electric
/ɪˈlektrɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈlektrɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈlek-trik ē-/ (ame, mw) · /ɪˈlek.trɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈlek.trɪk/ (ame, ipa)
electric — 形容詞
- electricpositive
- more electriccomparative
- most electricsuperlative
1. describes a machine, tool, or vehicle that runs on electricity from a wall outle
電動的
以電力驅動的（器具、車輛等）
describes a machine, tool, or vehicle that runs on electricity from a wall outlet or a battery pack, rather than on petrol, gas, fuel, or physical effort
Sade bought an electric kettle because she wanted hot water faster than using a stove.
Sade 買了一台電熱水壺，因為她不想用瓦斯爐等熱水。
collocation: electric + kitchen appliance (kettle, oven, mixer)
The hospital replaced all its old diesel vans with electric ones this year.
那家醫院今年把所有老舊的柴油貨車都換成了電動車。
collocation: electric vehicle / electric van
Andrés plugged the electric drill into the wall and began fixing the shelf.
Andrés 把電鑽插上電源，開始修理書架。
The new electric oven heats up in just three minutes.
那台新電烤箱只要三分鐘就能預熱好。
- battery-powered
specifies the energy source as batteries rather than a wall plug, e.g. a battery-powered toy
- mains-powered
British English term for devices that plug into the main electricity supply
- manual
operated by hand rather than by electricity
- petrol-powered
runs on petrol fuel instead of electricity
文法句型
electric + noun (device, tool, vehicle)
be + electric
用法筆記
Use 'electric' (not 'electrical') for devices and machines that get their power from electricity. 'Electrical' refers to the broader field or system.
常見錯誤
2. describes things connected to the production, flow, or use of electrical energy
電力的
與電力、電流有關的（非器具本身）
describes things connected to the production, flow, or use of electrical energy as a physical force — for example, the current that flows through wires, the shock you feel from a socket, or the power that lights a room
Jiwoo watched as electric charges gathered on the balloon she rubbed against her sleeve.
Jiwoo 用袖子摩擦氣球時，看到氣球表面聚集了電荷。
collocation: electric charge
An electric shock from a damaged socket can be very dangerous.
從破損插座觸電可能非常危險。
collocation: electric shock
The electric current flowing through these wires must be measured before any work begins.
在開始任何工作之前，必須先測量流經這些電線的電流。
Hao checked the electric meter outside his apartment every month to track their usage.
Hao 每個月都會查看公寓外面的電表，記錄用電量。
- electrical
broader term — refers to anything connected with electricity as a field, not just the energy itself; electrical wiring, electrical equipment
文法句型
electric + noun (current, shock, field, charge, power)
be + electric
用法筆記
When referring to the field of study or industry, use 'electrical' instead: 'electrical engineering', 'electrical equipment'. Use 'electric' only when describing the physical force or energy itself.
常見錯誤
3. so full of energy, emotion, and excitement that a place, event, or moment become
刺激的
形容場面氣氛極度興奮、充滿活力
so full of energy, emotion, and excitement that a place, event, or moment becomes extremely lively and absorbing — like a concert where the crowd is completely caught up in the music, or a room where the tension is almost physically felt
The atmosphere in the stadium was electric after the home team scored the winning goal.
主隊踢進致勝球後，整個球場的氣氛熱到最高點。
collocation: electric atmosphere
An electric silence fell over the hall as the singer walked onto the stage.
當歌手走上舞台的那一刻，全場陷入一片令人屏息的寂靜。
collocation: electric silence
Élise said the final scene of the play was so electric that no one coughed or moved.
Élise 說那齣戲的最後一幕精彩到全場沒有人咳嗽或走動。
The dancers gave an electric performance that had the whole theatre cheering.
