客运

• Pinyin: kè yùn
• Hanzi breakdown: 客 = passenger; 运 = 辶 (movement) + 云 (cloud)

Meaning

Passenger transport; passenger service. The commercial transportation of passengers.

Covers all forms of passenger transportation including buses, trains, ships, and planes. Often contrasted with 货运 (freight transport). Used in official and commercial contexts related to transportation services.

Examples

1. 这座城市的客运网络非常发达。 The passenger transport network in this city is very well-developed.
2. 客运站已经开始售卖节假日车票了。 The passenger station has started selling holiday tickets.
3. 航空客运市场在疫情后逐渐恢复。 The air passenger transport market has gradually recovered after the pandemic.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, business, policy

Tone: technical

Do Say

• 客运服务质量需要提升。(The quality of passenger transport service needs to improve.)
• 铁路客运是重要的出行方式。(Railway passenger transport is an important travel mode.)

Don't Say

• 我坐客运去北京。(In casual speech, specify the transport type — say 坐火车/大巴 instead of using the generic 客运)

Origin & History

Compound of 客 (passenger) + 运 (transport). Literally 'passenger transportation.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Professional