让座

• Pinyin: ràng zuò
• Hanzi breakdown: 让 = 讠(speech) + 上 (above) — to yield; 座 = 广 (roof) + 坐 (sit) — seat

Meaning

To give up one's seat; to offer one's seat to someone. An act of courtesy on public transport.

A common social behavior expected on public transportation, where younger or able-bodied passengers offer their seats to the elderly, pregnant women, people with disabilities, or those carrying young children. This reflects traditional Chinese values of respect for elders and consideration for others.

Examples

1. 看到老人上车，他主动起身让座。 Seeing an elderly person board the bus, he proactively stood up to offer his seat.
2. 在地铁上给孕妇让座是基本的礼貌。 Offering your seat to a pregnant woman on the subway is basic courtesy.
3. 孩子从小就被教育要给需要帮助的人让座。 Children are taught from a young age to give up their seats to people who need help.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, courtesy, social

Tone: considerate

Do Say

• 请坐，我让座给您。(Please sit, I'll give you my seat.)
• 年轻人应该主动让座。(Young people should proactively offer their seats.)

Don't Say

• 不要强迫别人让座 (Don't force others to give up their seats — it's a voluntary act of courtesy, and some people may have invisible disabilities)

Origin & History

Compound of 让 (to yield, to offer) and 座 (seat). Together they mean to yield or offer one's seat to another person.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal