开关

No base JSON record found for this token.

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"开关" (kāiguān) primarily refers to a switch used to turn electrical devices on or off. It is a compound of "" (open, turn on) and "" (close, turn off), reflecting its function.

Common Contexts

You will often hear "开关" in daily life when talking about lights, machines, or any electrical appliances. It can refer to the physical switch itself or the action of switching on/off.

Collocations and Patterns

  • "开关" (turn on/off the light): very common in household contexts.
  • "开关按钮" (switch button): refers to the button used to operate the switch.
  • "开关" (the switch is broken): a frequent phrase when something electrical stops working.

Usage Notes

"开关" is a noun but can be part of verb phrases like "打开开关" (turn on the switch) or "关闭开关" (turn off the switch). It is not used metaphorically in casual speech, mostly limited to physical switches.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse "开关" with "开关" which means to turn a machine on or off. "开关" alone refers to the switch device or the act of switching, not the machine itself.

Example Sentences

Please turn on the light switch.

The switch of this machine is broken and cannot be used.

He is used to turning off all the switches before going to bed.