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March 24, 2026
卡车(卡車)kǎchē(ka3che1)
卡车 refers to a type of large vehicle used for transporting goods. It is commonly used in logistics and transportation contexts, and you will often encounter it in discussions about trade, shipping, and travel. The term is informal, with '货车' (huòchē) being a more formal synonym.
Frequency#1732DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In China, the logistics sector is rapidly growing, and卡车 plays a vital role in e-commerce and supply chain management. Truck drivers are essential for moving goods across the vast distances of the country, often working long hours.
Memory Tip
Imagine a truck with a '卡' (kǎ) shaped cargo door that '车' (chē) carries all kinds of goods. The '卡' looks like a clamp, holding everything secure, emphasizing the truck's function in heavy transport.
Meanings of 卡车
kǎchē(ka3che1)
1truck
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 卡车
卡车Simplified
卡車Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1732Frequency Rank
辆Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 卡车
Podcast: 卡车
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AI Study Notes for 卡车
Quick Contrast
货车 (huòchē) refers specifically to a goods vehicle and is more formal, while 卡车 (kǎchē) is a more casual term for a truck.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a truck with a '卡' (kǎ) shaped cargo door that '车' (chē) carries all kinds of goods. The '卡' looks like a clamp, holding everything secure, emphasizing the truck's function in heavy transport.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 卡车 with other types of vehicles like 轿车 (jiàochē - sedan) or 公共汽车 (gōnggòng qìchē - bus). While 卡车 is informal, it is widely understood, especially in business contexts. Remember to use the correct measure word, 辆 (liàng), when counting trucks.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 卡车 connects with other transportation-related vocabulary such as 司机 (sījī - driver) and 运输 (yùnshū - transport). Focus on using it in sentences that involve logistics or travel to deepen your understanding.
Cultural Note
In China, the logistics sector is rapidly growing, and卡车 plays a vital role in e-commerce and supply chain management. Truck drivers are essential for moving goods across the vast distances of the country, often working long hours.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget the measure word when using 卡车. For example, saying '三卡车' instead of '三辆卡车' is incorrect; the correct form is '三辆卡车' (three trucks).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 卡车
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Grammar Patterns of 卡车
卡车 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
一辆南行的____爆胎并撞车了。
A lorry travelling south had a blow-out and crashed.
The lorry driver escaped unhurt, but a pedestrian was injured.
4
惊恐万分的通勤者们看见那辆卡车突然冲向高速公路另一侧，接着翻倒在地。
jīng kǒng wàn fēn de tōng qín zhě mén kàn jiàn nà liàng kǎ chē tū rán chōng xiàng gāo sù gōng lù lìng yī cè， ， jiē zháo fān dǎo zài。
Horrified commuters saw the lorry veer across the motorway and overturn.
5
弗兰克·马里亚诺驾驶他那辆破烂不堪的皮卡车成功穿越了沙漠地带。
fú lán kè· · mǎ lǐ yà nuò jià shǐ tā nà liàng pò làn bù kān de pí kǎ chē chéng gōng chuān yuè le shā mò dì。
Frank Mariano negotiates the desert terrain in his battered pickup.
6
有人举报说他们正在从满满当当的卡车上卸洗劫来的家具。
yǒu rén jǔ bào shuō tā mén zhèng zài cóng mǎn mǎn dāng dāng de kǎ chē shàng xiè xǐ jié lái de jiā jù。
They were reported to be unloading trucks filled with looted furniture.
7
卡车在慢车道上以20英里的时速行驶。
kǎ chē zài màn chē dào shàng yǐ20 20 yīng lǐ de shí sù háng。
The lorry was travelling at 20mph in the slow lane.
8
卡车倒车和掉头的时候，我听见发动机的轰鸣声。
kǎ chē dǎo chē hé diào tóu de shí hòu， ， wǒ tīng jiàn fā dòng jī de hōng míng。
I heard the engines revving as the lorries backed and turned.
9
卡车疯狂地左摇右晃，从狭窄的山路上急冲而下。
kǎ chē fēng kuáng dì zuǒ yáo yòu huǎng， ， cóng xiá zhǎi de shān lù shàng jí chōng ér。
The truck sways wildly, careening down narrow mountain roads.
10
他们不时地听到大卡车的轰鸣声。
tā mén bù shí dì tīng dào dà kǎ chē de hōng míng shēng。
Now and then they heard the roar of a heavy truck.
Cultural Notes for 卡车
🏮Cultural insight
In China, the logistics sector is rapidly growing, and卡车 plays a vital role in e-commerce and supply chain management. Truck drivers are essential for moving goods across the vast distances of the country, often working long hours.
Frequently Asked Questions about 卡车
卡车 is more informal and commonly used in everyday language, while 货车 is a more formal term specifically referring to freight trucks.
You can say '我需要租一辆卡车来搬家' (I need to rent a truck to move).
Yes, 卡车 specifically refers to trucks used for transporting goods, not passengers.
