机动车

• Pinyin: jī dòng chē
• Hanzi breakdown: 机 = 木 (wood) + 几 (small table), machine; 动 = movement; 车 = pictograph of a vehicle

Meaning

Motor vehicle; any vehicle powered by an engine, including cars, motorcycles, and trucks.

A formal/legal term used in traffic regulations, laws, and official documents. Distinguishes engine-powered vehicles from non-motorized ones like bicycles (非机动车). Common in traffic signs and driving regulations.

Examples

1. 这条路禁止机动车通行，只允许行人和自行车。 This road is closed to motor vehicles; only pedestrians and bicycles are allowed.
2. 购买机动车必须办理登记手续并缴纳相关税费。 Purchasing a motor vehicle requires completing registration procedures and paying relevant taxes.
3. 城市交通拥堵的主要原因是机动车数量增长过快。 The main reason for urban traffic congestion is the rapid increase in the number of motor vehicles.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, traffic, official

Tone: technical

Do Say

• 机动车道不能停车。(You can't park in the motor vehicle lane.)
• 他还没拿到机动车驾驶证。(He hasn't gotten his motor vehicle driver's license yet.)

Don't Say

• 口语中直接说'我的机动车' (Too formal for casual speech — just say 车 or specify 汽车, 摩托车, etc.)

Origin & History

Compound of 机动 (motorized/mobile) + 车 (vehicle). 机动 itself means 'motorized' or 'flexible/mobile.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal