Explanation at your level:
At the A1 level, you should know that 驾驶 means 'to drive'. Use it when talking about cars. For example, 'I want to learn to 驾驶 a car.'
At the A2 level, you can use 驾驶 in more specific situations. It is common to see it on signs or in school. 'He is learning 驾驶 at the school.'
At the B1 level, you understand that 驾驶 is more formal than '开车'. You can use it in professional contexts, like 'The company requires a valid 驾驶 license.'
At the B2 level, you can use 驾驶 to discuss technology, such as '自动驾驶 cars are changing the future of transport.' It sounds much more sophisticated than basic verbs.
At the C1 level, you can use 驾驶 in complex sentences. You might discuss the ethics of '自动驾驶' systems or the legal implications of '酒后驾驶' in a formal essay or debate.
At the C2 level, you appreciate the nuance of 驾驶. You can use it metaphorically or in literary contexts, describing someone '驾驶 their career' or '驾驶 the course of history' to show deep mastery.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 驾驶 means to drive.
- It is a formal term.
- Used for cars, planes, and ships.
- Commonly used in 驾驶执照.
The word 驾驶 (jià shǐ) is a formal and precise term used to describe the act of operating a vehicle. While the everyday word for driving a car is often '开车', 驾驶 carries a slightly more professional or technical nuance.
Think of it as the difference between 'driving' and 'piloting'. It is the standard term used in legal documents, driver's education, and when discussing the operation of complex machinery like airplanes or ships. Using this word shows you have a command over the language that goes beyond basic conversational skills.
The character 驾 (jià) originally referred to the act of yoking horses to a carriage or chariot in ancient China. It carries the historical weight of animal-drawn transportation, which was the primary mode of travel for centuries.
The character 驶 (shǐ) relates to the speed and movement of a vessel or vehicle. Historically, it was often associated with sailing or moving quickly across water. When combined, 驾驶 evolved to encompass the modern mechanical era, transitioning from horse-drawn carriages to the internal combustion engines we use today.
You will most commonly see 驾驶 used in formal settings like 驾驶执照 (driver's license) or 驾驶员 (driver/pilot). It is the preferred term in official manuals and news reports about traffic safety.
While you might say 'I am driving to the store' (我在开车去商店), you would use 驾驶 when talking about the skill itself, such as 'He has excellent 驾驶 skills' (他有优秀的驾驶技术). It is a versatile word that applies to cars, planes, and even spaceships.
驾轻就熟 (jià qīng jiù shú): Literally 'driving a light carriage on a familiar road'. It means to do something easily because you have done it many times before.
并驾齐驱 (bìng jià qí qū): Literally 'driving side-by-side'. It means to keep pace with someone or to be equal in ability.
驾驶舱 (jià shǐ cāng): The cockpit of a plane or ship.
自动驾驶 (zì dòng jià shǐ): Autonomous driving or self-driving technology.
酒后驾驶 (jiǔ hòu jià shǐ): Driving under the influence (DUI).
In terms of grammar, 驾驶 functions as a transitive verb. It is often followed by a noun representing the vehicle, such as 驾驶汽车 (driving a car). It can also function as a noun phrase in compounds.
Pronunciation-wise, 'jià' has a falling-rising tone, while 'shǐ' has a falling tone. Practice the transition between the two to sound more natural. It does not have plural forms as it is a non-count action verb.
Fun Fact
The character 驾 still contains the element for 'horse'.
Pronunciation Guide
Standard Mandarin tones
Standard Mandarin tones
Common Errors
- Mixing up tones
- Mispronouncing 'sh'
- Dropping the second syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize
Requires stroke practice
Standard tones
Clear sounds
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb-Object structure
驾驶汽车
Formal vs Informal
驾驶 vs 开车
Compound nouns
驾驶员
Examples by Level
我会驾驶汽车。
I can drive a car.
Subject + can + verb + object.
他正在驾驶。
He is driving.
Present continuous.
驾驶很难。
Driving is hard.
Verb as subject.
我想学习驾驶。
I want to learn to drive.
Verb + verb.
驾驶是重要的。
Driving is important.
Adjective usage.
请停止驾驶。
Please stop driving.
Imperative.
他驾驶很快。
He drives fast.
Adverb usage.
驾驶很快乐。
Driving is fun.
Simple sentence.
他在学习驾驶技术。
驾驶员需要休息。
这个驾驶舱很大。
不要在驾驶时看手机。
他有十年驾驶经验。
驾驶考试很难。
我们要去驾驶学校。
驾驶汽车需要执照。
自动驾驶汽车是未来趋势。
他因为酒后驾驶被罚款。
驾驶飞机的难度很高。
请保持驾驶专注。
他是一名专业的驾驶员。
驾驶习惯决定安全。
我喜欢驾驶长途车。
驾驶模拟器很有趣。
公司正在测试自动驾驶系统。
他展现了极高的驾驶天赋。
驾驶员必须遵守交通法规。
这辆车的驾驶体验很棒。
他被禁止驾驶机动车。
驾驶这艘船需要经验。
驾驶技术是他的强项。
自动驾驶技术面临挑战。
该系统旨在辅助驾驶员决策。
驾驶员的疲劳是事故主因。
自动驾驶技术引发了伦理讨论。
他驾驶着公司走向成功。
驾驶舱内的仪表盘很复杂。
驾驶机动车需要高度集中。
我们探讨了驾驶行为的心理学。
驾驶执照的获取门槛提高了。
他驾驶着这艘邮轮穿越大洋。
自动驾驶的普及将重塑城市结构。
驾驶员的本能反应救了乘客。
这种驾驶模式非常节能。
他正在驾驶一场关于创新的变革。
驾驶技术在极端环境下至关重要。
驾驶员的职业素养受到考验。
我们正在驾驶科技的浪潮。
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"驾轻就熟"
To do something easily due to experience
对他来说，这件事驾轻就熟。
formal"并驾齐驱"
To keep pace with
两家公司并驾齐驱。
formal"驾驭自如"
To have perfect control
他驾驶汽车驾驭自如。
neutral"驾驶员之梦"
A dream of driving
这是每个驾驶员之梦。
literary"驾驶人生"
Steering one's life
他正在驾驶人生。
literary"驾驶风暴"
Navigating through trouble
他驾驶风暴前行。
literaryEasily Confused
Both mean drive
Formality
开车 is casual.
Both involve transport
Vehicle type
骑车 for bikes.
Both mean operate
Scope
操纵 for machines.
N/A
N/A
N/A
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 驾驶 + Object
他驾驶汽车。
Subject + 学习 + 驾驶
他学习驾驶。
Subject + 拥有 + 驾驶 + 执照
他拥有驾驶执照。
Subject + 擅长 + 驾驶
他擅长驾驶。
Subject + 被禁止 + 驾驶
他被禁止驾驶。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
驾驶 is only for vehicles.
驾驶 is formal, 开车 is casual.
Needs an object usually.
Bikes use 骑.
Check the radicals.
Tips
Visual Trick
Think of a horse pulling a car.
Formal vs Casual
Use 驾驶 in reports, 开车 with friends.
Driving Culture
Driving is a major skill in modern China.
Verb Object
Always keep an object after 驾驶.
Tone Practice
Focus on the falling tone of shǐ.
Don't use for walking
Only for vehicles.
Etymology
The character 驾 is ancient.
Flashcards
Use with 驾驶执照.
Professionalism
Use it on your resume.
Compound Words
Learn 驾驶员 first.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Horse (驾) on the road (驶).
Visual Association
A chariot turning into a modern car.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe your dream car.
Word Origin
Chinese
Original meaning: Yoking horses to a carriage
Cultural Context
None
Used similarly to 'operate' or 'pilot' in formal contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At the DMV
- 驾驶执照
- 驾驶考试
- 申请驾驶
At work
- 驾驶员
- 驾驶技术
- 安全驾驶
In technology
- 自动驾驶
- 驾驶系统
- 驾驶模拟
In news
- 酒后驾驶
- 疲劳驾驶
- 驾驶事故
Conversation Starters
"Do you have a driver's license?"
"Is driving easy for you?"
"What do you think about self-driving cars?"
"Have you ever been to driving school?"
"What is the most important skill for a driver?"
Journal Prompts
Describe your first time driving.
Why is safe driving important?
What is the future of driving?
How has driving changed your life?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsThey mean the same, but 驾驶 is more formal.
No, use 骑.
It can be used as a noun phrase in compounds.
jià shǐ.
In cars, planes, and ships.
Yes, very common in formal writing.
No.
Yes, 驾驶火车.
Test Yourself
我正在___汽车。
驾驶 means to drive.
Which is formal?
驾驶 is the formal term.
驾驶 can be used for walking.
It's for vehicles.
Word
Meaning
Matching terms.
Subject + can + verb + object.
Score: /5
Summary
驾驶 is the formal word for driving, essential for professional and technical communication.
- 驾驶 means to drive.
- It is a formal term.
- Used for cars, planes, and ships.
- Commonly used in 驾驶执照.
Visual Trick
Think of a horse pulling a car.
Formal vs Casual
Use 驾驶 in reports, 开车 with friends.
Driving Culture
Driving is a major skill in modern China.
Verb Object
Always keep an object after 驾驶.
Example
他已经考取了驾驶执照。
