行驶

• Pinyin: xíng shǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 行 = crossroads, meaning to go; 驶 = 马 (horse) + 史 (history), meaning to drive quickly

Meaning

To travel; to drive; to sail. The movement of vehicles or vessels along a route.

Used specifically for vehicles (cars, trains, ships) moving along roads, tracks, or waterways. More formal than 开 (to drive). Common collocations include 行驶速度 (traveling speed), 行驶证 (vehicle registration), and 安全行驶 (safe driving).

Examples

1. 列车正在高速行驶中，请勿走动。 The train is traveling at high speed, please do not walk around.
2. 这辆车在高速公路上行驶了两个小时。 This car traveled on the highway for two hours.
3. 船只在海上行驶需要注意天气变化。 Ships sailing at sea need to pay attention to weather changes.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, traffic

Tone: technical

Do Say

• 请保持安全行驶。(Please maintain safe driving.)
• 车辆行驶中禁止吸烟。(Smoking is prohibited while the vehicle is in motion.)

Don't Say

• 我行驶去上班 (Awkward — 行驶 is for vehicles, not people; say 我开车去上班 or 我骑车去上班)

Origin & History

Compound of 行 (to go, travel) and 驶 (to drive, speed), meaning to travel by vehicle.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal