电台

• Pinyin: diàn tái
• Hanzi breakdown: 电 (electric) + 台 (platform/station)

Meaning

Radio station; broadcasting station. An organisation or facility that transmits radio programmes.

Refers to radio broadcasting stations. Though less dominant than TV in modern China, radio remains popular for traffic reports, music, and talk shows.

Examples

1. 我每天开车的时候都听电台节目。 I listen to radio programmes every day when I drive.
2. 这个电台播放很多流行音乐。 This radio station plays a lot of pop music.
3. 她是一位电台主持人。 She is a radio host.

Usage Guide

Context: media, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你常听哪个电台？(Which radio station do you usually listen to?)
• 电台里正在播放一首很好听的歌。(A very nice song is playing on the radio.)

Don't Say

• 我在电台上看新闻 (Don't use 看 with 电台 — radio is listened to, not watched; use 听 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 电 (electric) and 台 (platform, station), literally 'electric station,' originally a short form for radio station.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal