电线

• Pinyin: diàn xiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 电 = 雨 + 申 (electricity); 线 = 糸 + 戋 (thread, wire, line)

Meaning

Electric wire; electrical cable. Insulated conductors used to carry electrical current in circuits and wiring systems.

The basic unit of electrical wiring in buildings, devices, and infrastructure. 电线 typically refers to low-voltage wiring, while 电缆 (cable) implies thicker, multi-core industrial cables. Proper handling of 电线 is a key topic in electrical safety education.

Examples

1. 施工队在铺设新的室内电线之前，必须先关闭总电源开关，以确保操作人员的人身安全。 Before installing new indoor wiring, the construction crew must first shut off the main power switch to ensure workers’ safety.
2. 老旧楼房内的电线绝缘层年久老化，极易引发短路和火灾，亟需进行全面的线路更新改造。 In older buildings, the insulation on electrical wires deteriorates over time, making short circuits and fires very likely; a comprehensive wiring overhaul is urgently needed.
3. 工人发现墙体内埋设的一束电线已严重受损，立即停工上报，等待专业电工进行安全评估。 Workers discovered a bundle of wiring inside the wall had been severely damaged, immediately stopped work, and reported it, waiting for a qualified electrician to conduct a safety assessment.

Usage Guide

Context: construction, electrical safety, home renovation, engineering

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 住宅装修时，建议聘请持证电工负责全屋电线的规划与铺设，以确保线路符合国家安全标准，杜绝潜在的用电安全隐患。(When renovating a home, it is advisable to hire a licensed electrician to plan and lay all the electrical wiring throughout the house, ensuring the circuits meet national safety standards and eliminating potential electrical hazards.)
• 发现裸露或破损的电线时，应立即切断相关回路的电源，并以绝缘胶带进行临时处理，随后尽快联系专业人员修复。(Upon discovering exposed or damaged wires, immediately cut the power to the relevant circuit and apply insulating tape as a temporary measure, then contact a professional for repairs as soon as possible.)

Don't Say

• 电线线路 — slightly redundant in most contexts; 线路 (circuit/wiring system) is the broader term; use 电线 for the physical wire and 线路 for the circuit system

Origin & History

电 (electricity) + 线 (thread, wire, line) — a wire conducting electricity

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal