A1 Expression Neutral 2 min read

机场。

Jichang.

Airport.

Literally: Machine field

In 15 Seconds

  • The standard Chinese word for any airport.
  • Combines the characters for 'machine' and 'open field'.
  • Essential for travel, navigation, and meeting people.

Meaning

It literally means 'airport,' the place where you catch planes and start your travels.

Key Examples

3 of 6
1

Telling a friend your location

我在机场。

I am at the airport.

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2

Ordering a taxi

师傅,去机场。

Driver, to the airport please.

<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>
3

Asking for directions

请问,机场在哪儿?

Excuse me, where is the airport?

<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>
🌍

Cultural Background

Airports are often very large and require early arrival.

💡

Remember the field

场 means field, so it's a field for planes.

In 15 Seconds

  • The standard Chinese word for any airport.
  • Combines the characters for 'machine' and 'open field'.
  • Essential for travel, navigation, and meeting people.

What It Means

机场 (jīchǎng) is the standard word for airport. The first character means machine or airplane. The second character means a field or large open space. Put them together and you get an 'airplane field.' It is simple, logical, and essential for any traveler. Whether you are flying to Shanghai or New York, this is your starting point.

How To Use It

Use it just like you would in English. You can say you are going to the 机场. You can ask where the 机场 is. It usually acts as a noun in a sentence. If you are taking a taxi, just say the name of the city plus 机场. For example, 'Pudong 机场.' The driver will know exactly where to go. Don't worry about complex grammar here.

When To Use It

You use this when planning trips or checking in. Use it when telling friends where you are. It is perfect for travel apps and maps. If you are lost in a city, this word is your best friend. It works at the ticket counter or in a casual chat. It is a universal word for all aviation needs.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use it for bus stations or train stations. Those have different names like 车站. Also, avoid using it as a verb. You cannot 'airport' someone. You 'go to' the airport. In some niche internet slang, it can refer to a specific type of web server. Unless you are a tech geek, stick to the flying meaning. Using it for a small landing strip might feel too grand.

Cultural Background

China has built massive, futuristic airports recently. They are symbols of national pride and speed. The Beijing Daxing Airport looks like a giant orange starfish. Airports are seen as gateways to the world and modern life. People often take photos at the 机场 to show they are traveling. It is a place of high energy and emotional goodbyes. Many famous romantic movie scenes in China happen right here.

Common Variations

You might hear 民航机场 for civil aviation airports. 国际机场 is the term for international airports. If you are talking about a specific one, use the location name first. 首都机场 is the famous Capital Airport in Beijing. People also use 候机楼 to talk specifically about the terminal building. Just remember 机场 is the umbrella term for everything.

Usage Notes

The word is universally understood across all Chinese-speaking regions. It carries no specific baggage or hidden meanings in standard conversation, making it a safe, high-frequency word for beginners.

💡

Remember the field

场 means field, so it's a field for planes.

Examples

6
#1 Telling a friend your location
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

我在机场。

I am at the airport.

A simple way to state your current location.

#2 Ordering a taxi
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>

师傅,去机场。

Driver, to the airport please.

The most common way to tell a cab driver your destination.

#3 Asking for directions
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

请问,机场在哪儿?

Excuse me, where is the airport?

A survival phrase for any traveler in a new city.

#4 Formal meeting announcement
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>

我们在北京国际机场见面。

We will meet at the Beijing International Airport.

Using the full name of the airport adds a formal touch.

#5 Complaining about traffic
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

去机场的路太堵了!

The road to the airport is so crowded!

A relatable complaint in big cities like Beijing or Shanghai.

#6 Saying goodbye to a partner
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M4.318 6.318a4.5 4.5 0 000 6.364L12 20.364l7.682-7.682a4.5 4.5 0 00-6.364-6.364L12 7.636l-1.318-1.318a4.5 4.5 0 00-6.364 0z"/></svg>

我在机场等你回来。

I will wait for you at the airport to come back.

Expresses longing and emotional connection.

Test Yourself

Which word means airport?

我要去____。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 机场

机场 is the place for planes.

🎉 Score: /1

Visual Learning Aids

Formality of '机场'

Informal

Texting a friend 'See you at the airport'

机场见!

Neutral

Asking a stranger for directions

机场怎么走?

Formal

Official flight announcements

欢迎来到浦东国际机场。

When to use '机场'

机场
🚕

In a Taxi

Go to the airport.

📅

Travel Planning

What time is the airport shuttle?

📸

Social Media

Check-in at the airport.

💼

Business

Picking up a client.

Practice Bank

1 exercises
Which word means airport? Choose A1

我要去____。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 机场

机场 is the place for planes.

🎉 Score: /1

Frequently Asked Questions

1 questions

It is neutral.

Related Phrases

🔗

飞机

builds on

Airplane

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