坐

• Pinyin: zuò
• Hanzi breakdown: 坐 = 人 + 人 (two people) + 土 (earth) — two people sitting on the ground

Meaning

To sit; to take a seat. Also means to travel by (a vehicle).

A common verb with two main meanings: (1) to sit down or be seated: 请坐 (please sit); (2) to ride or travel by a vehicle: 坐公交车 (take a bus), 坐飞机 (take a plane). The second usage is very common and essential for travel-related conversation.

Examples

1. 请坐。 Please sit down.
2. 我坐公交车去学校。 I take the bus to school.
3. 他坐在椅子上看书。 He is sitting in a chair reading.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, transport

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请坐，不要站着。(Please sit down, don't stand.)
• 你坐几路车？(Which bus number do you take?)

Don't Say

• 我坐了车那里。(Incorrect structure — say 我坐车去了那里 for 'I took a bus there')

Origin & History

Originally depicted two people sitting on the ground. The character represents the act of sitting.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal