电台
diàntái · HSK 3
broadcasting station
📻 电 (electric) + 台 (station/platform) = electric station = radio station
电 means electric/electricity and 台 means station, platform, or broadcasting unit. Together 电台 literally reads as electric-station, covering both the radio transmitter device and the broadcasting station itself.
电 — rain 雨 + lightning tail 电
Originally a pictograph of lightning streaking from a cloud, written 電 with the rain radical 雨 on top. The bottom 电 depicts the zigzag flash itself. The simplified form 电 drops 雨 and keeps just the lightning shape. Meaning extended from 'lightning' to 'electricity' in modern usage.
台 — mouth 口 + 厶 (private)
Originally depicted a raised platform or terrace, suggesting elevation and a place to stand. The character later extended to mean stage, podium, or station. In modern usage it also serves as the simplified form of 臺 (platform) and 颱 (typhoon), and names Taiwan (台灣).