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電波 (でんぱ, denpa) Japanese meaning: radio wave | Kotomora
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か
ない
。
There's no signal inside this tunnel.
Observe distant stars with a radio telescope.
Usage patterns 〈 場所ばしょ〉 〉 で 電波でんぱ が 入はい る to get signal/reception at 〈place〉
You can't get reception inside this tunnel.
電波でんぱ な 〈 人ひと〉 〉 a person who says bizarre or delusional things
She's said to be a bit of a weird, out-there person.
電波でんぱ が 弱よわ い ／ 悪わる い the signal/reception is weak or bad
The reception is bad in the mountains, so I can't make a call.
電波でんぱ を 受信じゅしん する to receive radio waves/signals
This antenna can receive even weak radio signals.
Related words 電磁波 is the broader physics term for all electromagnetic radiation, while 電波 specifically refers to the radio-frequency waves used in broadcasting and communication.
電波系 is a noun for the subculture or personality type associated with saying strange, delusional things, while 電波 is the broader slang term for such talk itself.
無線 refers to wireless communication technology or devices, whereas 電波 is the actual signal or wave that carries that communication.
Don't confuse with 伝播 (same pronunciation でんぱ) means 'spread' or 'propagation' of ideas, disease, etc., while 電波 means a radio wave or signal.
電波 refers to the actual radio waves used for transmission, while 無線 refers to the technology or method of communicating without wires.
音波 is a mechanical wave that travels through air or water, whereas 電波 refers to electromagnetic (radio) waves that can travel through a vacuum.
Word family· 31 radio waves sent and received by people's minds
radio tower; transmission tower
broadcast fee; TV airtime cost
radio star
Written forms 電でん 波ぱ Usage 100%
Standard kanji spelling for both the technical and slang senses.
デンパ Usage <1%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling sometimes used in slang contexts to emphasize the 'crazy' or 'weird' nuance.
デムパ
kana-only spelling
Rare katakana variant; occasionally seen in very informal or stylized writing.
Etymology Composed of 電 (electricity) and 波 (wave). The slang sense is a metaphorical extension, likening bizarre speech to picking up strange radio signals.
