Meanings of 闪电
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Podcast: 闪电
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AI Study Notes for 闪电
雷 (léi, thunder) — use 闪电 when referring specifically to the visual phenomenon of lightning, while 雷 refers to the sound that accompanies it.
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.
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.
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).
Pronunciation of 闪电
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Jason Explains 闪电 to You
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Learning Lab
Knowing 闪电 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Component Characters
How to say lightning in Chinese
“lightning” in Chinese is闪电
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
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Practice writing 闪电 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
Fill the gap
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天空中的____忽明忽暗，照亮了整个夜空。
The lightning in the sky flickered between bright and dark, illuminating the whole night sky.
Example Sentences for 闪电 (10)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 闪电
You can say, '今天晚上会有闪电' (Jīntiān wǎnshàng huì yǒu shǎndiàn), which means 'There will be lightning tonight.'
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