‘电灯’ literally means ‘electric lamp’ — combining 电 (diàn), meaning ‘electricity’, and 灯 (dēng), meaning ‘lamp’ or ‘light’. It refers to any light source powered by electricity, such as incandescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes, or LED fixtures. Unlike older lighting like oil lamps or candles, 电灯 is standard in modern homes, offices, and public spaces across China and other Chinese-speaking regions.

The term is neutral and widely used in everyday speech and writing. While newer technologies like LED lights are common, people still say 电灯 when referring to the general concept or fixture — for example, when flipping a switch or replacing a bulb. It’s rarely used metaphorically and almost never appears in compound words beyond basic combinations like 电灯泡 (diàn dēng pào, ‘light bulb’) or 电灯开关 (diàn dēng kāi guān, ‘light switch’).