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驾驶 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
驾驶jiàshǐto pilot (ship, airplane etc)HSK 5, v, rank #2537, Hard
驾驶jiàshǐto driveHSK 5, v, rank #2537, Hard
jiàshǐ(jia4shi3) T4
  1. 1to pilot (ship, airplane etc)
  2. 2to drive
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March 24, 2026
驾驶(駕駛)jiàshǐ(jia4shi3)

驾驶 (jià shǐ) refers to the act of controlling or operating a vehicle, such as a car, airplane, or ship. It is commonly used in contexts involving transportation and travel, emphasizing the skill required to guide the vehicle safely and effectively.

Frequency#2537DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In China, obtaining a '驾驶证' (driver's license) requires passing both theoretical and practical exams, highlighting the importance placed on safe driving. Driving culture can vary significantly from Western countries, with unique traffic rules and practices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'jockey' (sounds like 'jia') steering a 'ship' (sounds like 'shi') across the waters. The jockey must expertly navigate the ship, just like you must learn to驾驶 your vehicle on the road.

Meanings of 驾驶

jiàshǐ(jia4shi3)
1to pilot (ship, airplane etc)
2to drive
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 驾驶

驾驶Simplified
駕駛Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2537Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRB2

Podcast: 驾驶

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Podcast: 驾驶

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AI Study Notes for 驾驶

Quick Contrast

驾驶 (drive) vs 操控 (manipulate) — use 驾驶 when referring specifically to operating vehicles, while 操控 is broader and can refer to controlling various objects or systems.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'jockey' (sounds like 'jia') steering a 'ship' (sounds like 'shi') across the waters. The jockey must expertly navigate the ship, just like you must learn to驾驶 your vehicle on the road.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; '驾驶' is pronounced with a falling tone on the first syllable and a dipping tone on the second. Common collocations include '驾驶证' (driver's license) and '驾驶员' (driver). Avoid using '驾驶' in informal contexts where simpler terms like '开车' (kāi chē, to drive a car) might be more appropriate.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, '驾驶' connects with other transportation-related vocabulary, like '车' (chē, car) and '行驶' (xíng shǐ, to travel). Focus on practicing its usage in sentences to enhance your fluency and understanding of related words.

Cultural Note

In China, obtaining a '驾驶证' (driver's license) requires passing both theoretical and practical exams, highlighting the importance placed on safe driving. Driving culture can vary significantly from Western countries, with unique traffic rules and practices.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '驾驶' with '开车,' thinking they are interchangeable in all contexts. Remember, '驾驶' is more formal and can apply to various vehicles, while '开车' specifically refers to driving a car.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 驾驶

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Component Characters

驾jiàto harness
HSK 78 strokes马
View full entry
驶shǐto gallop
8 strokes马
View full entry

Write 驾驶

驾
驶

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

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Grammar Patterns of 驾驶

驾驶 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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

“沙锥鸟”战斗机的____舱空间不太宽敞。

There was not much elbow room in the cockpit of a Snipe.

Example Sentences for 驾驶 (10)

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1
“沙锥鸟”战斗机的驾驶舱空间不太宽敞。

“ “ shā zhuī” niǎo ” zhàn dǒu jī de jià shǐ cāng kōng jiān bù tài。

There was not much elbow room in the cockpit of a Snipe.
2
库克船长驾驶的船安全出航100次无事故。

kù kè chuán cháng jià shǐ de chuán ān quán chū háng100 100 cì wú shì。

Captain Cook safely navigated his ship without accident for 100 voyages.
3
持枪歹徒坐上一辆由同伙驾驶的摩托车逃逸。

chí qiāng dǎi tú zuò shàng yī liàng yóu tóng huǒ jià shǐ de mó tuō chē táo yì。

The gunman escaped on a motorcycle being ridden by an accomplice.
4
较好的驾驶设备能够提升在湿滑路面上的抓地力。

jiào hǎo de jià shǐ shè bèi néng gòu tí shēng zài shī huá lù miàn shàng de zhuā dì lì。

Better driv-ing equipment will improve track adhesion in slippery conditions.
5
服务沿海地区的地方广播电台经常为驾驶游艇出海的人播报天气预报。

fú wù yán hǎi dì qū de dì fāng guǎng bō diàn tái jīng cháng wéi jià shǐ yóu tǐng chū hǎi de rén bō bào tiān qì yù bào。

Local radio stations serving coastal areas often broadcast forecasts for yachtsmen.
6
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.
7
不良驾驶不仅仅是飙车小子们才会做的事。

bù liáng jià shǐ bù jǐn jǐn shì biāo chē xiǎo zǐ mén cái huì zuò de shì。

Bad driving is not just the preserve of boy racers.
8
这车坐上去很舒服，但需要高超的驾驶技术。

zhè chē zuò shàng qù hěn shū fú， ， dàn xū yào gāo chāo de jià shǐ jì。

It is a sensuous but demanding car to drive.
9
很多人认为对鲁莽驾驶的司机处罚过轻。

hěn duō rén rèn wéi duì lǔ mǎng jià shǐ de sī jī chǔ fá guò qīng。

Many people believe reckless drivers are treated too leniently.
10
1990年，出租车司机鲁莽驾驶导致的违章事件总共达239起。

1990 1990， nián ， chū zū chē sī jī lǔ mǎng jià shǐ dǎo zhì de wéi zhāng shì jiàn zǒng239 gòng。

Rude taxi drivers clocked up a total of 239 offences in

Cultural Notes for 驾驶

🏮Cultural insight

In China, obtaining a '驾驶证' (driver's license) requires passing both theoretical and practical exams, highlighting the importance placed on safe driving. Driving culture can vary significantly from Western countries, with unique traffic rules and practices.

Frequently Asked Questions about 驾驶

While '驾驶' is a more formal term for operating a vehicle, '开车' is informal and specifically means 'to drive a car.'