救护车

• Pinyin: jiù hù chē
• Hanzi breakdown: 救 = 求 (seek help) + 攴 (action) — to save; 护 = 扌(hand) + 户 (household) — to protect; 车 = vehicle

Meaning

Ambulance.

The standard term for an ambulance in Mainland China. 救护 means 'to rescue and care for,' and 车 means vehicle. Calling an ambulance in China is done by dialling 120. 救护车 is used in news reports, medical dramas, and everyday speech. The equivalent in Taiwan is also 救护车, while Hong Kong often uses 白车 (white car) colloquially.

Examples

1. 路人发现老人突然倒地，立即拨打120呼叫救护车。 A passer-by found the elderly person suddenly collapse and immediately called 120 to summon an ambulance.
2. 救护车鸣笛急驰，其他车辆纷纷靠边让行。 The ambulance sped forward with sirens blaring, and other vehicles quickly pulled over to make way.
3. 医院的急诊室外，一辆救护车刚刚将一名车祸伤者送到。 Outside the hospital emergency room, an ambulance had just delivered a traffic accident victim.

Usage Guide

Context: emergency, medicine, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 快叫救护车，这个人需要立即救治！(Call an ambulance quickly — this person needs immediate medical attention!)
• 救护车已经在路上了，大家保持冷静。(The ambulance is already on its way — everyone please stay calm.)

Don't Say

• 我坐救护车去上班。(Unless you're a paramedic or there's a genuine emergency, taking an ambulance to work is bizarre — use 公交 or 出租车)

Origin & History

救 (to rescue, to save) + 护 (to protect, to care for) + 车 (vehicle). A transparent modern compound: the vehicle for rescue and care. Standard terminology in the modern Chinese medical system.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal