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公交车站

A2 noun 9 min read

公交车站

gōngjiāo chē zhàn

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 公交车站 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 公交车站 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn '公交车站' as a single block of meaning. You need to know it to ask 'Where is the bus stop?' (公交车站在哪里？). At this stage, focus on the physical object—the sign or the shelter on the street. You will use it with simple verbs like 'go' (去) and 'is' (在). It is one of the essential 'survival' words for traveling in a Chinese city. You don't need to worry about the internal grammar of the word yet, just recognize the four characters and the sound 'gōng jiāo chē zhàn'.

At the A2 level, you start using '公交车站' in more complex sentences. You can describe where it is relative to other things, such as 'The bus stop is in front of the supermarket' (公交车站在大超市前面). You also learn to use the measure word '个'. You should be able to understand simple bus schedules posted at the stop and recognize the names of different stops. You might also start using the shortened version '车站' when the context is clear.

By B1, you can use '公交车站' to discuss your daily routine or commute. You can explain why you were late (e.g., 'The bus didn't come to the bus stop on time'). You should be comfortable using prepositions and resultative complements, like 'I walked to the bus stop' (我走到公交车站). You also start to recognize the difference between a local bus stop and a '公交总站' (bus terminal) or a '客运站' (long-distance bus station).

At the B2 level, you can discuss the '公交车站' in the context of urban planning or environmental issues. You might talk about the 'smart' features of modern bus stops in China or the transition to electric buses. You can use the word in more formal writing, perhaps comparing public transport in different countries. You understand more nuanced terms like '站台' (platform) and '换乘' (transfer) that occur at the bus stop.

At the C1 level, you understand the cultural and social implications of the '公交车站' as a communal space. You can follow fast-paced announcements in different accents and understand regional variations like '巴士站'. You might use the word in metaphors or more literary contexts, such as describing the atmosphere of a city at night by focusing on the lonely figures at a bus stop. Your vocabulary around the station is extensive, including terms for specific infrastructure components.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of the term. You can discuss the historical evolution of '公交车站' in Chinese cities from the early 20th century to the present. You can handle complex legal or technical documents regarding transit infrastructure. You might even use the term in creative writing to evoke specific moods or social commentaries. The word is no longer just a 'bus stop' but a symbol of urban connectivity and social hierarchy.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

公交车站 in 30 Seconds

A 公交车站 is a bus stop or station for public transportation in urban or rural areas.
It is composed of 'gōngjiāo' (public transport) and 'chēzhàn' (station/stop).
Essential for daily commuting, it is a key landmark for directions and navigation.
Modern versions in China often feature digital displays and QR codes for real-time tracking.

The term 公交车站 (gōng jiāo chē zhàn) is a fundamental noun in Mandarin Chinese, essential for anyone navigating urban environments. It translates directly to 'bus stop' or 'bus station.' To understand the word deeply, we must break down its components. 公交 (gōngjiāo) is an abbreviation for 公共交通 (gōnggòng jiāotōng), meaning public transportation. 车 (chē) means vehicle or car, and 站 (zhàn) means a station or a stop. When combined, they form a specific designation for the nodes in a city's public bus network.

Core Function: The primary purpose of a 公交车站 is to serve as a designated point for passengers to board or disembark from public buses. In modern Chinese cities, these can range from a simple pole with a sign to elaborate shelters with electronic displays showing real-time bus arrivals.
Social Context: In China, the bus stop is a hub of daily life. During rush hour, you will see commuters, students, and elderly residents gathering here. It is a place of shared patience and observation. Understanding how to find and use a 公交车站 is a rite of passage for any learner living in China.

我在公交车站等了你半个小时。 (I waited for you at the bus stop for half an hour.)

A common scenario involving time and location.

Linguistically, the word is versatile. While 公交车站 is the full, formal name, people often shorten it to 车站 (chēzhàn) if the context of a bus is already established. However, 车站 can also refer to a train station, so using the full four-character version prevents ambiguity, especially when giving directions to a taxi driver or a stranger.

请问，最近的公交车站在哪里？ (Excuse me, where is the nearest bus stop?)

In terms of physical appearance, a 公交车站 in a tier-1 city like Shanghai or Beijing might feature solar-powered lighting and 'smart' advertising boards. In contrast, in rural areas, it might just be a stone marker. Regardless of its form, the term remains the same. It is a vital landmark for navigation. If you are lost, finding a 公交车站 is often the first step to finding your way home, as most stops feature a detailed map of the bus routes passing through that point.

The 'Station' vs. 'Stop' Nuance: In English, we distinguish between a 'stop' (roadside) and a 'station' (a larger building). In Chinese, 公交车站 covers both. However, for a massive terminal where many lines begin and end, you might hear 公交总站 (gōngjiāo zǒngzhàn), meaning 'bus terminal'.

Finally, consider the environmental aspect. China has the world's largest fleet of electric buses. Therefore, when you stand at a 公交车站 today, you are likely waiting for a quiet, zero-emission vehicle. This evolution has changed the atmosphere of the bus stop from a noisy, smoky place to a much cleaner part of the urban landscape.

Using 公交车站 correctly involves understanding Chinese sentence structure regarding locations. In Chinese, location phrases usually come before the verb. For example, instead of saying 'I wait at the bus stop,' you say 'I at bus stop wait' (我在公交车站等).

Basic Location Pattern: Structure: Subject + 在 + 公交车站 + Verb.
Example: 他在公交车站看书。 (He is reading a book at the bus stop.)
Directional Pattern: Structure: Subject + 去 + 公交车站 + Action.
Example: 我走路去公交车站。 (I walk to the bus stop.)

这路车在下个公交车站停吗？ (Does this bus stop at the next bus stop?)

When describing the position of the bus stop relative to other landmarks, you use postpositions like 对面 (opposite), 旁边 (beside), or 附近 (nearby). This is crucial for giving directions.

我家门口有一个公交车站。 (There is a bus stop at the entrance of my housing complex.)

Another important grammatical point is the use of measure words. The most common measure word for 公交车站 is 个 (gè), though 座 (zuò) can be used for larger, more structural stations to give a more formal or descriptive tone. Most daily conversation will use 一个公交车站.

Verbs frequently associated with 公交车站 include 等 (děng - wait), 找 (zhǎo - look for), 经过 (jīngguò - pass by), and 停 (tíng - stop). Combining these allows for a wide range of practical expressions.

我们要在哪一个公交车站下车？ (At which bus stop should we get off?)

Finally, in the context of modern travel, you might use the word when interacting with map apps (like Baidu Maps or Amap). You might say 在地图上搜一下公交车站 (Search for the bus stop on the map). This shows how the word bridges physical reality and digital navigation.

In a Chinese-speaking environment, you will encounter the word 公交车站 in several distinct contexts. The most obvious is through automated announcements. If you are riding a bus, the electronic voice will announce the current and upcoming stops.

前方到站：中山路公交车站。 (Next stop: Zhongshan Road Bus Stop.)

You will also hear it frequently when asking for or receiving directions. Since bus stops are ubiquitous landmarks, they are often used as reference points. A local might tell you, 'Turn left at the bus stop' or 'It's right next to the bus stop.'

Daily Commute Conversations: Friends meeting up often use the bus stop as a rendezvous point. You might hear: 我们在公交车站见吧。 (Let's meet at the bus stop.)
Public Service Announcements: During road construction, you might hear news reports or see signs saying: 由于施工，该公交车站临时关闭。 (Due to construction, this bus stop is temporarily closed.)

In movies or TV dramas, the 公交车站 is a classic setting for romantic partings or chance encounters. It symbolizes the transience of city life. When characters are talking about their day, they might mention the crowds at the bus stop or how they missed their bus.

昨天我在公交车站碰到了老王。 (I ran into Old Wang at the bus stop yesterday.)

Furthermore, in the workplace, if you are late, you might explain yourself by saying there was a problem at the bus stop or the bus didn't stop at the 公交车站. It is a part of the 'vocabulary of excuses' for urban dwellers. In schools, children learn about public safety and are taught to wait for the bus properly at the 公交车站, making it one of the first multi-syllable nouns a child masters.

