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电动 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
电动diàndòngelectric-poweredHSK 5, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #10550, Hard
电动diàndòng(Tw) video gameHSK 5, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #10550, Hard
diàndòng(dian4dong4) T4
  1. 1electric-powered
  2. 2(Tw) video game
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March 24, 2026

电动(電動)diàndòng(dian4dong4)

电动 (diàn dòng) refers to devices or machinery that are powered by electricity. It is commonly used in contexts involving electric vehicles, tools, or appliances, emphasizing their reliance on electric power rather than manual operation or other energy sources.

Strokes11Frequency#10550DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In China, electric bikes and scooters are prevalent in urban areas, making '电动' a common term in daily life. The rise of electric vehicles is part of China's larger strategy for sustainable transportation.

Memory Tip

Imagine a toy that runs on batteries, buzzing and moving as if it has its own life. The character 电 (diàn) looks like an electric wire, while 动 (dòng) resembles movement; together, they evoke the image of something that 'moves with electricity'.

Meanings of 电动

diàndòng(dian4dong4)
1electric-powered
2(Tw) video game
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About 电动

电动Simplified
電動Traditional
11Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 电动

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Podcast: 电动

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AI Study Notes for 电动

Quick Contrast

电气 (diànqì) refers to electrical systems or technology in general, while 电动 (diàndòng) specifically emphasizes devices powered by electricity.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone of '动' (dòng) as mispronouncing it can change the meaning. This term is generally informal but is widely understood in both casual and technical discussions. Common collocations include 电动汽车 (electric car) and 电动工具 (electric tools).

HSK Study Tips

While '电动' is not an official HSK word, it incorporates the HSK character 电 (electric) and 动 (to move). Students should focus on how this word is used in technology and everyday life, connecting it with other HSK vocabulary related to transportation or energy.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '电动' with '电池' (battery), thinking they are interchangeable. Remember, '电动' refers to electric-powered devices, while '电池' specifically means a battery or power source.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 电动

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Component Characters

电diànelectric
HSK 35 strokes曰
View full entry
动dòngto use
HSK 26 strokes力
View full entry

How to say electric-powered in Chinese

“electric-powered” in Chinese is电动diàndòng

电动 (diàn dòng) refers to devices or machinery that are powered by electricity. It is commonly used in contexts involving electric vehicles, tools, or appliances, emphasizing their reliance on electric power rather than manual operation or other energy sources.

When to use 电动

Be cautious with the tone of '动' (dòng) as mispronouncing it can change the meaning. This term is generally informal but is widely understood in both casual and technical discussions. Common collocations include 电动汽车 (electric car) and 电动工具 (electric tools).

电动 or something close to it

电气 (diànqì) refers to electrical systems or technology in general, while 电动 (diàndòng) specifically emphasizes devices powered by electricity.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '电动' with '电池' (battery), thinking they are interchangeable. Remember, '电动' refers to electric-powered devices, while '电池' specifically means a battery or power source.

Write 电动

电
动

Practice writing 电动 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 电动

Make sure to use a falling tone for '电' (diàn) and a falling tone for '动' (dòng).

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