[ti:Electric, Electrical, or Electronic?] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:01.80]This week we answer a question from Angus in China. [00:06.88]"I'm Angus, a big fan of VOA English from China. [00:12.72]Could you please tell me the difference among electric, electrical and electronic?" – Angus, China [00:20.64]Dear Angus, Thanks for writing to us. [00:24.12]These days, many people are using electronic ways to communicate with others, so this is a good question. [00:33.48]Let us start with the word "electric," which comes from the noun electricity. [00:40.36]"Electric" is an adjective; that is, a word used to describe a noun. [00:47.28]Its simple meaning is "operated by electricity." [00:51.72]Here are two examples. [00:54.72]There is an electric fence around the cows in that field. [00:59.60]Electric lights allow us to read at night. [01:03.92]You can also use "electric" to describe something exciting or full of energy, like a feeling or a performance. [01:14.28]The dancers gave an electric performance. [01:19.12]Now, let's turn to the word "electrical." [01:22.76]"Electrical" is also an adjective, but we mostly use it to mean "related to electricity." [01:32.52]For example, you might say: [01:35.16]She studies electrical engineering. [01:39.32]Here, there is no electricity powering the noun "engineering," but "electrical engineering" is a field related to electricity. [01:51.08]The word "electrical" also can be used in a general sense: [01:56.72]His kitchen is full of electrical appliances. [02:01.52]However, you cannot use the word "electrical" to describe a specific noun, like a car: [02:10.16]That is a new Tesla electric car. [02:13.68]Finally, compare what we have just described to the word, "electronic." [02:20.68]"Electronic" is an adjective. [02:23.96]It describes something that operates through the use of many small electrical parts, such as microchips. [02:33.16]In "electrical" devices, there is movement of a current, [02:37.48]while "electronic" devices involve the movement of subatomic particles called electrons. [02:46.80]Here is how one might use the word in a sentence: [02:50.76]In China, almost everyone makes electronic payments when they go shopping. [02:57.60]You may have an electric toothbrush now, but when you get an electronic toothbrush, [03:03.72]it might tell you exactly when to stop using it. [03:08.32]And that's Ask a Teacher! [03:10.68]I'm Jill Robbins. 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM