Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "power outage" with 停电 (tíngdiàn)

    Actions & Events
    Result & Consequence

    Explanation

    停电 (tíngdiàn) means "power outage" or "power cut," describing the loss or deliberate cutting of electrical supply. It combines 停 (to stop) and 电 (electricity) and can refer to both planned and unplanned outages.

    Examples

    • 昨晚突然停电了,我只好点蜡烛写作业。

      Zuówǎn tūrán tíngdiàn le, wǒ zhǐhǎo diǎn làzhú xiě zuòyè.

      The power suddenly went out last night, so I had to light a candle to do my homework.

    • 夏天用电量太大,这个小区经常停电。

      Xiàtiān yòngdiànliàng tài dà, zhège xiǎoqū jīngcháng tíngdiàn.

      Electricity consumption is too high in summer, so this neighborhood often has power outages.

    • 停电了三个小时,冰箱里的菜都快坏了。

      Tíngdiàn le sān gè xiǎoshí, bīngxiāng lǐ de cài dōu kuài huài le.

      The power was out for three hours, and the food in the fridge was about to go bad.

    Expressing "power outage" with 停电 (tíngdiàn) | Chinese Grammar