公交车 — meaning in English: bus

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

Guess the translation for bus

英联邦

yīng liánbāng

公交车

gōngjiāo chē

打击

dǎjí

的地方

dì dìfāng

pínglùn

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neutral very common

Usage

In everyday conversation, native Mandarin speakers commonly use the word 公交车 when discussing public transportation, especially in urban areas. For instance, someone might say, '我坐公交车去上班' (I take the bus to work) when talking about their daily commute.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym for 公交车 is 巴士 (bāshì), which is derived from the English word 'bus'. While 巴士 is widely understood, 公交车 is more commonly used in everyday conversation and emphasizes the public aspect of the transport system.

Culture

The term 公交车 is a combination of 公共 (gōnggòng), meaning 'public', and 交通 (jiāotōng), meaning 'transportation'. This reflects the collective nature of public transport in China, which is a vital part of the daily lives of millions. Interestingly, public buses in China have evolved significantly over the years, often representing not just a mode of transport but also a social hub where diverse communities interact.

FAQ

Q.What is the pronunciation of 公交车?

The pronunciation of 公交车 is gōngjiāo chē. You can break it down into three parts: gōng (public), jiāo (transport), and chē (vehicle).

Q.How do you say 'I take the bus' in Mandarin?

In Mandarin, you would say '我坐公交车' (wǒ zuò gōngjiāo chē), which translates directly to 'I take the bus'.

Q.Are there other ways to refer to a bus in Mandarin?

Yes, besides 公交车, you can also use 巴士 (bāshì), especially in more informal contexts, but 公交车 remains the most widely recognized term.

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Chinese (Mandarin) 2000