灯泡

dēng pào

CL 个 gè 只 zhǐ 盏 zhǎn

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Noun Uncommon

Definitions

1. light bulb
2. see also 電燈泡|电灯泡[diàn dēng pào]
3. third-wheel or unwanted third party spoiling a couple's date (slang)

Word relationships

Register variants

1 item

• 电灯泡 diàn dēng pào 电灯泡 diàn dēng pào light bulb 正式名称或术语中更常用“电灯泡”，口语中简称“灯泡”: light bulb

Related words

2 items

• 电灯泡 diàn dēng pào 电灯泡 diàn dēng pào light bulb When referring to the third-wheel sense, 电灯泡 is the full form, but 灯泡 is often used colloquially: light bulb
• 照明 zhào míng 照明 zhào míng lighting 照明 refers to illumination or lighting in general, related to the function of a 灯泡: lighting

Usage notes

Cultural notes

Calling someone a 灯泡 implies they are ruining a romantic atmosphere; it's culturally understood as an unwelcome presence.

Formality

In the slang meaning 'third wheel', 灯泡 is informal and often used jokingly among friends.

Example Sentences

1 shown

这种 灯泡 能节能。

This kind of light bulb can save energy.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 灯泡

• 电灯泡 电灯泡 diàn dēng pào: light bulb

Child Words of 灯泡

• 泡 泡 pāo: puffed; swollen; spongy
• 泡 泡 pào: bubble; foam
• 灯 灯 dēng: lamp