舞者們的表演充滿震撼力，讓整個劇院歡聲雷動。
- thrilling
very similar in meaning but more general — can describe a personal experience or an event; 'electric' always implies a shared, almost physical energy
- charged
emphasises tension or emotional intensity, often slightly negative; 'electric' is more positive and energetic
- electrifying
stronger and more dramatic than 'electric'; suggests a sudden jolt of excitement
文法句型
electric + abstract noun (atmosphere, performance, silence, energy)
be + electric
用法筆記
This sense is figurative, not literal — the air is not actually charged with electricity. Commonly describes public events (concerts, sports matches, political rallies) rather than personal feelings. For personal excitement use 'thrilled' or 'excited'.
常見錯誤
electric — 名詞
- electricsingular
- electricsplural
1. the network of wires, switches, fuses, and sockets that carries electrical power
電力系統
建築物或車輛內的配線與電器裝置
the network of wires, switches, fuses, and sockets that carries electrical power through a building, car, or other structure
The old house needs a full rewiring of the electric before anyone can move in.
那棟老房子需要全面重新配線，才能讓人搬進去住。
collocation: the electric (referring to the wiring system)
Vivek called an electrician after a burning smell came from the electric in his kitchen.
Vivek 聞到廚房電線有燒焦味，趕緊打電話叫水電師傅來。
Damage to the car's electric meant the windows would not roll down.
車子的電路壞了，所以車窗都搖不下來。
The whole building's electric was upgraded last year to handle more appliances.
整棟大樓的電力系統去年升級了，以因應更多的電器用量。
- wiring
more specific — refers only to the wires, not the whole system of switches and sockets
- electrical system
more formal and universal across dialects; works in both British and American English
文法句型
the electric
the + adjective + electric
用法筆記
Commonly used with a possessive or 'the' to refer to the physical wiring infrastructure. In American English, 'electrical system' or 'wiring' is preferred over 'the electric' for this sense.
常見錯誤
2. the supply of electrical power to a home or business, considered as a utility th
電力
住家或商家的電力供應
the supply of electrical power to a home or business, considered as a utility that can be turned on or off, paid for, or interrupted — for example, when a storm knocks out the power or when a bill is unpaid
Tamar forgot to pay the bill, so her electric was cut off for two days.
Tamar 忘了繳費，所以她的電被斷了兩天。
informal usage: 'the electric' meaning electricity supply
The electric went out during the typhoon, and the family had to use candles.
颱風期間停電了，那家人只好點蠟燭。
How much do you pay for the electric each month in your new apartment?
你新公寓每個月的電費大概多少錢？
The landlord said that electric and water are both included in the rent.
房東說房租已經包含水電費。
- electricity
the standard formal term for electrical power as an energy source
- power
more general — can also mean energy from other sources; common in both formal and informal registers
文法句型
the electric
pay the electric
electric + be cut off/out
用法筆記
Informal British usage — in American English or formal writing, use 'electricity' or 'power' instead. Often interchangeable with sense 1 in everyday speech, but sense 2 focuses on the energy supply, not the physical wiring.
常見錯誤
3. a car, scooter, bicycle, or other vehicle that runs on electricity stored in rec
電動車
以充電電池驅動的交通工具
a car, scooter, bicycle, or other vehicle that runs on electricity stored in rechargeable batteries rather than on petrol, diesel, or other fuel
Chiara drives an electric because she wants to reduce her fuel costs.
Chiara 開電動車是因為她想省油錢。
collocation: drive/own an electric (meaning an electric vehicle)
More people in Taipei are buying electrics now that charging stations are everywhere.
現在台北的充電站到處都是，買電動車的人越來越多了。
Caio rented an electric for his trip around the island last summer.
Caio 去年夏天租了一輛電動車環島。
The government offers a tax discount for anyone who buys an electric this year.
政府提供今年購買電動車的人稅務優惠。
- EV
abbreviation for 'electric vehicle'; very common in news and technical writing
- electric car
more specific and more common in everyday speech than the standalone 'electric'
- petrol car
a car that runs on petrol fuel
- diesel car
a car that runs on diesel fuel
文法句型
an electric
the + adj + electric
buy/drive/rent an electric
用法筆記
This is a relatively recent usage (short for 'electric car' or 'electric vehicle'), most common in discussions about transportation and environmental policy. In everyday speech, the full phrase 'electric car' is still more frequent than the standalone noun 'electric'.