电池

• Pinyin: diàn chí
• Hanzi breakdown: 电 = 雨 (rain) + 电 (lightning); 池 = 氵(water) + 也 (phonetic)

Meaning

Battery. A device that stores electrical energy and provides power.

Includes all types of batteries from small disposable ones to rechargeable batteries and car batteries. Common terms include 充电电池 (rechargeable battery), 干电池 (dry cell), and 锂电池 (lithium battery).

Examples

1. 遥控器没反应了，可能需要换电池。 The remote control isn't responding — it probably needs new batteries.
2. 这款手机的电池续航能力很强，一次充电能用两天。 This phone's battery life is very strong — one charge lasts two days.
3. 请不要把废旧电池扔进普通垃圾桶。 Please don't throw used batteries into regular trash cans.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, everyday, electronics

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 电池没电了。(The battery is dead.)
• 换一节电池。(Change the battery.)

Don't Say

• '电池'是储能装置——直接连接电源的设备供电不叫'电池'，那是'电源'或'适配器' (电池 is an energy storage device — power from devices directly connected to outlets is not 电池; that's 电源 or 适配器)

Origin & History

Compound of 电 (electricity) + 池 (pond/reservoir), metaphorically a reservoir of electricity.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal