宇航员

• Pinyin: yǔ háng yuán
• Hanzi breakdown: 宇 = 宀 (roof) + 于, meaning universe; 航 = 舟 (boat) + 亢, meaning to navigate; 员 = 口 + 贝, meaning member

Meaning

Astronaut; cosmonaut. A person trained to travel and work in space.

The standard term for space travelers from any country. Common phrases: 中国宇航员/航天员 (Chinese astronaut, often called 航天员 officially), 国际空间站宇航员 (ISS astronaut). Related terms: 太空人 (spaceman, more casual), 航天员 (Chinese official term).

Examples

1. 宇航员在太空中进行了长达六个小时的舱外活动。 The astronauts conducted an extravehicular activity in space lasting six hours.
2. 成为一名宇航员是很多孩子从小的梦想。 Becoming an astronaut has been the childhood dream of many children.
3. 这位宇航员在空间站工作了三个月后安全返回地球。 This astronaut worked at the space station for three months before safely returning to Earth.

Usage Guide

Context: science, news, education

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 他的梦想是当宇航员。(His dream is to be an astronaut.)
• 宇航员正在执行太空任务。(The astronauts are carrying out a space mission.)

Don't Say

• 飞机的宇航员 — 飞机上的叫'飞行员'，宇航员专指太空

Origin & History

Compound of 宇 (universe, space) + 航 (to navigate) + 员 (member, person). Together meaning a person who navigates through space.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal