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March 24, 2026
自行车(自行車)zìxíngchē(zi4xing2che1)
自行车 (zì xíng chē) refers to a bicycle, a two-wheeled vehicle that is powered by pedaling. It is commonly used for transportation, exercise, and leisure activities, especially in urban areas where cycling is popular for short distances.
Frequency#3123DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
Bicycles are an integral part of daily life in many Chinese cities, often seen as a practical means of transportation. They symbolize a more sustainable lifestyle and are associated with the 'bicycle boom' during the late 20th century in China.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person '自' (self) riding a '行' (to walk) '车' (vehicle) to emphasize that they are using their own power to move. Visualize a bicycle with two wheels and the rider pedaling effortlessly, reinforcing the idea of self-propelled movement.
Meanings of 自行车
zìxíngchē(zi4xing2che1)
1bicycle
2bike
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About 自行车
自行车Simplified
自行車Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3123Frequency Rank
辆Measure Word
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 自行车
Podcast: 自行车
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AI Study Notes for 自行车
Quick Contrast
电动车 (electric bike) vs 自行车: Use 自行车 when referring specifically to a non-electric bicycle, while 电动车 indicates an electric-powered bicycle.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person '自' (self) riding a '行' (to walk) '车' (vehicle) to emphasize that they are using their own power to move. Visualize a bicycle with two wheels and the rider pedaling effortlessly, reinforcing the idea of self-propelled movement.
Usage Notes
Be aware of the correct measure word for bicycles, which is 辆 (liàng). In informal contexts, you might hear people simply refer to it as a 'bike,' but in formal settings, it's better to use the full term 自行车.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 3 vocabulary word, 自行车 connects with other transportation-related terms like 车 (vehicle) and 公共汽车 (bus). Focus on using it in sentences about travel and daily routines to strengthen your contextual understanding.
Cultural Note
Bicycles are an integral part of daily life in many Chinese cities, often seen as a practical means of transportation. They symbolize a more sustainable lifestyle and are associated with the 'bicycle boom' during the late 20th century in China.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to use the measure word when counting bicycles, saying '三自行车' instead of '三辆自行车' (sān liàng zì xíng chē). Always include the correct measure word for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 自行车
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Grammar Patterns of 自行车
自行车 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 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.
More people would be attracted to cycling if conditions were right.
Cultural Notes for 自行车
🏮Cultural insight
Bicycles are an integral part of daily life in many Chinese cities, often seen as a practical means of transportation. They symbolize a more sustainable lifestyle and are associated with the 'bicycle boom' during the late 20th century in China.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, bicycles are often seen as recreational rather than primary transportation, while in China, they are a common choice for commuting.
Frequently Asked Questions about 自行车
You would say '我骑自行车' (wǒ qí zì xíng chē).
The measure word for bicycles is 辆 (liàng).
Yes, 自行车 specifically refers to bicycles, while 'bike' can refer to different types of bikes, including motorbikes.
