The basic unit of electric current is the ampere, often shortened to "amp" and symbolized by the letter A.

Here's a breakdown:

* Electric current is the flow of electric charge.

* One ampere represents the flow of one coulomb of electric charge per second.

* Coulomb is the unit of electric charge.

So, if you have a current of 1 ampere, it means that 1 coulomb of charge is passing a given point in a circuit every second.