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司机 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
司机sījīchauffeurHSK 3, n, rank #1725, Medium
司机sījīdriverHSK 3, n, rank #1725, Medium
司机sījī>个[gè]HSK 3, n, rank #1725, Medium
sījī(si1ji1) T1
  1. 1chauffeur
  2. 2driver
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March 24, 2026
司机(司機)sījī(si1ji1)

The term '司机' (sī jī) refers to a driver or chauffeur, someone who operates a vehicle for transporting passengers or goods. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, such as when referring to taxi drivers, bus drivers, or any professional driver. The nuance can imply a professional role in public transportation or private driving.

Frequency#1725DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the role of a '司机' is often respected, especially for those who work in professional transportation services like taxis and buses. This respect is reflected in how families often rely on trusted drivers for their daily commutes, showcasing the importance of this profession in urban life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a '司' (sī) who has the authority (司 means 'to manage') over a '机' (jī), which resembles a vehicle or machine. Picture this manager driving around, ensuring everything runs smoothly. This connection between managing a vehicle and the pronunciation will help you remember '司机' as the one in charge of the vehicle.

Meanings of 司机

sījī(si1ji1)
1chauffeur
2driver
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 司机

司机Simplified
司機Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1725Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 司机

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Podcast: 司机

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AI Study Notes for 司机

Quick Contrast

驾驶员 (jiàshǐyuán) - use 司机 (sījī) when emphasizing a common driver role, while 驾驶员 (jiàshǐyuán) is more formal and technical.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a '司' (sī) who has the authority (司 means 'to manage') over a '机' (jī), which resembles a vehicle or machine. Picture this manager driving around, ensuring everything runs smoothly. This connection between managing a vehicle and the pronunciation will help you remember '司机' as the one in charge of the vehicle.

Usage Notes

'司机' is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is important not to confuse it with more casual terms for drivers. A common mistake is to use '司机' for non-professional contexts, like when referring to a friend who drives you somewhere. Remember that '司机' implies a professional driver, often in a commercial setting.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 3 word, '司机' connects with other transportation-related vocabulary, such as '车' (chē, car) and '开' (kāi, to drive). Students should focus on using '司机' in sentences about travel or transportation to reinforce their understanding and practical use of the term.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the role of a '司机' is often respected, especially for those who work in professional transportation services like taxis and buses. This respect is reflected in how families often rely on trusted drivers for their daily commutes, showcasing the importance of this profession in urban life.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use '司机' to refer to someone casually driving, which can sound awkward. For example, saying '我朋友是司机' (My friend is a driver) implies they are a professional driver, which might not be the case. Instead, use '我朋友开车' (My friend drives).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 司机

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Component Characters

司Sīto take charge of
HSK 35 strokes口
View full entry
机Jīmachine
HSK 16 strokes木
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Write 司机

司
机

Practice writing 司机 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 司机

司机 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 3 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

我们发现有些____对这一法规一无所知。

We have found some drivers clueless as to the law.

Example Sentences for 司机 (10)

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1
我们发现有些司机对这一法规一无所知。

wǒ mén fā xiàn yǒu xiē sī jī duì zhè yī fǎ guī yī wú suǒ zhī。

We have found some drivers clueless as to the law.
2
这支队伍需要一位他这样技术水平的司机。

zhè zhī duì wǔ xū yào yī wèi tā zhè yàng jì shù shuǐ píng de sī jī。

The team would have need of a driver of his worth.
3
在他的身后，愤怒的司机排成了长龙。

zài tā de shēn hòu， ， fèn nù de sī jī pái chéng le cháng。

Behind him was a long queue of angry motorists.
4
救援部门一直在日夜不停地工作，解救被困司机。

jiù yuán bù mén yī zhí zài rì yè bù tíng dì gōng zuò， ， jiě jiù bèi kùn sī。

Rescue services have been working round the clock to free stranded motorists.
5
卡车司机安然脱险，但有一位行人受了伤。

kǎ chē sī jī ān rán tuō xiǎn， ， dàn yǒu yī wèi háng rén shòu le。

The lorry driver escaped unhurt, but a pedestrian was injured.
6
司机是个大约30岁的身材苗条的年轻女子。

sī jī shì gè dà yuē30 30 suì de shēn cái miáo tiáo de nián qīng nǚ。

The driver was a trim young woman of perhaps thirty.
7
司机一头乌发、肤色黝黑，可能是个马耳他人。

sī jī yī tóu wū fā、 、 fū sè yǒu， hēi ， kě néng shì gè mǎ ěr。

The driver was very dark. Maltese, maybe.
8
他向另外那辆汽车的司机做了个粗野的手势。

tā xiàng lìng wài nà liàng qì chē de sī jī zuò le gè cū yě de shǒu shì。

He made a rude gesture at the driver of the other car.
9
那些司机必然会受到过失杀人的指控。

nà xiē sī jī bì rán huì shòu dào guò shī shā rén de zhǐ kòng。

Those drivers should face an automatic charge of manslaughter.
10
司机没能顺利拐弯，撞到了树上。

sī jī méi néng shùn lì guǎi wān， ， zhuàng dào le shù。

The driver failed to negotiate a bend and ran into a tree.

Cultural Notes for 司机

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the role of a '司机' is often respected, especially for those who work in professional transportation services like taxis and buses. This respect is reflected in how families often rely on trusted drivers for their daily commutes, showcasing the importance of this profession in urban life.

Frequently Asked Questions about 司机

'司机' specifically refers to a professional driver, while '开车的人' means 'the person who drives' and can be used for anyone driving, regardless of whether they are a professional.