How Formal Is It?
"我需要一张去北京的单程票。 (Wǒ xūyào yī zhāng qù Běijīng de dān chéng piào.) - I need a one-way ticket to Beijing."
"这是单程还是往返？ (Zhè shì dān chéng háishì wǎngfǎn?) - Is this one-way or round-trip?"
"你买的去程票多少钱？ (Nǐ mǎi de qù chéng piào duōshǎo qián?) - How much was your one-way ticket (going there)?"
"我们这次旅行只有去没有回的票。 (Wǒmen zhè cì lǚxíng zhǐ yǒu qù méi yǒu huí de piào.) - For this trip, we only have tickets to go, not to come back."
"这趟车直达，不用转车。 (Zhè tàng chē zhídá, bù yòng zhuǎn chē.) - This train goes straight there, no transfers needed."
Fun Fact
This word is very straightforward in its construction, combining two common characters to create a new, clear meaning. There aren't many 'fun' linguistic twists, which is often the case with practical, everyday vocabulary in Chinese.
Grammar to Know
Use 单程 (dān chéng) as a noun to refer to a one-way trip or ticket.
我需要一张单程票。(Wǒ xūyào yī zhāng dān chéng piào.) - I need a one-way ticket.
It can be used before nouns like 票 (piào) for ticket, or 旅行 (lǚxíng) for travel.
他买了单程机票去上海。(Tā mǎile dān chéng jīpiào qù Shànghǎi.) - He bought a one-way flight ticket to Shanghai.
When asking if a trip is one-way or round-trip, you can say: 是单程还是往返？(Shì dān chéng háishì wǎngfǎn?)
您要买单程票还是往返票？(Nín yào mǎi dān chéng piào háishì wǎngfǎn piào?) - Do you want to buy a one-way ticket or a round-trip ticket?
You can also use it to describe the nature of a journey, often in contrast with 往返 (wǎngfǎn) meaning round-trip.
这次旅行是单程的，我们不打算回来。(Zhè cì lǚxíng shì dān chéng de, wǒmen bù dǎsuàn huílái.) - This trip is one-way; we don't plan to come back.
In some contexts, it can imply a one-way journey without a return, even if not explicitly stated.
他选择了一条单程的路。(Tā xuǎnzéle yī tiáo dān chéng de lù.) - He chose a one-way path. (Implies no return)
Examples by Level
我需要买一张去北京的单程票。
I need to buy a one-way ticket to Beijing.
This sentence uses '单程票' (one-way ticket) as the object of the verb '买' (to buy).
这次旅行是单程的，我们不打算回来。
This trip is one-way; we don't plan to come back.
'单程的' functions as an adjective modifying '旅行' (trip).
你喜欢单程旅行还是往返旅行？
Do you prefer one-way trips or round trips?
Here, '单程旅行' (one-way trip) is contrasted with '往返旅行' (round trip).
火车票有单程和往返两种选择。
Train tickets have two options: one-way and round trip.
This sentence illustrates the common pairing of '单程' and '往返'.
他只买了单程机票，准备在那里定居。
He only bought a one-way plane ticket, preparing to settle there.
'单程机票' (one-way plane ticket) is the object of '买'.
这条路是单程的，你不能逆行。
This road is one-way; you cannot go against traffic.
Here, '单程的' describes the road, indicating its direction.
我们预订了一辆单程车，直接去机场。
We booked a one-way car, directly to the airport.
'单程车' (one-way car/ride) refers to a ride with a single destination.
如果你不确定回程日期，买单程票更灵活。
If you are not sure about the return date, buying a one-way ticket is more flexible.
This sentence uses '单程票' in a conditional context, highlighting its practical advantage.
Idioms & Expressions
"单程票"
One-way ticket.
我买了一张去北京的单程票。(I bought a one-way ticket to Beijing.)
neutral"单程旅行"
One-way journey/travel.
这次是单程旅行，我们不打算回来。(This is a one-way trip; we don't plan to return.)
neutral"单程航班"
One-way flight.
他预订了明天的单程航班。(He booked a one-way flight for tomorrow.)
neutral"单程路线"
One-way route.
这条路是单程路线，不能掉头。(This is a one-way route; you can't turn around.)
neutral"单程费用"
One-way fare/cost.
单程费用比往返要便宜。(The one-way cost is cheaper than a round trip.)
neutral"单程火车"
One-way train.
我需要买一张去上海的单程火车票。(I need to buy a one-way train ticket to Shanghai.)
neutral"单程汽车"
One-way bus/car journey.
我们坐单程汽车去了机场。(We took a one-way bus to the airport.)
neutral"单程邮件"
One-way mail (sending only).
这封信是单程邮件，不需要回复。(This is one-way mail; no reply is needed.)
neutral"单程通行"
One-way passage/traffic.
