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发电 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
发电fādiànto generate electricityHSK 6, unknown, rank #14056, Hard
发电fādiànto send a telegramHSK 6, unknown, rank #14056, Hard
fādiàn(fa1dian4) T1
  1. 1to generate electricity
  2. 2to send a telegram
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March 24, 2026
发电(發電)fādiàn(fa1dian4)

发电 (fā diàn) means 'to generate electricity' and can also refer to 'sending a telegram'. It is commonly used in contexts related to energy production, such as power plants, as well as in communications, highlighting its dual usage in modern technology and infrastructure.

Frequency#14056DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In China, 发电 is a significant concept as the country has been investing heavily in renewable energy sources, making electricity generation a key topic in discussions about environmental sustainability and economic development.

Memory Tip

Imagine a '发' (to send) that '电' (electricity) is flowing from a power plant. Visualize a factory where workers are busy generating electricity, and picture a telegram being sent with a lightning bolt, symbolizing fast communication.

Meanings of 发电

fādiàn(fa1dian4)
1to generate electricity
2to send a telegram
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About 发电

发电Simplified
發電Traditional
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 发电

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Podcast: 发电

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AI Study Notes for 发电

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a '发' (to send) that '电' (electricity) is flowing from a power plant. Visualize a factory where workers are busy generating electricity, and picture a telegram being sent with a lightning bolt, symbolizing fast communication.

Usage Notes

When using 发电 in a sentence, be aware of its context to avoid confusion with the telegram meaning. It’s more formal in technical discussions about energy but can be used informally when discussing communication. Remember to use the correct tones: 发 (fā) is first tone, and 电 (diàn) is fourth tone.

HSK Study Tips

While 发电 is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary, it connects with HSK Level 3 words related to electricity and technology. Focus on recognizing the characters and their tones, as well as practicing their use in sentences related to energy production or communication.

Cultural Note

In China, 发电 is a significant concept as the country has been investing heavily in renewable energy sources, making electricity generation a key topic in discussions about environmental sustainability and economic development.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 发电 with 发送 (to send), leading to incorrect phrases like '我发电了一封信' (I generated electricity a letter), which should be '我发送了一封信'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 发电

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Component Characters

to send out
HSK 35 strokes
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diànelectric
HSK 35 strokes
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Write 发电

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Cultural Notes for 发电

🏮Cultural insight

In China, 发电 is a significant concept as the country has been investing heavily in renewable energy sources, making electricity generation a key topic in discussions about environmental sustainability and economic development.

Frequently Asked Questions about 发电

发电 specifically refers to generating electricity, while 发送 (fā sòng) means to send something, like a package or message.