Chinese · Work & Business
电话
diànhuà
Telephone
Beginnernoun
Definition
A device used to talk to people far away.
Example
请给我打电话。
Please give me a call.
Etymology
'电话' (diànhuà) translates to 'electric speech', derived from '电' (diàn) for 'electricity' and '话' (huà) meaning 'speech' or 'talk'. This term developed in the early 20th century with the introduction of telephonic communication.
How & Where It’s Used
'电话' is used in both formal and informal contexts, applicable to discussions about communication technology. It is universally recognized across Mandarin-speaking regions.