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March 24, 2026
闪电(閃電)shǎndiàn(shan3dian4)
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.
Frequency#3841DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, lightning is often viewed with awe and is associated with the power of nature. It appears in various proverbs and idioms, emphasizing the suddenness and unpredictability of life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bolt of lightning (闪) striking down like a sharp knife (电). The character for lightning combines the radical for 'light' (火) with a representation of sharpness, helping you remember both the form and meaning of the word.
Meanings of 闪电
shǎndiàn(shan3dian4)
1lightning
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About 闪电
闪电Simplified
閃電Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3841Frequency Rank
道Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 闪电
Podcast: 闪电
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AI Study Notes for 闪电
Quick Contrast
雷 (léi, thunder) — use 闪电 when referring specifically to the visual phenomenon of lightning, while 雷 refers to the sound that accompanies it.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a bolt of lightning (闪) striking down like a sharp knife (电). The character for lightning combines the radical for 'light' (火) with a representation of sharpness, helping you remember both the form and meaning of the word.
Usage Notes
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.
HSK Study Tips
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.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, lightning is often viewed with awe and is associated with the power of nature. It appears in various proverbs and idioms, emphasizing the suddenness and unpredictability of life.
Common Mistakes
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).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 闪电
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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.
fù lán kè lín de shí yàn biǎo míng shǎn diàn shì yī zhǒng fàng diàn.
Franklin's experiments showed that the lightning is an electrical discharge.
8
那棵大树被闪电劈开了.
nà kē dà shù bèi shǎn diàn pī kāi le.
The big tree was split by the lightning.
9
闪电把一棵树劈开了.
shǎn diàn bǎ yī kē shù pī kāi le.
The lightening splintered a tree.
10
闪电燃着了几栋大楼。
shǎn diàn rán zháo le jī dòng dà lóu。
Lightning set several buildings on fire.
Cultural Notes for 闪电
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, lightning is often viewed with awe and is associated with the power of nature. It appears in various proverbs and idioms, emphasizing the suddenness and unpredictability of life.
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.'
闪电 is used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in spoken language.
The correct measure word is 道 (dào), so you would say '一道闪电' (yī dào shǎndiàn) for 'a bolt of lightning'.
