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电源 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
电源diànyuánelectric power sourceHSK 6, n, rank #5588, Medium
diànyuán(dian4yuan2) T4
  1. 1electric power source
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March 24, 2026
电源(電源)diànyuán(dian4yuan2)

电源 (diàn yuán) refers to an electric power source, commonly used to describe devices or systems that provide electrical energy to other devices or components. It can refer to both the physical outlet or battery as well as the overall concept of energy supply in electronics and electrical engineering.

Frequency#5588DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In modern Chinese culture, the reliance on electric power sources is crucial in urban life, with most households depending on multiple electrical devices. The term 电源 is frequently encountered in discussions about technology and innovations, reflecting the rapid development of the electronics industry in China.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant battery (源) that stands tall and provides energy (电) to various devices. The battery is the source (源) of electric power (电), symbolizing the flow of energy. Visualize the energy flowing out like electricity sparking from the source, which can help you remember the pronunciation and meaning.

Meanings of 电源

diànyuán(dian4yuan2)
1electric power source
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 电源

电源Simplified
電源Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5588Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 电源

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Podcast: 电源

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AI Study Notes for 电源

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a giant battery (源) that stands tall and provides energy (电) to various devices. The battery is the source (源) of electric power (电), symbolizing the flow of energy. Visualize the energy flowing out like electricity sparking from the source, which can help you remember the pronunciation and meaning.

Usage Notes

When using 电源, pay attention to the context as it can describe both the source itself or the concept of power supply. It is often used in technical or formal settings, so be sure to use it appropriately in conversations about electronics. A common mistake is to confuse it with 电池 (battery), which specifically refers to a battery rather than a power source.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 term, understanding 电源 helps learners connect to other technical vocabulary related to electronics like 电流 (electric current) and 电压 (voltage). Focus on sentence structures that describe how different devices are powered, enhancing your technical language skills in Mandarin.

Cultural Note

In modern Chinese culture, the reliance on electric power sources is crucial in urban life, with most households depending on multiple electrical devices. The term 电源 is frequently encountered in discussions about technology and innovations, reflecting the rapid development of the electronics industry in China.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 电源 with 电池, mistakenly using 电源 when they mean battery. For example, saying '我需要一个电源' (I need a power source) instead of '我需要一个电池' (I need a battery) can lead to misunderstanding.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 电源

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Component Characters

diànelectric
HSK 35 strokes
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yuánroot
HSK 513 strokes
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Write 电源

Practice writing 电源 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 电源

电源 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他在用你家里的____给他的车载蓄电池充电。

He is using your mains electricity to recharge his car battery.

Example Sentences for 电源 (6)

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1
他在用你家里的电源给他的车载蓄电池充电。

tā zài yòng nǐ jiā lǐ de diàn yuán gěi tā de chē zǎi xù diàn chí chōng diàn。

He is using your mains electricity to recharge his car battery.
2
她说话间,我把水壶灌满并插上了电源。

tā shuō huà jiān, , wǒ bǎ shuǐ hú guàn mǎn bìng chā shàng le diàn。

I filled the kettle while she was talking and plugged it in.
3
他们给录音机接上了电源。

tā mén gěi lù yīn jī jiē shàng le diàn yuán。

They plugged in their tape-recorders.
4
我在哪里能接上吹风机的电源?

wǒ zài nǎ lǐ néng jiē shàng chuī fēng jī de diàn yuán?

Where can I plug in my hairdrier?
5
与纯电动汽车不同,混合动力车永远不需要接电源。

yǔ chún diàn dòng qì chē bù tóng, , hùn hé dòng lì chē yǒng yuǎn bù xū yào jiē diàn。

Hybrids, unlike pure electric cars, never need to be plugged in.
6
单支红色发光二极管表示电源已接通。

dān zhī hóng sè fā guāng èr jí guǎn biǎo shì diàn yuán yǐ jiē tōng。

A single red LED shows that the power is switched on.

Cultural Notes for 电源

🏮Cultural insight

In modern Chinese culture, the reliance on electric power sources is crucial in urban life, with most households depending on multiple electrical devices. The term 电源 is frequently encountered in discussions about technology and innovations, reflecting the rapid development of the electronics industry in China.

Frequently Asked Questions about 电源

You can say, '这个设备需要一个电源才能工作' (This device needs a power source to operate).