driver in Mandarin Chinese: 司机

sījī · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for driver

分析师

fēnxī shī

板

bǎn

疑点

yídiǎn

房子

fángzi

司机

sījī

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neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers use the word 司机 (sījī) in everyday conversations when discussing transportation, whether they're talking about hiring a taxi, asking for a ride, or discussing their daily commute. You might hear it in phrases like '我需要一个司机' (wǒ xūyào yīgè sījī), meaning 'I need a driver.'

Synonyms & nuances

While 司机 (sījī) is commonly used to refer to any driver, the word 驾驶员 (jiàshǐyuán) is more formal and often used in official contexts, like company documentation or in the transportation industry. You would choose 司机 in casual conversation and 驾驶员 when discussing professional qualifications.

Culture

Interestingly, the character 司 (sī) means 'to manage' or 'to take charge,' and 机 (jī) refers to 'machine' or 'mechanism.' This reflects the evolution of transportation from manual to machine-operated vehicles. In modern times, 司机 has become a staple term, especially in a country where ride-sharing apps are gaining immense popularity.

FAQ

Q.What is the pronunciation of 司机?

The pronunciation of 司机 is sījī. The first syllable has a high, even tone, while the second syllable has a high falling tone.

Q.How do you use 司机 in a sentence?

You can use 司机 in a sentence like '这个司机很友好' (zhè ge sījī hěn yǒuhǎo), which means 'This driver is very friendly.'

Q.Are there other words for driver in Mandarin?

Yes, another word for driver is 驾驶员 (jiàshǐyuán), which is more formal and typically used in professional contexts.

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