Overview
The word "灯" (dēng) primarily refers to a lamp or light source used for illumination. It is a common noun in everyday Chinese, appearing in contexts ranging from household lighting to traffic signals.
Usage Notes
"灯" can denote various types of lamps, including electric lamps, decorative lamps, and traffic lights. It often appears in compound words such as "红灯" (red light) or "台灯" (desk lamp).
Common Collocations
- 红灯 (hóng dēng): red light, used in traffic signals to indicate stop.
- 绿灯 (lǜ dēng): green light, indicating go.
- 台灯 (tái dēng): desk lamp, a common household lamp.
- 灯光 (dēng guāng): light from a lamp, often used to describe lighting effects.
Register and Tone
"灯" is neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is a basic vocabulary item taught at HSK level 3.
Common Confusions
Do not confuse "灯" with "灯笼" (dēnglóng), which specifically means lantern. While both relate to light sources, "灯" is more general and modern, whereas "灯笼" often refers to traditional decorative lanterns.