‘插座’ (chā zuò) literally means ‘insert seat’ — ‘插’ (chā) means ‘to insert’ or ‘to plug in’, and ‘座’ (zuò) means ‘base’, ‘socket’, or ‘mounting point’. Together, they refer to the fixed electrical outlet installed in walls or power strips where you plug in appliances and devices. It is a common household and office term used across China and other Mandarin-speaking regions.

This word is neutral in register and widely understood in both formal and informal contexts. Unlike more technical terms like ‘电源插座’ (diànyuán chāzuò, ‘power socket’) or ‘墙壁插座’ (qiángbì chāzuò, ‘wall socket’), ‘插座’ alone is the standard, everyday term for any general-purpose electrical outlet. It’s frequently used when discussing home safety, appliance setup, or electrical repairs — for example, checking if a socket is working or installing childproof covers.