duàndiàn: 断电 - Power Outage, Power Cut, To Cut Off Power

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• Summary: Learn how to say 'power outage' or 'power cut' in Chinese with our deep dive into the word 断电 (duàndiàn). This essential term describes everything from a sudden blackout during a storm to a scheduled electricity cut-off for maintenance. This page will teach you the meaning, character breakdown, and practical use of 断电 in modern China, complete with numerous example sentences and a guide to avoid common mistakes.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): duàn diàn
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To cut off the electricity supply; a power outage.
• In a Nutshell: 断电 (duàndiàn) is the go-to term for any situation where the electricity stops working. It's a very literal word that combines “to sever” and “electricity.” Whether it's a planned maintenance event, an accidental blackout from a storm, or the power company cutting you off for an unpaid bill, 断电 accurately describes the situation. It can function as a noun (“a power cut”) or a verb (“to cut the power”).

• 断 (duàn): This character means “to break,” “to sever,” or “to cut off.” It's composed of 丝 (sī) on the left, suggesting threads or a connection, and 斤 (jīn) on the right, which is the radical for “axe.” Pictorially, it represents an axe cutting through tangled threads, vividly conveying the idea of severing something.
• 电 (diàn): This character means “electricity” or “lightning.” The original pictograph showed a lightning bolt stretching down from the clouds, representing a powerful, instantaneous natural force.
• When combined, 断电 (duàndiàn) literally means “to sever the electricity,” a logical and memorable construction for “power cut.”

While a “power outage” is a universal modern inconvenience, the context around 断电 in China has some unique aspects. For many years during China's rapid economic development (especially in the 1980s and 90s), the power grid struggled to keep up with demand. As a result, `计划性断电 (jìhuàxìng duàndiàn)` or “planned power cuts” were a common part of life, especially in summer. neighborhoods would have scheduled outages to conserve energy. While this is rare in major cities today, the collective memory of planned outages makes the concept less of an unexpected crisis and more of a manageable, albeit annoying, event for older generations. In the West, a power outage is almost always seen as an accident or failure of the system (e.g., due to a storm). The idea of a utility company scheduling an outage for a whole neighborhood is less common. Furthermore, in today's hyper-digital China, a 断电 can be uniquely disruptive. It doesn't just mean the lights go out; it means no Wi-Fi, and critically, it can cripple the mobile payment systems (WeChat Pay, Alipay) that are essential for everything from buying groceries to paying for a taxi. A 断电 can effectively cut you off from the modern economy until power is restored.

断电 is a standard, neutral term used in a variety of everyday situations.

• As a Noun (a power outage): You often use it with verbs like `发生 (fāshēng)` (to occur) or nouns like `通知 (tōngzhī)` (notice).
  • “There was a power outage.” → `发生了断电 (fāshēng le duàndiàn)`.
  • “A power outage notice.” → `断电通知 (duàndiàn tōngzhī)`.
• As a Verb (to cut the power): This can describe an action taken by a person or company, or it can describe the event itself.
  • “The typhoon caused the power to go out.” → `台风导致了断电 (táifēng dǎozhì le duàndiàn)`.
  • “The company will cut the power tomorrow.” → `公司明天要断电 (gōngsī míngtiān yào duàndiàn)`.
• Informal vs. Formal: The term is used in both formal notices from a power company and in casual complaints among friends. Its meaning is direct and doesn't change much with context.

• Example 1:
  • 昨天晚上因为暴风雨，我们小区突然断电了。
  • Pinyin: Zuótiān wǎnshang yīnwèi bàofēngyǔ, wǒmen xiǎoqū tūrán duàndiàn le.
  • English: Last night, our residential complex suddenly had a power outage because of the storm.
  • Analysis: A classic example of describing an unplanned power cut caused by an external event. `突然 (tūrán)` emphasizes the unexpected nature.
• Example 2:
  • 如果你再不交电费，电力公司会给你家断电的。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ zài bù jiāo diànfèi, diànlì gōngsī huì gěi nǐ jiā duàndiàn de.
  • English: If you don't pay the electricity bill, the power company will cut off your home's power.
  • Analysis: Here, 断电 is used as a transitive verb, an action performed by the power company as a consequence.
• Example 3:
  • 物业贴出通知，说周三上午要断电三小时进行线路检修。
  • Pinyin: Wùyè tiē chū tōngzhī, shuō zhōusān shàngwǔ yào duàndiàn sān xiǎoshí jìnxíng xiànlù jiǎnxiū.
  • English: The property management posted a notice saying there will be a power cut for three hours on Wednesday morning for line maintenance.
  • Analysis: This illustrates a planned, scheduled power cut (`计划性断电`). The duration is often specified.
• Example 4:
  • 哎呀，电脑突然断电，我刚写的报告还没保存！
  • Pinyin: Āiyā, diànnǎo tūrán duàndiàn, wǒ gāng xiě de bàogào hái méi bǎocún!
  • English: Oh no, the power to the computer was suddenly cut, and I hadn't saved the report I just wrote!
  • Analysis: This shows the immediate, frustrating consequences of a power outage. It refers to the power source of the computer, not its internal battery.
• Example 5:
  • 你们家也断电了吗？我还以为是我家跳闸了。
  • Pinyin: Nǐmen jiā yě duàndiàn le ma? Wǒ hái yǐwéi shì wǒjiā tiàozhá le.
  • English: Did your house lose power too? I thought my circuit breaker just tripped.
  • Analysis: A very common question to ask a neighbor to determine the scale of the outage. It contrasts a wider 断电 with a localized issue like `跳闸 (tiàozhá)`.
• Example 6:
  • 这家工厂因为断电，所有生产线都停了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngchǎng yīnwèi duàndiàn, suǒyǒu shēngchǎn xiàn dōu tíng le.
  • English: Because of the power outage, all the production lines at this factory have stopped.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the impact of a 断电 in a commercial or industrial context.
• Example 7:
  • 断电之后，整个城市陷入了一片黑暗。
  • Pinyin: Duàndiàn zhīhòu, zhěnggè chéngshì xiànrùle yīpiàn hēi'àn.
  • English: After the power went out, the entire city was plunged into darkness.
  • Analysis: Using 断电 as the event that triggers a subsequent state. `之后 (zhīhòu)` means “after.”
• Example 8:
  • 别担心，我们有备用发电机，断电了也不怕。
  • Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, wǒmen yǒu bèiyòng fādiànjī, duàndiàn le yě bùpà.
  • English: Don't worry, we have a backup generator, so we aren't afraid even if the power goes out.
  • Analysis: Shows how one might prepare for or mitigate the effects of a 断电.
• Example 9:
  • 由于设备过载，服务器机房自动断电了。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú shèbèi guòzài, fúwùqì jīfáng zìdòng duàndiàn le.
  • English: Due to an equipment overload, the server room automatically cut off power.
  • Analysis: A technical usage. Here, `自动断电 (zìdòng duàndiàn)` is a safety feature, an “automatic power-off.”
• Example 10:
  • 他今天好像脑子断电了，问什么都反应很慢。
  • Pinyin: Tā jīntiān hǎoxiàng nǎozi duàndiàn le, wèn shénme dōu fǎnyìng hěn màn.
  • English: It seems like his brain had a power outage today; he's reacting very slowly to everything.
  • Analysis: A figurative, informal usage. “Brain power cut” is a metaphor for being mentally sluggish, zoned out, or unable to think clearly. This is less common than the literal meaning but perfectly understandable.

• `断电 (duàndiàn)` vs. `停电 (tíngdiàn)`:
  • These two terms are largely interchangeable in everyday conversation when referring to a power outage. 停电 (tíngdiàn) literally means “stop electricity” and describes the *state* of being without power. 断电 (duàndiàn) means “sever electricity” and can more strongly imply the *action* of cutting the power.
  • For example, the power company performs the action of 断电 if you don't pay your bill. The resulting state is 停电. However, most native speakers use them synonymously for a general outage. 断电 can sometimes sound slightly more abrupt or forceful.
• `断电 (duàndiàn)` vs. `没电 (méi diàn)` - A CRITICAL MISTAKE TO AVOID:
  • English speakers often confuse these. 断电 refers to the interruption of an external power supply from the grid. 没电 (méi diàn), meaning “no electricity,” refers to a device running out of its internal battery power.
  • Incorrect: ~~我的手机断电了。~~ (Wǒ de shǒujī duàndiàn le.) - This would imply the entire power grid connected to your phone's charger went down.
  • Correct: 我的手机没电了。 (Wǒ de shǒujī méi diàn le.) - My phone is out of battery / dead.
  • Correct: 因为断电了，所以我不能给手机充电。 (Yīnwèi duàndiàn le, suǒyǐ wǒ bùnéng gěi shǒujī chōngdiàn.) - Because there's a power outage, I can't charge my phone.

• 停电 (tíngdiàn) - A very common synonym for a power outage, literally “stop electricity.” Often used to describe the state of being without power.
• 没电 (méi diàn) - “Out of battery.” Used exclusively for devices with their own power source, like phones, laptops, and flashlights.
• 来电 (lái diàn) - The direct antonym: “The power is back on.” Literally “electricity comes.”
• 电费 (diànfèi) - “Electricity bill.” A common reason for a planned 断电.
• 跳闸 (tiàozhá) - “To trip a circuit breaker.” A common cause for a power outage localized to a single apartment or building.
• 充电 (chōngdiàn) - “To charge” (a battery). Something you cannot do during a 断电.
• 充电宝 (chōngdiànbǎo) - “Power bank” or “portable charger.” An essential item to have during a 断电.
• 发电机 (fādiànjī) - “Generator.” A machine that provides power during a 断电.
• 电力 (diànlì) - “Electric power” or “electrical energy” as a general concept.