Even for intermediate learners, there are several pitfalls when using 公交车站. The most common error is confusing it with other types of stations. In English, 'station' is a broad term, but in Chinese, the prefix is vital.

The 'Bus' vs. 'Train' Mix-up: Mistake: Saying 火车站 (huǒchēzhàn) when you mean bus stop. 火车站 specifically means train station. If you tell a taxi driver to go to the 车站, they will likely take you to the central railway station, not the local bus stop.
Incorrect Measure Words: Mistake: Using 张 (zhāng) or 把 (bǎ). The correct measure word is 个 (gè) for a general stop or 座 (zuò) for a large station building.

Another mistake involves the word 巴士 (bāshì). While 巴士站 is common in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and some southern regions, in Mainland China, 公交车站 is much more standard for public city buses. Using 巴士站 might make you sound like you are looking for a long-distance coach or a private shuttle.

Incorrect: 我去公交车站等公交车站。
Correct: 我去公交车站等公交车。

Finally, watch out for the pronunciation of 站 (zhàn). If you use the wrong tone, it might be confused with 占 (zhàn - to occupy) or 展 (zhǎn - to exhibit). While context usually helps, clear tones are essential for being understood by drivers who are in a hurry.

Lastly, some learners try to translate 'bus station' literally as 公共汽车站. While technically correct and understood, it is quite formal and 'textbook-style.' In real life, almost everyone uses the more efficient 公交车站.

To truly master the vocabulary of transit, you should know how 公交车站 compares to its synonyms and related terms. Each has a specific nuance that changes based on the mode of transport or the size of the facility.

车站 (chēzhàn): The generic term for 'station'. It is the most common abbreviation for a bus stop, but can also refer to a train station. Use this when the context is clear.
巴士站 (bāshì zhàn): Common in Cantonese-speaking areas and for long-distance coaches. In Mandarin-speaking Mainland China, it sounds slightly more modern or refers to private shuttles.
站台 (zhàntái): Refers specifically to the 'platform'. You might say, 'I am standing on the platform' (我在站台上面). It emphasizes the physical raised area where you wait.

Comparison:
1. 这里的公交车站很大。(This bus stop is very big.)
2. 这里的站台很干净。(This platform is very clean.)

Another term to know is 候车室 (hòuchē shì), which means 'waiting room.' You will find these at large 公交总站 (bus terminals) or train stations, but almost never at a standard roadside 公交车站. If you are waiting outside in the rain, you are at a 站, not in a 室.

For those using the subway, the term is 地铁站 (dìtiě zhàn). Often, a 公交车站 is located right outside a 地铁站 to facilitate transfers. This area is sometimes broadly called a 交通枢纽 (jiāotōng shūniǔ), or 'transportation hub'.

In summary, while 公交车站 is your 'workhorse' word for daily travel, knowing these alternatives will help you navigate more complex transit systems and understand more specific instructions from locals.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '站' (zhàn) originally meant 'to stand.' It was later used for courier stations in ancient China where horses were changed, and eventually for modern bus and train stations.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈbʌs stɒp/

US /ˈbʌs stɑːp/

Gōng-jiāo-chē-zhàn

Rhymes With

饭 (fàn) 站 (zhàn) 慢 (màn) 看 (kàn) 办 (bàn) 蛋 (dàn) 蓝 (lán - near rhyme) 山 (shān - near rhyme)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zhàn' with the 1st tone (zhān) instead of the 4th tone.
Muddling the 'gōng' and 'jiāo' sounds into one syllable.
Forgetting the retroflex 'ch' in 'chē'.
Using the wrong vowel sound for 'jiāo' (saying 'jiao' like 'jow').
Failing to emphasize the 4th tone on 'zhàn', making it sound like a question.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Characters are common but the four-character length requires some focus for beginners.

Writing 3/5

The character '站' and '公交' have several strokes.

Speaking 2/5

Four syllables with clear tone changes (1-1-1-4).

Listening 2/5

Very common in announcements; easy to recognize once learned.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

车公共去在哪里

Learn Next

地铁站换乘刷卡投币路线

Advanced

交通枢纽城市规划公共基础设施通勤运力

Grammar to Know

Location prepositions (在)

我在公交车站。

Measure words (个)

那儿有三个公交车站。

Directional verbs (去/到)

我走到公交车站。

Resultative complements (到)

我看到公交车站了。

Time duration

我在公交车站等了十分钟。

Examples by Level

公交车站在哪里？

Where is the bus stop?

Simple 'where' question using 在哪里.

那是公交车站。

That is a bus stop.

Using 那是 (that is).

我去公交车站。

I am going to the bus stop.

Subject + 去 + Place.

他在公交车站。

He is at the bus stop.

Subject + 在 + Place.

公交车站很近。

The bus stop is very close.

Adjective sentence with 很.

这是一个公交车站。

This is a bus stop.

Using the measure word 个.

公交车站在学校对面。

The bus stop is opposite the school.

Location word 对面.

我要去公交车站等车。

I want to go to the bus stop to wait for the bus.

Using 要 (want) and 等车 (wait for bus).

请在下一个公交车站下车。

Please get off at the next bus stop.

Using 下车 (get off).

公交车站旁边有一个商店。

There is a shop next to the bus stop.

Existence sentence with 有.

我每天在公交车站等半个小时。

I wait at the bus stop for half an hour every day.

Time duration after the verb.

这个公交车站没有座位。

This bus stop has no seats.

Negative existence with 没有.

你可以走路去公交车站。

You can walk to the bus stop.

Using the modal verb 可以.

公交车站的人很多。

There are many people at the bus stop.

Possessive marker 的 used for location.

我不认识这个公交车站。

I don't recognize this bus stop.

Using 认识 for familiarity.

公交车站的地图很清楚。

The map at the bus stop is very clear.

Adjective 清楚 (clear).

如果你到了公交车站，请给我打电话。

If you arrive at the bus stop, please call me.

Conditional sentence with 如果...请...

虽然下雨了，但他还在公交车站等。

Although it's raining, he is still waiting at the bus stop.

Conjunction 虽然...但是...

这个公交车站的班次很频繁。

The bus frequency at this stop is very high.

Vocabulary: 班次 (frequency/schedule).

我刚离开公交车站，车就来了。

As soon as I left the bus stop, the bus arrived.

Structure 刚...就...

请问去博物馆要在哪个公交车站换乘？

Excuse me, at which bus stop should I transfer to go to the museum?

Vocabulary: 换乘 (transfer).

公交车站的电子屏幕坏了。

The electronic screen at the bus stop is broken.

Resultative complement 坏了.

他在公交车站附近找了一家咖啡馆。

He found a cafe near the bus stop.

Location word 附近 (nearby).

为了赶上第一班车，他五点就到了公交车站。

In order to catch the first bus, he arrived at the bus stop at 5 o'clock.

Purpose clause with 为了.

城市规划者决定在市中心增设几个公交车站。

City planners decided to add several more bus stops in the city center.

Vocabulary: 城市规划者 (city planners), 增设 (to add/install).

这些公交车站都采用了太阳能供电系统。

These bus stops all use solar power systems.

Vocabulary: 采用 (adopt), 太阳能 (solar energy).

政府通过优化公交车站的布局来缓解交通压力。

The government relieves traffic pressure by optimizing the layout of bus stops.

Structure 通过...来... (by means of... to...).

由于公交车站的改建，所有的车都临时改道了。

Due to the reconstruction of the bus stop, all buses have been temporarily diverted.

Vocabulary: 改建 (reconstruction), 改道 (divert).

在这个公交车站，你可以扫码查看实时公交信息。

At this bus stop, you can scan the code to check real-time bus information.

Vocabulary: 实时 (real-time), 扫码 (scan code).

公交车站的设计应考虑到残疾人的需求。

The design of bus stops should take into account the needs of people with disabilities.

Vocabulary: 考虑到 (take into account).

他抱怨说公交车站的候车环境太差了。

He complained that the waiting environment at the bus stop was too poor.

