电器

• Pinyin: diàn qì
• Hanzi breakdown: 电 = electricity; 器 = four 口 (mouths/openings) + 犬 (dog) — originally meant a vessel or container, now means device or instrument

Meaning

Electrical appliance; electronic device. General term for household or office devices that run on electricity.

Covers a wide range of products from refrigerators and washing machines to smaller items like rice cookers and fans. 家用电器 (household appliances) or simply 家电 is commonly used in retail contexts. Major appliance stores in China include 国美 and 苏宁, which specialize in 电器.

Examples

1. 搬新家的时候，我们把旧电器都换成了节能型号。 When we moved to the new home, we replaced all the old appliances with energy-efficient models.
2. 这家商场的电器区正在搞促销，买空调送电饭煲。 The appliance section of this mall is having a sale — buy an air conditioner, get a rice cooker free.
3. 不用的电器最好拔掉插头，既省电又安全。 It's best to unplug appliances when not in use; it saves electricity and is safer.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, household, everyday

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 家里的电器坏了可以找售后维修。(If household appliances break, you can contact after-sales service for repairs.)
• 老式电器耗电量太大，换新的能省不少钱。(Old appliances consume too much electricity; replacing them can save a lot of money.)

Don't Say

• 把电子产品笼统地叫电器 (Don't call all electronics 电器 — phones and computers are typically 电子产品, while 电器 usually refers to appliances)

Origin & History

Compound of 电 (electricity) + 器 (utensil, device). A practical term coined as electrical appliances became common in Chinese households.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal