Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== táidēng: 台灯 - Desk Lamp, Table Lamp ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 台灯, táidēng, desk lamp, table lamp, Chinese for lamp, study lamp, Chinese vocabulary for furniture, HSK 2 vocabulary, learn Chinese, Chinese word for light * **Summary:** Learn how to say "desk lamp" or "table lamp" in Chinese with our complete guide to **台灯 (táidēng)**. This essential HSK 2 vocabulary word is perfect for students, office workers, or anyone describing items in a room. Discover its simple character breakdown, its cultural link to the importance of education in China, and see 10 practical example sentences to master its usage in everyday conversation. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** táidēng * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 2 * **Concise Definition:** A lamp designed to be used on a table or desk. * **In a Nutshell:** **台灯 (táidēng)** is a very literal and straightforward word. It combines the characters for "platform/desk" and "lamp" to mean exactly what it sounds like: a lamp that sits on a desk or table. It's a high-frequency, practical noun for describing common objects in a home, school, or office setting. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **台 (tái):** This character can mean "platform," "stage," "stand," or in this context, "desk" or "table." Think of it as any flat, raised surface. * **灯 (dēng):** This character means "lamp" or "light." The radical on the left is `火 (huǒ)`, which means "fire," indicating the character's connection to light and heat. * When combined, **台灯 (táidēng)** literally translates to "platform/desk lamp," making it a very logical and easy-to-remember compound word. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== While a desk lamp is a simple object, the **台灯 (táidēng)** carries a significant cultural weight in China, closely tied to the value of education and diligence. For many Chinese families, the **台灯** is a symbol of a child's academic efforts. It represents the "midnight oil" burned while studying for crucial exams, especially the national college entrance exam, the //gaokao// (高考). A picture of a student working hard under the focused beam of a desk lamp is a powerful image of aspiration and filial piety—fulfilling parents' hopes through academic achievement. In contrast to Western culture, where a desk lamp might be seen primarily as a functional utility or a piece of interior design, in China, it's often an emblem of the long, arduous, but hopeful journey of a scholar. It's less about decoration and more about dedication. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **台灯 (táidēng)** is used in everyday conversation just like "desk lamp" is in English. It's a neutral term suitable for any context, from casual chats to shopping for furniture. Common collocations include: * **开台灯 (kāi táidēng):** to turn on the desk lamp * **关台灯 (guān táidēng):** to turn off the desk lamp * **一盏台灯 (yì zhǎn táidēng):** a desk lamp (using the proper measure word `盏`) It's frequently used when describing a room, discussing study habits, or buying home goods. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 天黑了，请把**台灯**打开。 * Pinyin: Tiān hēi le, qǐng bǎ **táidēng** dǎkāi. * English: It's dark now, please turn on the desk lamp. * Analysis: This is a common, polite request. `打开 (dǎkāi)` is a synonym for `开 (kāi)` meaning "to turn on" or "to open." * **Example 2:** * 我需要买一个新的**台灯**，因为这个太暗了。 * Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào mǎi yí ge xīn de **táidēng**, yīnwèi zhège tài àn le. * English: I need to buy a new desk lamp because this one is too dim. * Analysis: A perfect example of a sentence you'd use while shopping or discussing household needs. * **Example 3:** * 他的书桌上有一盏很漂亮的**台灯**。 * Pinyin: Tā de shūzhuō shàng yǒu yì zhǎn hěn piàoliang de **táidēng**. * English: There is a very beautiful desk lamp on his desk. * Analysis: This sentence uses the correct measure word for lamps, `盏 (zhǎn)`. While `个 (ge)` is often acceptable in spoken Chinese, `盏` is more precise. * **Example 4:** * 为了保护眼睛，你应该在光线好的地方用**台灯**看书。 * Pinyin: Wèile bǎohù yǎnjing, nǐ yīnggāi zài guāngxiàn hǎo de dìfang yòng **táidēng** kàn shū. * English: To protect your eyes, you should use a desk lamp to read in a well-lit place. * Analysis: This shows the functional purpose of a **台灯** and is a common piece of advice from parents or teachers. * **Example 5:** * 我的**台灯**坏了，晚上没法学习了。 * Pinyin: Wǒ de **táidēng** huài le, wǎnshang méi fǎ xuéxí le. * English: My desk lamp is broken, so I can't study tonight. * Analysis: `坏了 (huài le)` is a simple and essential phrase meaning "is broken." * **Example 6:** * 这盏**台灯**可以调节亮度吗？ * Pinyin: Zhè zhǎn **táidēng** kěyǐ tiáojié liàngdù ma? * English: Can this desk lamp's brightness be adjusted? * Analysis: A very practical question to ask a salesperson. `调节 (tiáojié)` means "to adjust." * **Example 7:** * 睡觉前，别忘了关**台灯**。 * Pinyin: Shuìjiào qián, bié wàng le guān **táidēng**. * English: Before you go to sleep, don't forget to turn off the desk lamp. * Analysis: `别忘了 (bié wàng le)` is a useful phrase for giving reminders. * **Example 8:** * 这个**台灯**的设计很现代。 * Pinyin: Zhège **táidēng** de shèjì hěn xiàndài. * English: The design of this desk lamp is very modern. * Analysis: Demonstrates how to talk about the aesthetics or style of the object. * **Example 9:** * 我把**台灯**放在了床头柜上。 * Pinyin: Wǒ bǎ **táidēng** fàng zài le chuángtóuguì shàng. * English: I put the table lamp on the nightstand. * Analysis: This shows that **台灯** can refer to a "table lamp" on a nightstand, not just a desk lamp for studying. * **Example 10:** * 如果没有**台灯**，我在这个房间里就看不清东西了。 * Pinyin: Rúguǒ méiyǒu **táidēng**, wǒ zài zhège fángjiān lǐ jiù kàn bu qīng dōngxi le. * English: If there were no desk lamp, I wouldn't be able to see things clearly in this room. * Analysis: A good example of a conditional sentence using `如果...就... (rúguǒ...jiù...)`. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Specificity is Key:** The most common mistake is using the general word `[[灯]] (dēng)` when you specifically mean a desk lamp. `灯 (dēng)` can be any light (ceiling light, flashlight, etc.). If it's on a desk or table, you must use **台灯 (táidēng)** to be clear. * **Incorrect:** `我的桌子上有一个灯。(Wǒ de zhuōzi shàng yǒu yí ge dēng.)` - This is grammatically okay but vague. * **Correct:** `我的桌子上有一盏台灯。(Wǒ de zhuōzi shàng yǒu yì zhǎn táidēng.)` - This is specific and natural. * **The Right Measure Word:** The most appropriate measure word for lamps is `盏 (zhǎn)`. While many native speakers use the all-purpose `个 (ge)` in casual conversation (`一个台灯`), using `一盏台灯` sounds more educated and is standard in written Chinese. For a learner, mastering `盏` is a great way to make your Chinese sound more authentic. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[灯]] (dēng) - The general term for "lamp" or "light." **台灯** is a type of **灯**. * [[电灯]] (diàndēng) - Electric light/lamp. A broader term that includes **台灯**. * [[落地灯]] (luòdìdēng) - Floor lamp (literally "floor-landing lamp"). * [[吊灯]] (diàodēng) - Chandelier or pendant light (literally "hanging lamp"). * [[开灯]] (kāi dēng) - To turn on a light. * [[关灯]] (guān dēng) - To turn off a light. * [[书桌]] (shūzhuō) - Desk; the place where a **台灯** is most commonly found. * [[学习]] (xuéxí) - To study; the activity most associated with using a **台灯**. * [[盏]] (zhǎn) - The correct and formal measure word for lamps. * [[亮度]] (liàngdù) - Brightness; a quality of the light from a **台灯**.