In 15 Seconds
- Literally means reversing or backing up a vehicle.
- Used in parking lots, driveways, and driving lessons.
- Commonly heard in automated safety warnings on Chinese streets.
Meaning
It literally means putting a car in reverse. It's what you say when you're backing into a parking spot or navigating out of a tight driveway.
Key Examples
3 of 6Parking in a tight spot
他在倒车，我们等一下。
He is reversing, let's wait a moment.
Asking a friend for help
你能帮我看着点儿倒车吗？
Can you help watch as I back up?
Formal driving instruction
倒车时请务必观察后视镜。
Please be sure to check the mirrors when reversing.
Cultural Background
In many Chinese cities, parking is extremely tight, leading to a unique culture of 'spotters' who help drivers reverse. The phrase is also iconic due to the ubiquitous, high-pitched electronic warning voice used by older trucks and EVs that repeats 'Please pay attention, reversing' to warn pedestrians.
The 'Dao' Shout
If you see someone helping a driver, they will just yell 'Dào! Dào! Dào!' repeatedly. It means 'Keep coming back!'
Verb-Result
If you want to say you backed into something, use '倒到' (dào dào) or '倒撞了' (dào zhuàng le).
In 15 Seconds
- Literally means reversing or backing up a vehicle.
- Used in parking lots, driveways, and driving lessons.
- Commonly heard in automated safety warnings on Chinese streets.
What It Means
倒车 is the standard way to say "to reverse a vehicle." The first character 倒 means to move backward or flip. The second character 车 is any vehicle. Together, they describe that awkward moment of looking over your shoulder. It is a very practical, everyday term.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb-object phrase. You can say 我在倒车 (I am reversing). If you need someone to help you, ask 帮我打一下火，我要倒车. It often pairs with 请 (please) or 慢点 (slowly). You will hear it constantly in parking lots. It is also used with parking sensors called 倒车雷达.
When To Use It
Use it whenever you are behind the wheel. Use it when directing a friend into a spot. It is perfect for telling a passenger to wait. Use it when you see someone about to hit a pole. It is the go-to word for driving instructors. You will also see it on signs in parking garages.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for "going back" on a promise. That requires different words like 反悔. Do not use it for walking backward. For that, use 往后走. It is strictly for motorized vehicles. Don't use it if you are talking about a bicycle usually. It sounds a bit too formal for a bike.
Cultural Background
In China, parking is an Olympic sport. Spaces are tight and crowds are everywhere. Because of this, 倒车 is often a team effort. You will see security guards shouting 倒，倒，倒! (Back up, back up!). There is a famous meme-like voice from old sensors. It says: 请注意，倒车 (Please pay attention, reversing).
Common Variations
You will hear 倒一下 for a quick reverse. 倒库 specifically means reversing into a garage or spot. 倒车影像 refers to the rearview camera. If someone is bad at it, they have poor 车感 (car sense).
Usage Notes
The phrase is very stable across all registers. The main 'gotcha' is the tone of 'dào' (4th tone); if mispronounced, it might be confused with 'dǎo' (to fall/collapse).
The 'Dao' Shout
If you see someone helping a driver, they will just yell 'Dào! Dào! Dào!' repeatedly. It means 'Keep coming back!'
Verb-Result
If you want to say you backed into something, use '倒到' (dào dào) or '倒撞了' (dào zhuàng le).
Don't confuse with '到车'
The sound 'dào' can also mean 'arrive'. '到车' isn't a phrase, but '车到了' means the car has arrived. Watch your tones!
Examples
6他在倒车，我们等一下。
He is reversing, let's wait a moment.
A common observation when waiting for a driver to finish a maneuver.
你能帮我看着点儿倒车吗？
Can you help watch as I back up?
Using 'watching' implies checking for obstacles.
倒车时请务必观察后视镜。
Please be sure to check the mirrors when reversing.
Uses formal vocabulary like '务必' (must) and '观察' (observe).
我到了，正在倒车入库。
I'm here, just backing into the space.
'入库' specifically means entering the parking stall.
大哥，你这倒车技术是体育老师教的吧？
Bro, did your PE teacher teach you how to reverse?
A common Chinese joke implying someone's skill is lacking.
别倒车！后面有摩托车！
Don't back up! There is a motorcycle behind you!
Urgent command to prevent an accident.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the parking request.
这里太窄了，我不擅长___。
While '停车' (parking) works, '倒车' (reversing) specifically addresses the difficulty of a narrow space.
Complete the safety warning.
___请注意，___请注意。
This is the classic phrase used by vehicle safety alarms in China.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '倒车'
Shouting to a friend to back up.
倒！倒！倒！
Standard conversation about driving.
他在倒车。
Official driving manual or safety sign.
严禁在此倒车。
When to say '倒车'
Parking Lot
正在倒车入库
Safety Warning
请注意倒车
Driving Test
倒车影像
Narrow Alley
往后倒一点
Practice Bank
2 exercises这里太窄了，我不擅长___。
While '停车' (parking) works, '倒车' (reversing) specifically addresses the difficulty of a narrow space.
___请注意，___请注意。
This is the classic phrase used by vehicle safety alarms in China.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly yes, but it can apply to trucks, buses, or any motorized vehicle. For a bicycle, people usually just say 往后退.
Just shout 停！ (Tíng!) or 好了！ (Hǎo le!). In a parking context, people often shout 到！ to mean 'you've reached the spot'.
Yes! The phrase 开倒车 (driving the car backward) is a common idiom meaning to regress or go against the trend of progress.
It is called 倒挡 (dào dǎng). When you shift to reverse, you are 挂倒挡.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend without changing the word.
It means 'Please pay attention, [this vehicle is] reversing.' It is the standard audio warning on many Chinese vehicles.
Yes, in a context where the car is already the focus, you can just say 往后倒 (reverse toward the back).
It is called 倒车影像 (dào chē yǐng xiàng), which literally means 'reversing image'.
That is 侧方停车 (cè fāng tíng chē), but it usually involves 倒车 to get into the spot.
Not really a slang 'word', but the repetitive shouting of 倒，倒，倒... 嘿！ (Back, back, back... Hey!) is a very recognizable cultural trope.
Related Phrases
停车 (tíng chē) - To park
开车 (kāi chē) - To drive
后退 (hòu tuì) - To retreat/move back
倒库 (dào kù) - To reverse into a garage/spot
开倒车 (kāi dào chē) - To regress/act reactively
