轿车

• Pinyin: jiào chē
• Hanzi breakdown: 轿 = 车 (vehicle) + 乔 — sedan chair; 车 = vehicle

Meaning

Sedan; passenger car. A closed automobile with a separate trunk, designed primarily for passenger transport.

Specifically refers to sedans as opposed to SUVs, trucks, or vans. The most common type of personal vehicle in China. Can carry connotations of comfort and status depending on the brand.

Examples

1. 他花了二十万买了一辆新轿车。 He spent 200,000 yuan to buy a new sedan.
2. 公司为高管配备了专用轿车。 The company provides dedicated sedans for executives.
3. 马路上跑的大多数都是私家轿车。 Most vehicles on the road are private sedans.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, automotive, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你那辆轿车是什么牌子的？(What brand is your sedan?)
• 我更喜欢轿车而不是SUV。(I prefer sedans over SUVs.)

Don't Say

• 用'轿车'描述货车或越野车 (Don't use 轿车 for trucks or SUVs — it specifically means sedans; use 卡车 for trucks, 越野车 or SUV for SUVs)

Origin & History

Composed of 轿 (sedan chair) + 车 (vehicle). Originally 轿 referred to carried sedan chairs; combined with 车, it means a motorized enclosed passenger vehicle.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal