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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'driving' with the separable verb 开车 (kāi chē)

    Actions & Events
    Manner & Method

    Structure

    开 + (Modifier) + 车

    Explanation

    开车 (kāi chē) is a separable verb meaning "to drive a vehicle." Because it is separable, other elements such as 了, 过, or duration phrases can be inserted between 开 and 车. For example, 开了两个小时的车 means "drove for two hours."

    Examples

    • 他每天开车上班要花一个小时。

      Tā měitiān kāichē shàngbān yào huā yī gè xiǎoshí.

      He spends one hour driving to work every day.

    • 我昨天开了三个小时的车才到。

      Wǒ zuótiān kāile sān gè xiǎoshí de chē cái dào.

      I drove for three hours yesterday before arriving.

    • 她刚学会开车，还不太敢上高速。

      tā gāng xuéhuì kāichē, hái bú tài gǎn shàng gāosù.

      She just learned to drive and doesn't quite dare to go on the highway yet.

    Expressing 'driving' with the separable verb 开车 (kāi chē) | Chinese Grammar