Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Understanding the noun 火车 (huǒchē) for 'train'

    Description & Modification
    Direction & Movement

    Explanation

    火车 (huǒchē) means "train" and is one of the most common transportation words in Chinese. It literally translates to "fire vehicle," reflecting the steam-powered origins of rail travel. It appears in many compound words such as 火车站 (train station).

    Examples

    • 我们坐火车去西安吧,比飞机便宜。

      Wǒmen zuò huǒchē qù Xī'ān ba, bǐ fēijī piányi.

      Let's take the train to Xi'an; it's cheaper than flying.

    • 火车上的风景很美,一路都是山和河。

      Huǒchē shàng de fēngjǐng hěn měi, yī lù dōu shì shān hé hé.

      The scenery on the train is beautiful — mountains and rivers the whole way.

    • 他每个周末都坐火车回老家看父母。

      Tā měi ge zhōumò dōu zuò huǒchē huí lǎojiā kàn fùmǔ.

      He takes the train back to his hometown to visit his parents every weekend.

    Understanding the noun 火车 (huǒchē) for 'train' | Chinese Grammar