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March 24, 2026
出租车(出租車)chūzūchē(chu1zu1che1)
出租车 (chūzūchē) refers to a taxi, a vehicle hired for transportation, typically marked with a taxi sign. It is commonly used in urban areas where public transport may be less accessible, providing convenient travel for individuals or groups.
Frequency#1750DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
Taxis are an essential part of urban life in China, especially in large cities where public transport systems are robust. The taxi system is often seen as a symbol of modern convenience and accessibility in urban settings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a taxi '出' (chū) that '租' (zū) itself out to people in need of a ride. The character '车' (chē) resembles a vehicle on the road, making it easy to remember that it refers to a car. Picture a taxi driving out to pick you up!
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AI Study Notes for 出租车
Quick Contrast
计程车 (jìchéngchē) - use 出租车 for general reference to taxis, while 计程车 emphasizes the metered fare system.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a taxi '出' (chū) that '租' (zū) itself out to people in need of a ride. The character '车' (chē) resembles a vehicle on the road, making it easy to remember that it refers to a car. Picture a taxi driving out to pick you up!
Usage Notes
Be aware that '出租车' is generally used in informal contexts, while '出租' can also refer to rental services in other contexts. A common mistake is to confuse '出租车' with '租车' (rental car), which can lead to misunderstandings about the type of transportation.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, '出租车' connects to other basic vocabulary related to transportation and travel. Focus on pronunciation and recognizing the characters, as they frequently appear in daily conversations about getting around.
Cultural Note
Taxis are an essential part of urban life in China, especially in large cities where public transport systems are robust. The taxi system is often seen as a symbol of modern convenience and accessibility in urban settings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce '出租车' by mixing up the tones; for example, using 'chū zù che' instead of 'chū zū chē'. Additionally, some may mistakenly use '出租车' when they mean '租车', so it's important to clarify the context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 出租车
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Grammar Patterns of 出租车
出租车 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Rude taxi drivers clocked up a total of 239 offences in
Cultural Notes for 出租车
🏮Cultural insight
Taxis are an essential part of urban life in China, especially in large cities where public transport systems are robust. The taxi system is often seen as a symbol of modern convenience and accessibility in urban settings.
Frequently Asked Questions about 出租车
出租车 specifically means 'taxi', while 租车 refers to 'rental car', which you drive yourself.
You can simply raise your hand on the street, but it's helpful to know the local taxi app for easier hailing.
While some taxis accept cash, many now prefer mobile payments; always check with the driver.
