While a power outage is a universal inconvenience, the context surrounding 停电 (tíngdiàn) in China can differ from the typical Western experience. In many Western countries like the United States, power outages are almost always unexpected events caused by severe weather or equipment failure, and they are treated as minor emergencies. In China, especially during its period of rapid development, 计划停电 (jìhuà tíngdiàn), or “planned power outages,” were much more common and socially accepted. These scheduled blackouts were necessary for infrastructure upgrades and to manage a power grid that was struggling to keep up with explosive demand. As a result, many Chinese people, particularly those from older generations or from less-developed areas, grew up more accustomed to the idea of a power outage. It wasn't always a crisis, but often a scheduled part of life. This fostered a culture of preparedness—every household had candles, flashlights, and now, a fully charged 充电宝 (chōngdiànbǎo), or power bank, is considered an essential item. Today, in major cities like Shanghai and Beijing, the power grid is extremely stable and unscheduled outages are rare. However, the concept of a planned outage for maintenance still exists, and you will see official notices posted in apartment buildings in advance. This contrasts with the Western assumption that electricity should be available 24/7 without exception, highlighting a different societal relationship with public utilities and infrastructure development.
停电 (tíngdiàn) is a high-frequency, practical term used in a variety of everyday situations.
The term is neutral in connotation; the frustration or relief comes from the surrounding context, not the word itself.