電柱

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 電柱, read でんちゅう, is a pole that supports utility wires.
• Basic usage: It is used in descriptions of a street corner or a sign attached to a pole.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Pole and wire
  • 電柱 is the upright pole, while 電線 is the wire running between poles or along a similar route. They name different parts of a streetside structure.
• Distinguishing 街灯
  • 街灯 focuses on lighting a street, while 電柱 focuses on supporting wires. Even if a lamp is attached to a pole, the two words emphasize different functions.