这条小巷只允许单程通行。(This alley only allows one-way traffic.)
neutral"单程服务"
One-way service.
我们提供单程机场接送服务。(We provide one-way airport shuttle service.)
neutralWord Family
Nouns
How to Use It
单程 (dānchéng) refers to a one-way trip or one-way travel. It's often used when talking about tickets or journeys where you don't intend to return to your starting point.
For example:
- 我想买一张去北京的单程票。(Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī zhāng qù Běijīng de dānchéng piào.) - I want to buy a one-way ticket to Beijing.
- 这个航班是单程的吗？(Zhège hángbān shì dānchéng de ma?) - Is this flight one-way?
- 你打算单程旅行吗？(Nǐ dǎsuàn dānchéng lǚxíng ma?) - Are you planning a one-way trip?
A common mistake is confusing 单程 (dānchéng) with 'round trip.' The term for a round trip is 往返 (wǎngfǎn). Make sure you use the correct term when booking tickets or discussing travel plans.
Another potential mistake is using 单程 to describe a single path or route that isn't necessarily about travel. While it literally means 'single journey/route,' in common usage, it almost exclusively refers to a one-way trip, especially in the context of transportation tickets.
Word Origin
Comes from '单' (dān, single/one) and '程' (chéng, journey/distance).
Original meaning: The literal combination means 'single journey' or 'one journey'.
Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic, Chinese.Cultural Context
When booking travel in Chinese-speaking regions, you'll frequently encounter '单程票' (dānchéng piào), which means 'one-way ticket'. It's a standard term used in train stations, airports, and bus terminals. Understanding this term is essential for navigating travel arrangements efficiently in China.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Booking plane tickets
- 我想订一张单程票。
- I want to book a one-way ticket.
- 请问有单程航班吗？
- Are there one-way flights available?
- 单程票比往返票贵吗？
- Is a one-way ticket more expensive than a round-trip ticket?
Taking a bus or train
- 我要买一张单程车票。
- I need to buy a one-way bus/train ticket.
- 这个站有单程票吗？
- Is there a one-way ticket for this station?
- 单程大概需要多长时间？
- How long does a one-way trip usually take?
Discussing travel plans
- 我打算进行一次单程旅行。
- I'm planning a one-way trip.
- 你觉得单程旅行怎么样？
- What do you think about one-way travel?
- 这次出差是单程还是往返？
- Is this business trip one-way or round-trip?
Talking about shipping or delivery
- 这是单程运输服务。
- This is a one-way transportation service.
- 包裹可以单程寄送吗？
- Can the package be sent one-way?
- 单程运费是多少？
- How much is the one-way shipping fee?
Explaining directions
- 这条路是单程的，不能回头。
- This road is one-way, you can't turn back.
- 你只能单程通过这个区域。
- You can only go one-way through this area.
- 理解单程路规则很重要。
- It's important to understand one-way road rules.
Conversation Starters
"你最近有没有计划过单程旅行？"
"买飞机票的时候，你会选择单程还是往返？"
"在你的城市，哪些交通工具会提供单程票？"
"你觉得单程旅行有什么好处或坏处？"
"有没有什么地方是你只打算去一次，也就是单程旅行的？"
Journal Prompts
描述一次你曾经经历过的单程旅行，或者你未来想进行的一次单程旅行。
如果你的生活是一次单程旅行，你希望它通向哪里？
写下你对于单程票价通常更贵的看法，并解释可能的原因。
思考一个你必须做出单程决定的情景，你会如何做选择？
用“单程”这个词语，写一个关于告别或新开始的短故事。
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsA one-way trip is "单程" (dānchéng). A round trip is "往返" (wǎngfǎn). So if you're buying a train ticket, you'll see these two options.
You can say: "我要一张去上海的单程票" (Wǒ yào yī zhāng qù Shànghǎi de dānchéng piào). This means, "I want a one-way ticket to Shanghai." 票 (piào) means 'ticket'.
Yes, absolutely. "单程机票" (dānchéng jīpiào) means one-way flight ticket. For example, "我买了一张去北京的单程机票" (Wǒ mǎi le yī zhāng qù Běijīng de dānchéng jīpiào) - "I bought a one-way flight ticket to Beijing."
While it's primarily used for travel (tickets, journeys), its core meaning is 'one way'. You might hear it in contexts like a one-way street, which is "单程路" (dānchénglù). But it's most common for travel.
单 (dān) means 'single' or 'odd'. 程 (chéng) means 'journey' or 'process'. Together, they literally mean 'single journey', which translates to one-way trip.
You can ask: "是单程还是往返？" (Shì dānchéng háishì wǎngfǎn?). This is a very common question when booking travel.
For travel, "单程" is the standard and most commonly used term. While you might encounter "单向" (dānxiàng) meaning 'unidirectional', it's not typically used for travel tickets. Stick with 单程 for trips.
Yes, you can. A one-way street is often called "单行道" (dānhángdào), but you might also see "单程路" (dānchénglù). Both are understood, though "单行道" is more specific for streets.
If you want a one-way ticket, you'd say: "对，单程" (Duì, dānchéng) meaning "Yes, one-way." Or, if you want a round trip, "不，往返" (Bù, wǎngfǎn) meaning "No, round trip."
Try this: "我买单程票." (Wǒ mǎi dānchéng piào.) This means, "I buy a one-way ticket." It's short and clear. 买 (mǎi) means 'to buy'.
Test Yourself 30 questions
我买了一张___票去北京。
To say 'one-way ticket', we use '单程票' (dānchéngpiào).
从上海到广州，你打算买___票吗？
The question asks if you plan to buy a one-way ticket. '单程' (dānchéng) is the correct term for one-way.
因为我只去一次，所以买___票就可以了。
The speaker indicates they are only going once, so a '单程' (dānchéng) or one-way ticket is sufficient.
请问，这张火车票是___的吗？
This sentence asks if the train ticket is 'one-way'. '单程' (dānchéng) is the correct choice here.
我需要一张去学校的___票。
If you only need to go to school, you need a '单程' (dānchéng) or one-way ticket.
他买了一张飞往巴黎的___机票。
To describe a one-way flight, '单程' (dānchéng) is the appropriate word.
Which of these phrases means 'one-way ticket'?
单程票 (dānchéngpiào) directly translates to 'one-way ticket.' 往返票 (wǎngfǎnpiào) and 来回票 (láihuípiào) mean 'round-trip ticket.'
You are at a train station and you only want to go to the next city. What kind of ticket should you ask for?
If you only want to go to the next city and not return, you need a 单程票 (dānchéngpiào), a one-way ticket.
Which sentence correctly uses '单程'?
去 (qù) means 'to go' and is the most natural verb to use when stating your destination for a one-way trip.
If you buy a '单程' ticket, you plan to return to your starting point on the same ticket.
单程 (dānchéng) means one-way. A single ticket for a one-way trip does not include a return journey.
A '单程' ticket is often cheaper than a '往返票' (round-trip ticket) for the same route.
Often, a round-trip ticket (往返票) is cheaper than buying two separate one-way tickets (单程票) for the same route.
You would use '单程' if you are moving to a new city and don't plan to return to your old one.
If you are moving and have no plans to return, a one-way ticket (单程) is what you would need.
This sentence means 'He bought a one-way ticket.' The correct order is subject (他), verb (买), particle (了), quantifier phrase (一张), and object (单程票).
This sentence means 'I need a one-way ticket to Beijing.' The structure is subject (我), verb (需要), quantifier phrase (一张), and then the descriptive phrase (去北京的) modifying the noun (单程票).
This sentence means 'This train ticket is one-way.' The structure is subject (这个火车票), verb (是), and then the descriptive adjective (单程的).
Choose the most appropriate synonym for "单程票" (one-way ticket) in the context of international travel.
While '去程票' (outbound ticket) might seem similar, '单程机票' (one-way air ticket) is the most precise and commonly used term for a one-way ticket in the context of air travel.
Which of the following scenarios would most likely require a "单程" (one-way) arrangement?
An emigration journey typically implies a permanent move without an immediate planned return, thus necessitating a one-way arrangement.
If someone says they bought a "单程票" (one-way ticket) for a flight, what does that imply about their travel plans?
A one-way ticket often suggests a lack of immediate return plans, implying a long-term stay or permanent relocation.
Buying a "单程票" (one-way ticket) is always cheaper than a "往返票" (round-trip ticket) for the same destination.
This is often false. Airlines sometimes offer better deals on round-trip tickets to encourage return travel. One-way tickets can sometimes be more expensive.
You can use "单程" (one-way) to describe a one-way street.
Yes, '单程' can be used to describe a one-way street, as in '单程路' (one-way road).
If you are planning to visit multiple cities and then return home, you should always book a "单程票" (one-way ticket) to each city.
This is incorrect. For a multi-city trip with a return to the origin, it's often more practical and cost-effective to book an open-jaw or multi-city round-trip ticket, rather than multiple one-way tickets.
This sentence means 'Book a one-way ticket to Paris.' The order follows a typical Chinese sentence structure: Verb + Destination + Noun.
This sentence means 'I only need a one-way train ticket.' The adverbs '只' (only) typically precede the verb or the part of the sentence they modify.
This sentence means 'He bought a one-way plane ticket to Shanghai.' The phrase '到上海的' (to Shanghai's) acts as an adjective describing the type of ticket.
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
Example
我想买一张去北京的单程票。
