Public bus is the most common and affordable way to travel within a city.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A common public transport vehicle for city travel.
- Known as 'gongjiao' in everyday spoken Chinese.
- Operates on fixed routes with designated stops.
Overview
- 1概览：公共汽车（Public Bus）是城市公共交通系统中最基础、最普及的组成部分。它通过预设的站点和线路，将乘客从城市的一点运送到另一点，是大多数城市居民通勤的主要方式。2) 使用模式：在中文口语中，人们很少使用全称“公共汽车”，而是更倾向于使用“公交车”或“公交”。在描述动作时，通常使用“坐”或“搭乘”。例如：“我每天坐公交车上班”。3) 常见语境：该词常出现在交通咨询、路线规划或日常行程讨论中。例如询问线路时会说“这辆公交车去火车站吗？”，或者在讨论交通拥堵时提到“公交车道”。4) 词汇辨析：与“地铁”（Subway/Metro）相比，公共汽车行驶在地面道路，受交通流量影响较大；与“出租车”（Taxi）相比，公共汽车成本更低，但路线固定且无法直达目的地门口。学习者应注意区分“公交车”与“大巴车”（Coach），后者通常指长途客运车辆。
Examples
我每天坐公交车去上班。
everydayI take the bus to work every day.
请问，去市中心的公交车在哪儿坐？
formalExcuse me, where can I catch the bus to the city center?
这路公交车太挤了。
informalThis bus is too crowded.
城市公交系统是公共交通的重要组成部分。
academicThe urban bus system is an important part of public transportation.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
公交站
Bus stop
公交卡
Bus card
下一站
Next stop
Often Confused With
Refers to long-distance coaches or tourist buses, not city transit buses.
Refers to the subway or metro, which operates underground and is distinct from road-based buses.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use '公交车' for daily conversation. '公共汽车' is acceptable but sounds formal. Always pair with '坐' (to sit/take) or '搭乘' (to ride).
Common Mistakes
Beginners often say '坐车' without specifying which type. Avoid using '公共汽车' in casual settings as it sounds like reading from a textbook.
Tips
Use the abbreviation for natural speech
Native speakers almost always say '公交车' (gōngjiāochē) instead of '公共汽车'. Using the full name sounds slightly formal or robotic.
Do not confuse with long-distance buses
Avoid using '公交车' for long-distance intercity travel. For those, use '大巴' (dàbā) instead.
The importance of IC cards
In many Chinese cities, you pay by tapping a transit card or using a mobile QR code app upon boarding. Cash is becoming less common.
Word Origin
The term comes from '公共' (public) and '汽车' (automobile). It emerged in the early 20th century to describe motorized vehicles serving the public.
Cultural Context
Buses are the backbone of Chinese urban life. With the rise of mobile payments, most buses are now cashless.
Memory Tip
Think of '公' as public and '交' as transportation/exchange. It is the vehicle for public exchange of travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions两者意思完全相同。“公交车”是“公共汽车”的简称，在日常生活中使用频率远高于全称。
你可以说“坐公交车”或“搭乘公交车”。在询问路线时，也可以说“我该坐哪路公交车？”
通常使用“上车”表示进入车厢，使用“下车”表示离开车厢。例如：“我在下一站下车”。
你可以问：“请问这路车到某某地方吗？”或者“去某某地方坐哪路车？”
Test Yourself
我每天早上都去车站___公共汽车。
在中文里，“坐”是交通工具最常用的搭配动词。
下列哪个词最常用于口语？
“公交车”是“公共汽车”的标准简称。
去 / 我 / 公交车 / 坐 / 学校
标准的中文语序是：主语 + 动词 + 交通工具 + 目的地。
Score: /3
Summary
Public bus is the most common and affordable way to travel within a city.
- A common public transport vehicle for city travel.
- Known as 'gongjiao' in everyday spoken Chinese.
- Operates on fixed routes with designated stops.
Use the abbreviation for natural speech
Native speakers almost always say '公交车' (gōngjiāochē) instead of '公共汽车'. Using the full name sounds slightly formal or robotic.
Do not confuse with long-distance buses
Avoid using '公交车' for long-distance intercity travel. For those, use '大巴' (dàbā) instead.
The importance of IC cards
In many Chinese cities, you pay by tapping a transit card or using a mobile QR code app upon boarding. Cash is becoming less common.
Examples
4 of 4我每天坐公交车去上班。
I take the bus to work every day.
请问，去市中心的公交车在哪儿坐？
Excuse me, where can I catch the bus to the city center?
这路公交车太挤了。
This bus is too crowded.
城市公交系统是公共交通的重要组成部分。
The urban bus system is an important part of public transportation.
