In Mandarin, the word for electricity is “dian(4),” or 电. You combine it with another symbol to get the word for common appliances. Example: “Telephone” is “dian(4) hua(4)” which is literally “electric voice.” “Computer” is “dian(4) nao(3),” which is “electric brain.”
The word for “movie” is “dian(4) ying(3),” which is literally “electric shadow.” I’m in love with the phrase.
Comments
I was always fond of gei wo da dianhua-- give me a hit of the electric voice-- it sounds so much more addictive than "call me"
Posted by: plantnerd | January 20, 2009 1:37 PM