停电

You use 停电 when the electricity is unexpectedly cut off. It's a statement of fact. You can say it to inform others. Or to express surprise. Or to explain why something isn't working. For example, your phone charger isn't charging. You can say, 'It must be 停电.' It’s a common phrase in daily life. You'll hear it a lot. Especially if you live somewhere with older power grids. Or during typhoon season. It's a very practical phrase. It describes a very real situation. You can use it in sentences like: 'The internet is down because of the 停电.' Or, 'Did the 停电 last long?' It's versatile. It covers many scenarios. From a brief flicker to a long blackout. Just remember, it's about the *lack* of power.

• Texting a friend: 'So annoying! My phone is almost dead and there's a 停电.'
• Talking to a neighbor: 'Did you hear? The whole street is experiencing 停电.'
• On a Zoom call: 'Sorry, my video froze. We have a 停电 here.'
• Instagram caption: 'Weekend vibes interrupted by a surprise 停电. Guess it's time for board games! #blackout #unexpected'
• Ordering food: 'Can I check if the restaurant has power? I don't want to order if there's a 停电.'

Use 停电 when the power grid fails. This happens during storms. Or maintenance work. Or sometimes, just randomly. It's for when the electricity supply is interrupted. You can use it to describe your current situation. 'We have 停电 right now.' You can also use it to ask about a past event. 'How long was the 停电 yesterday?' It's perfect for explaining why devices aren't working. Like your lights, TV, or Wi-Fi. It’s the standard term. Everyone understands it. It's not just for your home. It can affect a whole neighborhood. Or even a city. Think of it as the official announcement of darkness.

Don't use 停电 for a tripped circuit breaker at home. That's usually a smaller, localized issue. You wouldn't say 'My bathroom light switch caused a 停电.' You'd just say the breaker tripped. Also, avoid it for planned power interruptions. Like scheduled maintenance. Although people might still use it casually. It's not for when your device's battery dies. That's 没电 (méidiàn). Or your phone is dead. 停电 specifically refers to the *public* electricity supply failing. So, if your car battery is dead, that's not 停电. It’s a car problem, not a grid problem. Keep it simple: no power from the wall socket? Then it's 停电.

• ✗ My phone has no electricity. → ✓ My phone has no battery.

This is a classic! 停电 is about the grid. Not your personal device's power level. Your phone running out of juice is 没电 (méidiàn).

• ✗ The computer stopped. → ✓ The computer stopped because of the power outage.

停电 explains *why* the computer stopped. You need to link the cause and effect. Just saying 'the computer stopped' is too vague.

• ✗ We have a 'stop-electricity'. → ✓ We have a power outage.

Direct translation can be awkward. 停电 is a set phrase. Don't break it apart.

• ✗ The light is stopped. → ✓ The light is off.

停电 is for the main electricity. Not individual lights. Unless the whole building is dark, of course.

• 没电 (méidiàn): Means 'no electricity' or 'out of battery'. This is used for devices like phones or laptops. 'My phone is 没电.'
• 断电 (duàndiàn): Also means 'power cut off'. It can sometimes imply a more sudden or complete disconnection. It's very similar to 停电. Often interchangeable. Think of it as a slightly more abrupt stop.
• 跳闸 (tiàozhá): Means 'the circuit breaker tripped'. This is a specific cause of a localized power loss. Usually within a building or a room. Not a general power outage.
• 来电 (láidiàn): The opposite! It means 'power is back on'. 'Great, 来电!'

• 大停电 (dà tíngdiàn): 'Big power outage'. Used for widespread blackouts affecting a large area. Like a whole city. It emphasizes the scale.
• 突然停电 (tūrán tíngdiàn): 'Sudden power outage'. Highlights the unexpected nature of the event. Perfect for when the lights go out without warning.
• 计划停电 (jìhuà tíngdiàn): 'Scheduled power outage'. This is for planned maintenance. Less common in casual chat, more for official notices.
• 停电了 (tíngdiàn le): 'The power went out'. The particle 了 (le) indicates a change of state. Very common in spoken Chinese.

• What's the quickest way to say 'power outage' in Chinese?

Use 停电 (tíngdiàn). It's direct and widely understood.

• Can 停电 be used for my phone battery dying?

No, for devices, use 没电 (méidiàn). 停电 is for the main electricity supply.

• Is 停电 a formal or informal word?

It's neutral. You can use it in most situations, from texting friends to talking to utility companies.

• What happens if I say 'my phone is 停电'?

People will be confused. They'll think your house has no power, not that your phone is dead. It's a common beginner mistake!

• Does 停电 imply blame?

Not usually. It's a factual statement about the electricity supply. Unless context suggests otherwise. Like 'The construction work caused a 停电.'