Vocabulary: 抱怨 (complain), 候车 (waiting for a vehicle).

新的公交车站不仅美观，而且功能齐全。

The new bus stop is not only beautiful but also fully functional.

Conjunction 不仅...而且... (not only... but also...).

公交车站成了这座城市中人们短暂交集的缩影。

The bus stop has become a microcosm of the brief interactions between people in this city.

Literary usage: 缩影 (microcosm), 交集 (interaction).

尽管城市在飞速发展，老旧的公交车站依然承载着许多人的记忆。

Despite the city's rapid development, the old bus stops still carry the memories of many people.

Vocabulary: 承载 (carry/sustain), 飞速 (rapidly).

在早高峰时段，公交车站总是挤满了行色匆匆的上班族。

During the morning rush hour, the bus stop is always crowded with office workers in a hurry.

Idiom: 行色匆匆 (in a hurry).

这种新型的智能公交车站能够自动调节遮阳板的角度。

This new type of smart bus stop can automatically adjust the angle of its sunshades.

Vocabulary: 自动调节 (auto-adjust), 遮阳板 (sunshade).

我们在公交车站的站牌上发现了一些有趣的涂鸦。

We found some interesting graffiti on the bus stop sign.

Vocabulary: 站牌 (bus stop sign/board).

公交车站的选址需要经过严密的流量测算。

The selection of a bus stop location requires rigorous traffic flow calculations.

Vocabulary: 选址 (site selection), 流量测算 (flow calculation).

深夜的公交车站透出一股静谧而又略显凄凉的气息。

The bus stop late at night gives off a quiet and somewhat desolate atmosphere.

Descriptive language: 静谧 (quiet), 凄凉 (desolate).

他站在公交车站，目送着她乘坐的车消失在街角。

Standing at the bus stop, he watched her bus disappear around the corner.

Vocabulary: 目送 (to watch someone leave).

公交车站作为城市公共空间的重要组成部分，体现了城市治理的包容性。

As an important component of urban public space, bus stops reflect the inclusiveness of urban governance.

Academic tone: 城市治理 (urban governance), 包容性 (inclusiveness).

在文学作品中，公交车站常被赋予象征生命中转站的深层含义。

In literary works, the bus stop is often endowed with the deep meaning of being a transit point in life.

Passive voice: 被赋予 (be endowed with).

该地区的公交车站分布密度与人口经济状况呈现出显著的正相关关系。

The density of bus stop distribution in this area shows a significant positive correlation with socio-economic status.

Scientific terminology: 正相关 (positive correlation).

通过对公交车站周边商业价值的挖掘，可以有效带动社区经济的增长。

By tapping into the commercial value around bus stops, community economic growth can be effectively driven.

Vocabulary: 挖掘 (excavate/tap into), 商业价值 (commercial value).

这种极简主义风格的公交车站设计，旨在减少视觉污染并提升城市审美。

This minimalist bus stop design aims to reduce visual pollution and enhance urban aesthetics.

Vocabulary: 极简主义 (minimalism), 视觉污染 (visual pollution).

历史学家通过研究旧时的公交车站遗址，来重构那个时代的城市交通图景。

Historians reconstruct the urban transportation landscape of that era by studying the remains of old bus stops.

Vocabulary: 重构 (reconstruct), 图景 (landscape/prospect).

公交车站的智能化转型是建设智慧城市不可或缺的一环。

The intelligent transformation of bus stops is an indispensable part of building a smart city.

Idiom: 不可或缺 (indispensable).

在某些偏远地区，公交车站甚至成为了村民们交流信息的社交中心。

In some remote areas, the bus stop has even become a social center for villagers to exchange information.

Social observation: 社交中心 (social center).

Common Collocations

Common Phrases

赶公交车

— To rush to catch a bus.

他正赶往公交车站去赶公交车。

错过班车

— To miss the bus.

他在公交车站错过了最后一班车。

公交优先

— Public transport priority (policy).

公交车站的建设体现了公交优先的原则。

实时公交

— Real-time bus information.

