Understanding 电线
The word 电线 (diànxiàn) specifically refers to electric wires or cables that conduct electricity. It is a compound of 电 (electricity) and 线 (line, wire). This term is commonly used in everyday contexts involving electrical installations, repairs, and safety warnings.
Usage Notes
电线 is a concrete noun and usually appears in contexts related to infrastructure, construction, or electrical safety. It often collocates with verbs like 修理 (repair), 触摸 (touch), or 埋 (embed). When talking about electrical wiring in buildings or devices, 电线 is the standard term.
Common Collocations
- 修理电线 (repair electric wires): used when fixing broken or damaged wires.
- 断了的电线 (broken electric wire): describes a wire that is cut or damaged.
- 触摸电线 (touch electric wires): often appears in safety warnings.
- 埋电线 (embed electric wires): refers to placing wires inside walls or underground.
Avoiding Confusion
Do not confuse 电线 with 电缆 (diànlǎn), which refers to thicker cables often used for high-voltage or outdoor transmission. 电线 usually implies thinner wires used inside buildings or devices.
Register and Tone
电线 is a neutral, standard term suitable for both spoken and written Chinese, including technical and everyday contexts.