In this episode of Chinese video lessons, we are going to learn a new word 电灯泡. Literally, 电灯泡 means “Light bulb”, but in Chinese, it has another meaning: the third wheel.
Imagine a couple of “love birds” going on a date. They certainly want a quiet, dark, intimate setting where there is no “light bulb” overhead. The bulb is just too bright for the couple to maintain their romantic atmosphere.
Dialogue 1
jīntiān wǎnshɑnɡ hé wǒmen yìqǐ qù kàndiànyǐnɡ bɑ！ A: 今天晚上和我们一起去看电影吧！ Come and watch a movie with us! |
bú qù, wǒ bùxiǎnɡ dānɡ diàndēnɡpào！ B: 不去，我不想当电灯泡！ No. I don’t want to be a third wheel. |
Dialogue 2
Mandy, wǒ yào hé nǐ bàbɑ qù lǚyóu. A: Mandy, 我要和你爸爸去旅游。 I will be traveling with your dad. |
wǒ yě xiǎnɡ qù！ B: 我也想去！ I want to go with you！ |
bié dānɡ diàndēnɡpào. A: 别当电灯泡。 Don’t be a third wheel! |