你可以在公交车站看实时公交。

无人售票

— No conductor (self-service ticketing).

公交车站的提示语说这辆车是无人售票的。

公交专用道

— Bus-only lane.

公交车站通常设在公交专用道旁边。

首末班时间

— First and last bus times.

公交车站牌上标明了首末班时间。

换乘站

— Transfer station.

这个公交车站是一个大型换乘站。

站名

— Station name.

请注意听公交车站的站名。

投币/刷卡

— Insert coins/swipe card.

进入公交车站前请准备好零钱或公交卡。

Often Confused With

公交车站 vs 火车站

Train station. Used for long-distance trains, not city buses.

公交车站 vs 地铁站

Subway/Metro station. Underground transport.

公交车站 vs 加油站

Gas/Petrol station. Where cars get fuel.

Idioms & Expressions

"人山人海"

— A sea of people; very crowded.

早上的公交车站真是人山人海。

Informal/Descriptive

"各就各位"

— Everyone in their place.

公交车站的乘客们各就各位，准备上车。

Neutral

"行色匆匆"

— In a great hurry.

公交车站到处是行色匆匆的路人。

Literary

"风雨无阻"

— Regardless of wind or rain.

公交车风雨无阻地停靠在每个公交车站。

Idiomatic

"络绎不绝"

— Continuous stream.

去公交车站的人络绎不绝。

Literary

"争先恐后"

— Striving to be first and fearing to be last.

大家在公交车站不要争先恐后地挤车。

Neutral

"井然有序"

— In perfect order.

公交车站的排队人群井然有序。

Formal

"司空见惯"

— Common sight.

在公交车站等车是城市里司空见惯的景象。

Neutral

"近在咫尺"

— Very close at hand.

公交车站就在近在咫尺的地方。

Literary

"日复一日"

— Day after day.

他日复一日地在同一个公交车站等车。

Neutral

Easily Confused

公交车站 vs 车站

Too general.

Could mean bus or train. 公交车站 is specific to buses.

我在车站等你 (Could be confusing if there's a train station nearby).

公交车站 vs 站台

Part vs. Whole.

站台 is the platform; 公交车站 is the entire stop.

请在站台上等车。

公交车站 vs 客运站

Type of bus.

客运站 is for inter-city coaches; 公交车站 is for intra-city buses.

我要去上海，得去客运站买票。

公交车站 vs 总站

Location on route.

总站 is the very first or last stop; 公交车站 is any stop.

这路车的总站在哪儿？

公交车站 vs 停靠点

Formal vs. Common.

停靠点 is a technical term for a stopping point; 公交车站 is the common name.

这是一个临时的停靠点。

Sentence Patterns

这是 + 公交车站

这是公交车站。

在 + 公交车站 + Verb

在公交车站等车。

从 + A + 到 + 公交车站

从家到公交车站。

由于 + ... + 公交车站 + ...

由于施工，公交车站关闭。

公交车站 + 象征着 + ...

公交车站象征着城市的流动。

将 + 公交车站 + 视为 + ...

将公交车站视为城市治理的缩影。

公交车站 + 旁边/对面

公交车站对面是超市。

去 + 公交车站 + 怎么走？

去公交车站怎么走？

Word Family

Nouns

公交车

车站

站台

站牌

乘客

Verbs

停靠

等车

上车

下车

换乘

Adjectives

拥挤

准时

偏僻

繁华

现代

地铁

出租车

交通

地图

手机应用

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in urban daily life.

Common Mistakes

我在等公交车站。 → 我在公交车站等车。
You wait for the bus, not the stop itself.
去火车站坐公交车。 → 去公交车站坐公交车。
Fire-car-station (火车站) means train station, not bus stop.
这辆公交车站很大。 → 这个公交车站很大。
辆 is the measure word for vehicles, not stations. Use 个 or 座.
我在公交车站里。 → 我在公交车站。
Unless it's a building, you are 'at' the stop, not 'inside' it.
请在下一站台下车。 → 请在下一站下车。
站台 is the physical platform. Use 站 for the stop itself.

Tips

Break it down

Learn it as 公交 (Public transport) + 车站 (Station). This makes it easier to remember the meaning and tones.

Check the map

Every bus stop has a map. Even if you don't speak Chinese well, you can match the characters for your destination.

Word Order

Always put the location before the action. 'At the bus stop wait,' not 'Wait at the bus stop.'

Tone Accuracy

Practice the 4th tone on 'zhàn'. If it's too flat, people might not realize you are talking about a destination.

Queueing

At many busy 公交车站 in China, people are expected to queue. Follow the crowd to be polite.

Use Apps

Download 'Baidu Maps' or 'Gaode Maps'. They show you exactly where every 公交车站 is and which buses are coming.

Bus Announcements

Listen for '下一站' (Next stop). It's great listening practice for recognizing station names.

Radicals

Notice the '立' (stand) radical in '站'. It helps you remember that a station is a place where vehicles 'stand' or stop.

Asking for help

If you are lost, go to a 公交车站 and show someone your destination on your phone. They will help you find the right bus.

Related Words

Learn '上车' (get on) and '下车' (get off) at the same time as '公交车站'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a GONG (公) ringing to call the users (交) to the vehicle (车) at the station (站).

Visual Association

Visualize a bright red bus pulling up to a modern glass shelter with a big 'BUS' sign in Chinese.

Word Web

Bus Stop Wait Commute City Route Schedule Passenger

Challenge

Try to find three different 公交车站 on a map of Beijing and name the streets they are on.

Word Origin

Composed of 公共 (public) + 交通 (transportation) + 车站 (station). The term evolved as China modernized its urban infrastructure.

Original meaning: A designated place for public vehicles to stop.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese).

Cultural Context

Be aware that during rush hour, personal space at a bus stop may be much smaller than what Westerners are used to.

In the UK/US, bus stops are often just a pole; in China, they are more likely to be substantial shelters with maps.

The movie 'Big Shot's Funeral' features urban Chinese transit. The song 'Station' (车站) by Li Jian. Common setting in 'Slice of Life' manhua.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Commuting

赶公交
等车
上班
迟到

Asking Directions

在哪里
怎么走
远不远
过马路

Meeting Friends

几点到
看见你
在那儿等
还没来

Traveling

旅游巴士
站牌
地图
查一下

Weather

躲雨
太热了
有遮阳板
等得辛苦

Conversation Starters

"请问，最近的公交车站怎么走？"

"你通常在哪个公交车站坐车上班？"

"这个公交车站有去火车站的车吗？"

"公交车站的电子屏显示车还有几分钟到？"

"我们要不要在下一个公交车站下车换乘？"

Journal Prompts

描述一下你每天等车的那个公交车站是什么样子的。

你曾经在公交车站遇到过什么有趣的事情吗？

比较一下你家乡的公交车站和中国的公交车站有什么不同。

如果公交车站可以增加一个功能，你希望是什么？

写一段对话，内容是你在公交车站向陌生人问路。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You say '公交车站在哪里？' (Gōngjiāochēzhàn zài nǎlǐ?). It's the most common way to ask for directions to a stop.

Yes, if it's clear you are talking about buses. If you are standing on a street, people will assume you mean the bus stop.

The most common measure word is '个' (gè). Example: '一个公交车站'. For large structures, you can use '座' (zuò).

公交车站 is standard in Mainland China. 巴士站 is more common in Hong Kong, Taiwan, or for long-distance coaches.

Look for the '公交车站牌' (bus stop sign). It lists all the bus numbers and their full routes.

Yes, you can say '公交候车亭' (gōngjiāo hòuchētíng), but most people just refer to the whole thing as the 公交车站.

Yes, every 公交车站 has a specific name, usually based on the nearest cross street or a major landmark.

The phrase is '下一站' (xià yí zhàn) or '下一个公交车站' (xià yí gè gōngjiāochēzhàn).

Generally, yes. Most 公交车站 in Chinese cities are well-lit and located on main roads with CCTV coverage.

Usually, no. You pay on the bus using a card, phone, or coins. Only very large bus terminals have ticket counters.