Electricity and communication with 電
The kanji 電 originally meant lightning. From that flash in the sky, it became the standard kanji for electricity, and then for the many devices, signals, and systems powered by it.
Etymology
The kanji is a phono-semantic compound made from 雨 (rain) and 申 as the sound-giving element, with the combined sense of lightning.
Communication
電話 (Telephone)
電話 means a telephone or a phone call.
It combines 電 (electric) with 話 (talk) to show talk carried by electricity.
Takamiya suspects Meimi is the magical thief Saint Tail. When Meimi is asked to model a wedding dress for a design contest where Saint Tail is going to appear, Takamiya decides to keep a close eye on her at the event. As Takamiya looks around the dressing room, Meimi asks what she’s doing.
- 高宮:
- 「電話はどこかなと思って」
- “I was just wondering where the phone is.”
- 「アスカと連絡をとることになってるの」
- “I'm supposed to get in touch with Asuka.”
- スタッフ:
- 「ちょっと…あなた！」
- “Hey… you!”
Power
電池 (Battery)
電池 means a battery or cell that stores electrical energy.
It combines 電 (electricity) with 池 (stored pool) to show a reservoir of electric charge.
At a nighttime festival, Sacchan, Yui, and Kotoha receive glowing star necklaces to wear. After some time, Sacchan’s mother arrives to pick them up.
- 結衣:
- 「あ 私のピカピカもう電池切れちゃった」
- “Ah, my sparkler's battery has already run out.”
- 母さん:
- 「あらま 光ってる方が安全でいいのに」
- “Oh dear, it's safer and better when it's lit up.”
懐中電灯 (Flashlight)
懐中電灯 means a flashlight or electric torch. The word originally suggests a lamp small enough to carry close on the person.
It combines 懐中 (on one's person) with 電灯 (electric lamp) to show a portable lamp kept close at hand.
Ayumi leaves the bag with her new Masked Yaiba doll outside while she’s in the restroom. When she returns, she finds the bag waiting for her, but the doll is gone. Ran suggests someone may have taken her bag by mistake. Genta decides to see what’s in the bag Ayumi brought back, dumping its contents onto the ground.
- 元太:
- 「えーっと… 地図帳に双眼鏡に…」
- “Um... an atlas, binoculars...”
- 「懐中電灯…」
- “...a flashlight...”
Transport
電車 (Train)
電車 means an electric train.
It combines 電 (electric) with 車 (vehicle) to show a vehicle powered by electricity.
Yui and her friends get permission to ride the train to continue their search for the legendary giant robot. Tickets are listed as 70 yen for children.
- さっちゃん:
- 「動物園はタダなのに」
- “Even though the zoo is free...”
- 結衣:
- 「電車は動物より強い」
- “Trains are stronger than animals.”
- 琴葉:
- 「ティラノサウルスより強い」
- “Stronger than a Tyrannosaurus.”