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March 24, 2026
打电话(打電話)dǎdiànhuà(da3dian4hua4)
打电话 (dǎ diànhuà) means 'to make a telephone call.' This phrase is commonly used in informal and formal contexts when referring to the action of calling someone on the phone. It emphasizes the action of initiating communication via telephone.
Frequency#314DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
Making phone calls is an integral part of daily communication in Chinese culture, often used for both personal and business interactions. It reflects the importance of maintaining relationships through direct communication.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant phone with a hand (打) reaching out to press the buttons to call someone. The character 打 looks like a hand doing the action, and 电话 (diànhuà) has '电' which means electric, signifying the electric communication of a call.
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AI Study Notes for 打电话
Quick Contrast
拨打电话 (bōdǎ diànhuà) vs 打电话 (dǎ diànhuà): use 拨打电话 when emphasizing the action of dialing a number, while 打电话 is more general for making a call.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant phone with a hand (打) reaching out to press the buttons to call someone. The character 打 looks like a hand doing the action, and 电话 (diànhuà) has '电' which means electric, signifying the electric communication of a call.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of tone when pronouncing the phrase: 打 (dǎ) is the third tone, while 电话 (diànhuà) uses the fourth tone for both syllables. Common collocations include '打电话给' (dǎ diànhuà gěi) meaning 'to call someone.' Avoid using it in overly formal contexts; instead, use a more formal phrase when appropriate.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 打电话 connects to other basic verbs and daily life vocabulary. Focus on practicing the tones and pronunciation, as well as using it in simple sentences like '我想打电话' (I want to make a phone call).
Cultural Note
Making phone calls is an integral part of daily communication in Chinese culture, often used for both personal and business interactions. It reflects the importance of maintaining relationships through direct communication.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the tones, saying 'dà diànhuà' instead of 'dǎ diànhuà.' Additionally, some may say '打电话给我' without specifying whom to call, which can lead to ambiguity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 打电话
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Grammar Patterns of 打电话
打电话 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
You know you can phone me — here's my mother'snumber.
9
他打电话给劳拉看她是不是好些了。
tā dǎ diàn huà gěi láo lā kàn tā shì bù shì hǎo xiē le。
He'd phoned Laura to see if she was better.
10
我因为没给他打电话，被狠狠训斥了一顿。
wǒ yīn wéi méi gěi tā dǎ diàn huà， ， bèi hěn hěn xùn chì le yī。
I got a severe telling off for not phoning him.
Cultural Notes for 打电话
🏮Cultural insight
Making phone calls is an integral part of daily communication in Chinese culture, often used for both personal and business interactions. It reflects the importance of maintaining relationships through direct communication.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, while phone calls are common, texting and emails have become more prevalent for communication, contrasting the emphasis on phone calls in many Chinese contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions about 打电话
You can say '我打电话给我的朋友' (I call my friend).
It's generally informal; for formal contexts, you might say '拨打电话' (bōdǎ diànhuà) or use a specific title.
电话 (diànhuà) means 'telephone,' with 电 meaning 'electric' and 话 meaning 'speech'.
