táidēng: 台灯 - Desk Lamp, Table Lamp

• Keywords: 台灯, táidēng, desk lamp, table lamp, Chinese for lamp, study lamp, Chinese vocabulary for furniture, HSK 2 vocabulary, learn Chinese, Chinese word for light
• Summary: Learn how to say “desk lamp” or “table lamp” in Chinese with our complete guide to 台灯 (táidēng). This essential HSK 2 vocabulary word is perfect for students, office workers, or anyone describing items in a room. Discover its simple character breakdown, its cultural link to the importance of education in China, and see 10 practical example sentences to master its usage in everyday conversation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): táidēng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: A lamp designed to be used on a table or desk.
• In a Nutshell: 台灯 (táidēng) is a very literal and straightforward word. It combines the characters for “platform/desk” and “lamp” to mean exactly what it sounds like: a lamp that sits on a desk or table. It's a high-frequency, practical noun for describing common objects in a home, school, or office setting.

• 台 (tái): This character can mean “platform,” “stage,” “stand,” or in this context, “desk” or “table.” Think of it as any flat, raised surface.
• 灯 (dēng): This character means “lamp” or “light.” The radical on the left is `火 (huǒ)`, which means “fire,” indicating the character's connection to light and heat.
• When combined, 台灯 (táidēng) literally translates to “platform/desk lamp,” making it a very logical and easy-to-remember compound word.

While a desk lamp is a simple object, the 台灯 (táidēng) carries a significant cultural weight in China, closely tied to the value of education and diligence. For many Chinese families, the 台灯 is a symbol of a child's academic efforts. It represents the “midnight oil” burned while studying for crucial exams, especially the national college entrance exam, the gaokao (高考). A picture of a student working hard under the focused beam of a desk lamp is a powerful image of aspiration and filial piety—fulfilling parents' hopes through academic achievement. In contrast to Western culture, where a desk lamp might be seen primarily as a functional utility or a piece of interior design, in China, it's often an emblem of the long, arduous, but hopeful journey of a scholar. It's less about decoration and more about dedication.

台灯 (táidēng) is used in everyday conversation just like “desk lamp” is in English. It's a neutral term suitable for any context, from casual chats to shopping for furniture. Common collocations include:

• 开台灯 (kāi táidēng): to turn on the desk lamp
• 关台灯 (guān táidēng): to turn off the desk lamp
• 一盏台灯 (yì zhǎn táidēng): a desk lamp (using the proper measure word `盏`)

It's frequently used when describing a room, discussing study habits, or buying home goods.

• Example 1:
  • 天黑了，请把台灯打开。
  • Pinyin: Tiān hēi le, qǐng bǎ táidēng dǎkāi.
  • English: It's dark now, please turn on the desk lamp.
  • Analysis: This is a common, polite request. `打开 (dǎkāi)` is a synonym for `开 (kāi)` meaning “to turn on” or “to open.”
• Example 2:
  • 我需要买一个新的台灯，因为这个太暗了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào mǎi yí ge xīn de táidēng, yīnwèi zhège tài àn le.
  • English: I need to buy a new desk lamp because this one is too dim.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of a sentence you'd use while shopping or discussing household needs.
• Example 3:
  • 他的书桌上有一盏很漂亮的台灯。
  • Pinyin: Tā de shūzhuō shàng yǒu yì zhǎn hěn piàoliang de táidēng.
  • English: There is a very beautiful desk lamp on his desk.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the correct measure word for lamps, `盏 (zhǎn)`. While `个 (ge)` is often acceptable in spoken Chinese, `盏` is more precise.
• Example 4:
  • 为了保护眼睛，你应该在光线好的地方用台灯看书。
  • Pinyin: Wèile bǎohù yǎnjing, nǐ yīnggāi zài guāngxiàn hǎo de dìfang yòng táidēng kàn shū.
  • English: To protect your eyes, you should use a desk lamp to read in a well-lit place.
  • Analysis: This shows the functional purpose of a 台灯 and is a common piece of advice from parents or teachers.
• Example 5:
  • 我的台灯坏了，晚上没法学习了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de táidēng huài le, wǎnshang méi fǎ xuéxí le.
  • English: My desk lamp is broken, so I can't study tonight.
  • Analysis: `坏了 (huài le)` is a simple and essential phrase meaning “is broken.”
• Example 6:
  • 这盏台灯可以调节亮度吗？
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǎn táidēng kěyǐ tiáojié liàngdù ma?
  • English: Can this desk lamp's brightness be adjusted?
  • Analysis: A very practical question to ask a salesperson. `调节 (tiáojié)` means “to adjust.”
• Example 7:
  • 睡觉前，别忘了关台灯。
  • Pinyin: Shuìjiào qián, bié wàng le guān táidēng.
  • English: Before you go to sleep, don't forget to turn off the desk lamp.
  • Analysis: `别忘了 (bié wàng le)` is a useful phrase for giving reminders.
• Example 8:
  • 这个台灯的设计很现代。
  • Pinyin: Zhège táidēng de shèjì hěn xiàndài.
  • English: The design of this desk lamp is very modern.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how to talk about the aesthetics or style of the object.
• Example 9:
  • 我把台灯放在了床头柜上。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bǎ táidēng fàng zài le chuángtóuguì shàng.
  • English: I put the table lamp on the nightstand.
  • Analysis: This shows that 台灯 can refer to a “table lamp” on a nightstand, not just a desk lamp for studying.
• Example 10:
  • 如果没有台灯，我在这个房间里就看不清东西了。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ méiyǒu táidēng, wǒ zài zhège fángjiān lǐ jiù kàn bu qīng dōngxi le.
  • English: If there were no desk lamp, I wouldn't be able to see things clearly in this room.
  • Analysis: A good example of a conditional sentence using `如果…就… (rúguǒ…jiù…)`.

• Specificity is Key: The most common mistake is using the general word `灯 (dēng)` when you specifically mean a desk lamp. `灯 (dēng)` can be any light (ceiling light, flashlight, etc.). If it's on a desk or table, you must use 台灯 (táidēng) to be clear.
  • Incorrect: `我的桌子上有一个灯。(Wǒ de zhuōzi shàng yǒu yí ge dēng.)` - This is grammatically okay but vague.
  • Correct: `我的桌子上有一盏台灯。(Wǒ de zhuōzi shàng yǒu yì zhǎn táidēng.)` - This is specific and natural.
• The Right Measure Word: The most appropriate measure word for lamps is `盏 (zhǎn)`. While many native speakers use the all-purpose `个 (ge)` in casual conversation (`一个台灯`), using `一盏台灯` sounds more educated and is standard in written Chinese. For a learner, mastering `盏` is a great way to make your Chinese sound more authentic.

• 灯 (dēng) - The general term for “lamp” or “light.” 台灯 is a type of 灯.
• 电灯 (diàndēng) - Electric light/lamp. A broader term that includes 台灯.
• 落地灯 (luòdìdēng) - Floor lamp (literally “floor-landing lamp”).
• 吊灯 (diàodēng) - Chandelier or pendant light (literally “hanging lamp”).
• 开灯 (kāi dēng) - To turn on a light.
• 关灯 (guān dēng) - To turn off a light.
• 书桌 (shūzhuō) - Desk; the place where a 台灯 is most commonly found.
• 学习 (xuéxí) - To study; the activity most associated with using a 台灯.
• 盏 (zhǎn) - The correct and formal measure word for lamps.
• 亮度 (liàngdù) - Brightness; a quality of the light from a 台灯.