灯泡

• Pinyin: dēng pào
• Hanzi breakdown: 灯 = 火 + 丁 (lamp/light); 泡 = 氵 + 包 (bubble/blister)

Meaning

Light bulb; electric bulb. Also colloquially: a 'third wheel' — an unwanted third person intruding on a couple.

In everyday speech, 灯泡 serves double duty: its literal meaning (light bulb) and a widely used slang meaning (third wheel/gooseberry). The slang usage is highly prevalent among younger generations.

Examples

1. 客厅的灯泡坏了，需要尽快更换一只新的。 The light bulb in the living room burned out and needs to be replaced as soon as possible.
2. 他们约会时我却在旁边，完全成了多余的灯泡。 When they were on a date and I was standing there, I was totally the unnecessary third wheel.
3. 这种节能灯泡的使用寿命比传统白炽灯泡长得多。 These energy-saving bulbs last much longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, slang, relationships, home

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你们去约会吧，我不想当灯泡。(You two go on your date — I don't want to be the third wheel.)
• 请帮我换一个新灯泡，旧的已经不亮了。(Please help me replace the light bulb — the old one no longer works.)

Don't Say

• 这灯泡非常灯泡 — nonsensical; use 这灯泡非常明亮 (this bulb is very bright) or 这灯泡很省电 (this bulb is energy-efficient)

Origin & History

灯 (lamp) + 泡 (bubble/bulb)

Cultural Context

Generation: 灯泡 (third wheel slang) is especially common among younger generations

Social background: Universal