexts, it can be used metaphorically to describe anything that happens very quickly.
闪电 or something close to it
雷 (léi, thunder) — use 闪电 when referring specifically to the visual phenomenon of lightning, while 雷 refers to the sound that accompanies it.
What learners get wrong
Learners might incorrectly use 闪电 in place of other weather terms, such as using it to describe rain. For example, saying '闪电在下雨' (Lightning is raining) is incorrect; it should be '下雨了' (It's raining).
Write 闪电
闪
电
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Practice writing 闪电 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 闪电
闪电 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
