搭乘

• Pinyin: dā chéng
• Hanzi breakdown: 搭 = 扌+ 荅 (to travel with); 乘 = 禾 + 北 (to ride)

Meaning

To take (transportation); to travel by. A formal verb meaning to ride or travel on a vehicle.

More formal than 坐 or 乘. Used in official announcements, news, and formal writing. Common with airplanes, trains, and public transportation. Can imply getting a ride with someone (搭便车).

Examples

1. 旅客可以搭乘机场大巴前往市中心。 Passengers can take the airport bus to the city center.
2. 总统搭乘专机抵达北京，开始为期三天的国事访问。 The president arrived in Beijing by private jet, beginning a three-day state visit.
3. 上班高峰期搭乘地铁比开车更快捷。 Taking the subway during rush hour is faster than driving.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, news, official

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 您可以搭乘二号线到达。(You can take Line 2 to get there.)
• 搭乘航班需要提前两小时到达机场。(For flights, you need to arrive at the airport two hours in advance.)

Don't Say

• 我搭乘走路去学校 (搭乘 requires a vehicle — for walking, just say 走路 or 步行)

Origin & History

Compound of 搭 (to travel with, catch a ride) + 乘 (to ride, travel). Together forming a formal term for taking transportation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal