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B2 noun 10 min read

停车费

tingche fei

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 停车费 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 停车费 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to recognize '停车费' (tíng chē fèi) as a single unit meaning 'parking money' or 'parking fee'. You will likely use it in very simple sentences when traveling. The most important thing is to know that '费' means money you have to pay for a service. You might hear a guard say '十块钱' (ten yuan) and you can ask '停车费吗？' (Parking fee?). At this stage, focus on the 'pay' + 'parking fee' structure. You don't need to worry about complex grammar, just remember that the word order is the same as in English: Parking + Fee. If you are driving a rental car or taking a taxi and the driver stops at a gate, this is the word you will hear. It's a survival word for anyone using a vehicle in a city.

At the A2 level, you can start using '停车费' in basic sentences with verbs like '付' (pay) or '有' (have). You should be able to ask how much the fee is using '多少钱' (how much money). For example: '这里的停车费是多少钱？' (How much is the parking fee here?). You also begin to learn adjectives like '贵' (expensive) and '便宜' (cheap) to describe the fee. You might say '这里的停车费太贵了' (The parking fee here is too expensive). You are starting to understand that '停车' is the action and '费' is the cost. You might also encounter '免费' (free), which is a very useful word combined with parking. Learning to recognize this on signs will save you money! You can also use '交' (jiāo) which is a common way to say 'hand over' the fee.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '停车费' in more varied contexts, such as shopping or going to a restaurant. You can understand phrases like '凭消费小票免停车费' (waive parking fees with a receipt). You start to use more specific verbs like '收取' (collect/charge) and '减免' (reduce/waive). You can also talk about the '标准' (standard/rate) of the fee. For example: '不同地段的停车费标准不一样' (The parking fee standards are different in different areas). You understand that '费' is a suffix used for many types of bills (water, electricity, etc.) and can see the pattern. You can also handle situations where you need to ask for a receipt (发票) for your parking fee. This level is about moving from basic survival to navigating daily life logistics with confidence.

At the B2 level, you can discuss '停车费' as a social and economic topic. You can participate in a conversation about why parking fees are rising in big cities or how they affect traffic congestion. You can use the word in complex sentences, such as '政府通过提高停车费来鼓励市民使用公共交通' (The government encourages citizens to use public transportation by increasing parking fees). You are familiar with digital payment methods and can explain how to '扫码支付停车费' (scan a code to pay the parking fee). You also understand the difference between '停车费' and related terms like '车位费' (space fee) or '管理费' (management fee). You can read news articles or policy updates that mention parking regulations and understand the implications for urban planning.

At the C1 level, your use of '停车费' is nuanced and professional. You can use it in business discussions, legal contexts, or academic debates about urbanism. You might discuss the '价格杠杆' (price lever) of parking fees in the context of '城市治理' (urban governance). You understand formal terminology like '停车费征收标准' (standards for the collection of parking fees) or '违规收取停车费' (illegally collecting parking fees). You can express yourself with sophisticated vocabulary, discussing the '阶梯式计费' (tiered pricing) of parking. You are also aware of regional variations in terminology and can adapt your speech if you are in Hong Kong or Taiwan. You can write formal complaints or reports regarding parking fee disputes, using precise and authoritative language.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '停车费' and its place in the Chinese linguistic and cultural landscape. You can use the term in high-level socio-economic analysis, discussing how parking fees intersect with '土地出让金' (land transfer fees) and '城市可持续发展' (sustainable urban development). You can appreciate irony or humor involving the word in literature or social media. You understand the historical evolution of the term from the early days of the PRC to the current 'smart city' era. You can debate the ethics of '公共空间私有化' (privatization of public space) through the lens of parking charges. Your command of the word is so complete that you can use it effortlessly in any register, from slangy complaints on Weibo to formal policy white papers.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

停车费 in 30 Seconds

停车费 means parking fee, a daily necessity for drivers in Chinese cities.
It is a compound of 'stop' (停), 'car' (车), and 'fee' (费).
Commonly paid via mobile apps like WeChat or Alipay in modern China.
Can be used formally in policy or informally in daily complaints about costs.

In the rapidly urbanizing landscape of modern China, the word 停车费 (tíng chē fèi) has evolved from a rare bureaucratic term into a daily consideration for millions of citizens. At its most literal level, it is a compound noun formed by three distinct characters: 停 (tíng), meaning to stop or pause; 车 (chē), meaning vehicle or car; and 费 (fèi), meaning fee, cost, or expense. Together, they form the standard term for a parking fee.

Linguistic Composition: The structure is a classic Chinese noun-phrase construction where the action (parking a car) acts as a modifier for the noun (fee). In linguistics, this is often referred to as a purpose-based compound. Unlike English, where 'parking' can be a gerund, in Chinese, '停车' functions as a cohesive verbal unit that describes the state of the vehicle being stationary in a designated spot.
Socio-Economic Context: As China transitioned from a 'kingdom of bicycles' to the world's largest automobile market, the management of urban space became a critical issue. In Tier-1 cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, 停车费 is not just a payment; it is a point of social negotiation. High fees are often used as a policy tool to discourage private car use in congested city centers. For a learner, understanding this word provides a window into the logistical reality of Chinese urban life.

现在的城市里，停车费涨得比油价还快。 (In modern cities, parking fees are rising faster than gas prices.)

The word is ubiquitous in both physical and digital spaces. You will see it on large blue signs at the entrance of shopping malls, printed on small thermal receipts handed out by attendants in reflective vests, and most commonly today, on the screens of mobile payment apps like WeChat Pay and Alipay. When you scan a QR code at a parking exit, the amount displayed is your 停车费. It is a neutral term, neither formal nor informal, making it safe for use in all contexts from a legal document to a casual chat with a friend about the high cost of living.

如果您在商场消费满两百元，可以免除三小时的停车费。 (If you spend over 200 yuan in the mall, you can waive three hours of parking fees.)

Furthermore, the word is often associated with the 'sharing economy' and 'smart cities'. Many apps now allow users to 'pre-pay' or 'auto-pay' their 停车费 using license plate recognition technology. This technological layer means that while the word itself is old, its application is at the cutting edge of Chinese digital life. Whether you are arguing with a security guard about an overcharge or simply looking for the 'payment' button on your phone, this is the term you need.

Regional Variations: While '停车费' is standard across the Mandarin-speaking world, in Hong Kong and Macau, you might encounter '泊车费' (bó chē fèi), which uses the character '泊' (to moor or park). However, '停车费' is universally understood and remains the dominant term in Mainland China and Taiwan.

Using 停车费 correctly requires an understanding of common verbs that pair with it. The most common verb is 付 (fù) or 支付 (zhī fù), meaning 'to pay'. In casual speech, people often use 交 (jiāo), which implies 'handing over' or 'submitting' the payment to an authority or system.

别忘了在出口处交停车费。 (Don't forget to pay the parking fee at the exit.)

Another essential verb is 收 (shōu) or 收取 (shōu qǔ), meaning 'to collect' or 'to charge'. This is used from the perspective of the parking lot owner or the automated system. For instance, a sign might say '本停车场按小时收取停车费' (This parking lot charges parking fees by the hour).

Quantifying the Fee: When discussing the amount, we use adjectives like 贵 (guì - expensive), 便宜 (piányi - cheap), or 合理 (hélǐ - reasonable). You can also use the verb 免 (miǎn) or 免除 (miǎn chú) to indicate that the fee is waived or free.

这家酒店为住客提供免费停车，不需要付任何停车费。 (This hotel provides free parking for guests; there's no need to pay any parking fees.)

In more complex sentence structures, 停车费 can be the subject of a sentence describing urban policy. For example, '提高停车费是缓解交通拥堵的一种手段' (Increasing parking fees is a means to alleviate traffic congestion). Here, the noun phrase is treated as a singular concept in a formal debate.

我刚才用手机扫码付了十五块钱的停车费。 (I just scanned the code with my phone and paid fifteen yuan in parking fees.)

Finally, consider the use of the word in a negative sense. If someone is complaining about '停车费太高' (parking fees are too high), they are often expressing a broader frustration with the cost of city living. In business contexts, '停车费' is an operating expense that must be accounted for in logistics and delivery services.

If you are in a car in China, you will hear 停车费 everywhere. The most common place is at the exit of a '停车场' (tíng chē chǎng - parking lot). As you approach the barrier, a computerized voice might announce: '请支付停车费十元' (Please pay the parking fee of ten yuan). This synthesized voice is a staple of modern Chinese urban soundscapes.

The Mall Environment: In high-end shopping malls, you will hear announcements over the PA system reminding customers to validate their parking tickets. A common phrase is '请到服务台凭消费小票兑换停车费减免' (Please go to the service desk with your receipt to redeem parking fee discounts). Here, the word is part of a consumer transaction.

保安大叔大声喊道：“这儿不能随便停，要收停车费的！” (The security guard shouted, "You can't just park here, there's a parking fee!")

In residential areas, particularly older neighborhoods where parking is scarce, you might hear neighbors arguing about '停车费' increases or the lack of available spots despite paying a '月租停车费' (monthly rental parking fee). It becomes a topic of community gossip and local governance.

On the news, you will hear the word in reports about municipal regulations. For example, a news anchor might say, '市政府宣布将从下月起调整市中心区域的停车费标准' (The city government announced it will adjust the parking fee standards for the downtown area starting next month). In this context, it is a formal term of public policy.

他在朋友圈抱怨说：“去吃个饭，停车费竟然比饭钱还贵！” (He complained on WeChat Moments: "I went for a meal, and the parking fee was actually more expensive than the food!")

Finally, in the professional world of logistics and ride-hailing (like Didi), drivers often discuss whether the '停车费' is included in the fare or if the passenger needs to pay it separately. This is a common point of clarification at the end of a trip.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 停车费 is confusing it with 罚款 (fá kuǎn), which means 'fine' or 'penalty'. If you park illegally on the street and get a ticket from the police, that is a 罚款, not a 停车费. A '停车费' is a legitimate charge for a service provided (a parking space), whereas a '罚款' is a punishment for breaking the law.

Confusion with 'Parking' as a Verb: English speakers often try to say 'park fee' or 'parking's fee'. Remember that in Chinese, nouns are often just placed together. Do not add '的' (de) between '停车' and '费' unless you are specifically emphasizing 'the fee *of* parking' in a very formal or poetic sense. In 99% of cases, it is simply '停车费'.

Incorrect: 我付了停车的费。
Correct: 我付了停车费。

Another mistake is using the wrong measure word. While '费' itself usually doesn't need a measure word when referring to the concept, when referring to a specific instance of payment, people sometimes get confused. You can say '一笔停车费' (yī bǐ - a sum/transaction of parking fee). Do not use '一个' (yī gè) unless you are referring to a specific fee *type*.

Learners also sometimes forget the tone of the characters. 停 (tíng - 2nd tone) and 车 (chē - 1st tone) and 费 (fèi - 4th tone). Mispronouncing '费' as 'fēi' (1st tone) might make it sound like 'parking fly', which would be very confusing! Always ensure the sharp falling 4th tone on '费' to indicate a cost.

Mistake: 这个停车场不收钱。
Better: 这个停车场不收停车费。 (While '收钱' is okay, '收停车费' is more precise.)

Finally, be careful with the word '免费' (miǎn fèi - free). While you can say '免费停车' (free parking), you wouldn't usually say '免费停车费' because that's redundant (it means 'free parking fee'). Just say '停车是免费的' (Parking is free) or '免收停车费' (Waive the parking fee).

While 停车费 is the standard term, there are several related words that cover different aspects of vehicle-related costs. Understanding the nuances between them will make your Chinese sound more natural and precise.

停车费 vs. 泊车费 (bó chē fèi): 停车费 is the standard term in Mainland China. 泊车费 is more common in Hong Kong and is sometimes used in high-end hotels in the Mainland that offer 'valet parking' (代客泊车 - dài kè bó chē). If you see '泊车', think of it as a slightly more formal or 'classic' way of saying 'parking'.
停车费 vs. 延时费 (yán shí fèi): 延时费 refers to an 'overtime fee'. If you have already paid for two hours of parking but stay for three, the extra charge for that third hour might be specifically called an '延时费' in some automated systems, though it is still technically a type of 停车费.

如果您超时，系统会自动计算延时费。 (If you exceed the time, the system will automatically calculate the overtime fee.)

There is also the term 车位费 (chē wèi fèi). This specifically refers to the fee for the 'parking space' itself. This is often used in the context of real estate or long-term rentals. For example, if you rent an apartment, you might pay a '物业费' (property management fee) and a separate '车位费' to use a specific designated spot. In contrast, '停车费' usually implies a temporary or transactional charge.

Another related term is 过路费 (guò lù fèi). This is the 'toll' you pay on highways (高速公路). While both are vehicle fees, they are never used interchangeably. Finally, 燃油费 (rán yóu fèi) refers to the 'fuel surcharge' often seen in taxi receipts or airline tickets. Knowing these distinctions prevents confusion when looking at a bill or receipt in China.

这家商场的停车费标准是每小时十元。 (The parking fee standard for this mall is ten yuan per hour.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, there were 'stabling fees' for horses at inns, which are the spiritual ancestors of today's 停车费.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈpɑːkɪŋ fiː/

US /ˈpɑrkɪŋ fi/

In Mandarin, the stress is relatively even, but the 4th tone on '费' (fèi) gives it a strong final emphasis.

Rhymes With

名声 (míng shēng) 事情 (shì qíng) 和平 (hé píng) 心情 (xīn qíng) 公平 (gōng píng) 水平 (shuǐ píng) 对等 (duì děng) 费用 (fèi yòng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '停' (tíng) as 'tǐng' (3rd tone).
Pronouncing '车' (chē) as 'chě' (3rd tone).
Pronouncing '费' (fèi) as 'fēi' (1st tone).
Slurring the 'ng' in 'tíng'.
Failing to distinguish 'f' in 'fèi' from 'h' sounds in some dialects.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Characters are common and easy to recognize once learned.

Writing 3/5

The character '费' has many strokes and requires practice.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but tones must be clear.

Listening 2/5

Very common in urban environments and easy to pick out.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

停 (stop) 车 (car) 费 (fee) 钱 (money) 付 (pay)

Learn Next

停车场 (parking lot) 发票 (receipt) 免费 (free) 扫码 (scan code) 车位 (parking space)

Advanced

拥堵费 (congestion charge) 物业管理 (property management) 价格杠杆 (price lever) 智慧交通 (smart traffic)

Grammar to Know

Noun Suffix '费'

电费 (Electricity), 水费 (Water), 话费 (Phone bill).

Verb '收' for charging

他们收我五十块钱。

Resultative '过' for past action

我付过停车费了。

Measure Word '笔' for sums

这一笔费用。

Conditional '如果...就'

如果不付停车费，就不能出场。

Examples by Level

我要付停车费。

I need to pay the parking fee.

Subject + Verb + Object structure.

停车费五块钱。

The parking fee is five yuan.

Direct statement of price.

这里有停车费吗？

Is there a parking fee here?

Basic 'you' (to have) question.

我不交停车费。

I don't pay the parking fee.

Negative 'bu' + verb.

停车费很便宜。

The parking fee is very cheap.

Adjective phrase with 'hen'.

那是停车费。

That is the parking fee.

Demonstrative 'na' + 'shi'.

请付停车费。

Please pay the parking fee.

Polite 'qing' + verb.

停车费是多少？

How much is the parking fee?

Question with 'duoshao'.

这里的停车费太贵了，我们走吧。

The parking fee here is too expensive, let's go.

Use of 'tai...le' for emphasis.

你可以用手机付停车费。

You can use your phone to pay the parking fee.

Instrumental 'yong' + object + verb.

我忘了给停车费。

I forgot to give the parking fee.

Verb 'wang' + resultative.

这家超市免停车费。

This supermarket waives parking fees.

Verb 'mian' (to exempt).

停车费每小时三元。

The parking fee is three yuan per hour.

Use of 'mei' (every) + measure word.

请给我停车费的发票。

Please give me a receipt for the parking fee.

Double object 'gei' + person + thing.

我们在哪儿交停车费？

Where do we pay the parking fee?

Question with 'na'er'.

停车费已经付过了。

The parking fee has already been paid.

Aspect marker 'guo' + 'le'.

如果你在商场买东西，可以抵扣停车费。

If you buy things in the mall, you can offset the parking fee.

Conditional 'ruguo...dehua'.

这个停车场的停车费是按次收取的。

The parking fee at this lot is charged per visit.

Passive/Instrumental 'an' (according to).

由于停车费上涨，很多人选择坐地铁。

Due to the rise in parking fees, many people choose to take the subway.

Causal 'youyu' (due to).

请问停车费可以刷卡吗？

Excuse me, can the parking fee be paid by card?

Auxiliary verb 'keyi' (can).

他因为没交停车费被保安拦住了。

He was stopped by the security guard because he didn't pay the parking fee.

Passive 'bei' construction.

你需要先扫码，然后才能付停车费。

You need to scan the code first, then you can pay the parking fee.

Sequential 'xian...ranhou'.

停车费的标准通常公示在入口处。

The parking fee standards are usually posted at the entrance.

Adverb 'tongchang' (usually).

这笔停车费包含在房租里了。

This parking fee is included in the rent.

Verb 'baohan' (include).

为了缓解交通压力，市区提高了停车费。

To alleviate traffic pressure, the downtown area increased parking fees.

Purpose clause 'weile'.

停车费的电子化支付大大提高了出场效率。

Electronic payment of parking fees has greatly improved exit efficiency.

Nominalization of the verb phrase.

有些私人停车场会乱收停车费，要注意。

Some private parking lots charge parking fees haphazardly; be careful.

Adverb 'luan' (recklessly/haphazardly).

停车费已经成为城市车主的一项沉重负担。

Parking fees have become a heavy burden for urban car owners.

Metaphorical use of 'fudan' (burden).

你可以通过关注公众号来减免停车费。

You can reduce parking fees by following the official account.

Method 'tongguo' (through).

停车费的收入将用于维护停车设施。

The income from parking fees will be used to maintain parking facilities.

Future intent 'jiang' (will).

尽管停车费很高，这里的车位依然供不应求。

Despite high parking fees, parking spaces here are still in short supply.

Concessive 'jinguan' (although).

停车费的计费方式有按时和按次两种。

There are two types of parking fee calculation methods: by time and by visit.

Classification structure.

实施差别化停车费政策是引导绿色出行的重要举措。

Implementing differentiated parking fee policies is an important measure to guide green travel.

Formal academic vocabulary.

停车费定价应充分考虑地段、时段及供需关系。

Parking fee pricing should fully consider location, time period, and supply-demand relationship.

Formal auxiliary 'ying' (should).

部分地段的停车费已达到每小时三十元的高位。

Parking fees in some areas have reached a high of thirty yuan per hour.

Use of 'gaowei' (high level).

停车费的透明化公示有助于减少价格纠纷。

Transparent disclosure of parking fees helps reduce price disputes.

Nominalization with 'hua' (ization).

通过价格杠杆调节停车费，可以有效优化资源配置。

Adjusting parking fees through price levers can effectively optimize resource allocation.

Metaphorical economic language.

业主委员会对小区停车费的涨价方案提出了质疑。

The homeowners' committee raised questions about the plan to increase parking fees in the compound.

Formal subject 'yezhu weiyuanhui'.

停车费征收过程中存在的漏洞亟待完善。

Loopholes in the parking fee collection process urgently need to be improved.

Formal adverb 'jidai' (urgently need).

该区域的停车费标准与其商业地位相匹配。

The parking fee standards in this area match its commercial status.

Formal verb 'xiang pipei' (to match).

在寸土寸金的大都市，停车费已然成为一种稀缺资源的租金。

In a metropolis where land is at a premium, parking fees have already become a rent for a scarce resource.

Idiomatic 'cuntujunjin' and literary 'yiran'.

停车费的波动往往折射出城市化进程中的空间博弈。

Fluctuations in parking fees often reflect the spatial power struggle in the process of urbanization.

Metaphorical 'zheshe' (reflect) and 'boyi' (game theory/struggle).

关于停车费是否应归全体业主所有的法学争论从未停止。

Legal debates about whether parking fees should belong to all homeowners have never ceased.

Complex clausal subject.

停车费的征收不仅仅是经济行为，更是社会治理的微观体现。

The collection of parking fees is not just an economic act, but also a micro-manifestation of social governance.

Correlative 'bujinjin...gengshi'.

智能停车系统的普及使得停车费的流向更加可追溯。

The popularization of smart parking systems makes the flow of parking fees more traceable.

Causative 'shide' (make/cause).

由于缺乏有效监管，部分路段的停车费陷入了‘乱收费’的泥潭。

Due to a lack of effective supervision, parking fees on some road sections have fallen into the quagmire of 'arbitrary charges'.

Metaphorical 'nitan' (quagmire).

停车费的高低直接关联到城市中心区的活力与可达性。

The level of parking fees is directly linked to the vitality and accessibility of the city center.

Formal link 'guanlian dao'.

在共享经济的视角下，停车费的本质正在发生微妙的异化。

From the perspective of the sharing economy, the essence of parking fees is undergoing a subtle alienation.

Philosophical/Sociological 'yihua' (alienation).

Common Collocations

付停车费

交停车费

免停车费

收停车费

停车费贵

停车费标准

电子停车费

减免停车费

停车费发票

按时收停车费

Common Phrases

停车费怎么算？

— How is the parking fee calculated?

师傅，这里的停车费怎么算？

免停车费优惠

— Parking fee discount/waiver offer.

商场正在搞免停车费优惠。

停车费自理

— Parking fee is at one's own expense.

本次活动停车费自理。

停车费太离谱

— The parking fee is outrageous.

这儿的停车费太离谱了！

月租停车费

— Monthly rental parking fee.

月租停车费比散收便宜。

停车费涨价

— Parking fee increase.

听说下个月停车费要涨价。

扫码付停车费

— Scan code to pay parking fee.

出口有二维码，扫码付停车费。

停车费发票

— Parking fee receipt.

我需要停车费发票报销。

临时停车费

— Temporary parking fee.

临时停车费比较贵。

固定停车费

— Fixed parking fee.

我们小区是固定停车费。

Often Confused With

停车费 vs 罚款

Fines for illegal parking. 停车费 is for legal parking.

停车费 vs 车费

Usually refers to taxi or bus fare. 停车费 is specifically for parking.

停车费 vs 过路费

Tolls for roads/highways. 停车费 is for staying in a lot.

Idioms & Expressions

"寸土寸金"

— Land is extremely expensive; often used to explain high parking fees.

这地方寸土寸金，停车费自然贵。

Literary/Common

"名目繁多"

— A multitude of names/categories; used when there are many types of fees.

这里的费用名目繁多，包括停车费、管理费等。

Formal

"供不应求"

— Supply falls short of demand; why parking fees are high.

车位供不应求，导致停车费飞涨。

Neutral

"水涨船高"

— When the river rises, the boat goes up; used when parking fees rise with other costs.

地价涨了，停车费也水涨船高。

Common

"入不敷出"

— Income cannot cover expenses; used when parking fees are too much for a budget.

每月的停车费让我入不敷出。

Neutral

"理所当然"

— Goes without saying; used to justify a fee.

在市中心交停车费是理所当然的。

Neutral

"明码标价"

— Clearly marked prices.

停车场必须明码标价收取停车费。

Neutral

"乱收费用"

— Arbitrary/illegal charging of fees.

我们要举报这种乱收停车费的行为。

Common

"斤斤计较"

— To haggle over every penny; used when arguing over a small fee.

别为了几块钱停车费就斤斤计较。

Informal

"不可思议"

— Unbelievable; used for shocking fees.

这里的停车费贵得不可思议。

Common

Easily Confused

停车费 vs 车位费

Both involve paying for a car spot.

停车费 is usually transactional/short-term; 车位费 is often for long-term rental or purchase of a specific spot.

我付了停车费 (temporary). 我每个月交车位费 (permanent).

停车费 vs 管理费

Sometimes parking is included in management fees.

管理费 is a broad property fee; 停车费 is specific to the vehicle.

物业费包含停车费。

停车费 vs 燃油费

Both are car-related fees.

燃油费 is for fuel (often a surcharge); 停车费 is for parking.

出租车要收燃油费。

停车费 vs 过桥费

Both are fees paid while driving.

过桥费 is a bridge toll.

过桥费和停车费是两回事。

停车费 vs 洗车费

Both involve the car at a station.

洗车费 is for cleaning the car.

洗车费比停车费贵。

Sentence Patterns

这是 + [Amount] + 停车费。

这是十块停车费。

[Place] + 的停车费 + [Adjective]。

这里的停车费很贵。

因为 + [Reason] + 所以 + [Action] + 停车费。

因为没钱，所以我不交停车费。

通过 + [Method] + 减免 + 停车费。

通过积分减免停车费。

[Subject] + 对 + 停车费 + 提出 + [Noun]。

业主对停车费提出异议。

停车费 + 成为 + [Metaphor]。

停车费成为城市治理的难题。

All

请问 + 停车费 + 怎么算？

请问停车费怎么算？

All

免 + 停车费

免停车费。

Word Family

Nouns

停车场 (parking lot)

停车位 (parking space)

停车票 (parking ticket)

停车收费员 (parking attendant)

Verbs

停车 (to park)

停放 (to park/place)

收费 (to collect fees)

计费 (to calculate fees)

Adjectives

免费 (free)

收费 (paid/charging)

昂贵 (expensive)

便宜 (cheap)

交通罚单 (traffic ticket)

过路费 (toll)

油费 (gas money)

洗车费 (car wash fee)

保险费 (insurance premium)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in urban life.

Common Mistakes

Using '停车钱' instead of '停车费'. → 停车费
While 'money' (钱) is understood, '费' (fee) is the standard term for services.
Confusing '停车费' with '车费'. → 停车费
车费 usually refers to travel fares (taxi/bus).
Saying '免费的停车费'. → 免费停车
Redundant. You don't have a 'free fee'.
Writing '费' without the '贝' at the bottom. → 费
The 'shell' radical is essential as it represents money.
Using '停车费' for a speeding ticket. → 罚款
A ticket for a violation is a fine, not a fee.

Tips

Mall Apps

Download mall apps to use points to offset your 停车费. It's a common way to save money.

Official Lots

Always park in official lots with clear 停车费 signs to avoid 'wild' lots that overcharge.

Auto-Pay

Enable '无感支付' (non-inductive payment) in Alipay for seamless exit without scanning.

Politeness

If an attendant asks for money, say '请给我发票' to ensure the fee is official.

Residential Areas

In residential areas, ask if they have '访客位' (visitor spots) which might have different 停车费.

Night Rates

Some places have much cheaper 停车费 at night. Look for '夜间收费'.

Signage

The law requires 停车费 standards to be clearly posted at the entrance.

Check the Time

Always check your entry time on the app to ensure the 停车费 calculation is correct.

Plan Ahead

Use apps like Amap to check 停车费 before you drive to a new destination.

Negotiation

In small, private lots, you can sometimes negotiate a flat 停车费 if you stay for a long time.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ting' as the sound a bell makes when you stop. 'Che' sounds like 'chair' where the car sits. 'Fei' sounds like 'pay'. Ting-Che-Fei: Stop-Chair-Pay.

Visual Association

Imagine a car (车) hitting a stop sign (停) and a giant dollar sign (费) popping out of the meter.

Word Web

停车 (Park) 停车场 (Parking Lot) 停车位 (Parking Space) 费 (Fee) 付 (Pay) 贵 (Expensive) 免费 (Free) 发票 (Receipt)

Challenge

Try to find a parking sign in a Chinese city (via Google Street View or Baidu Maps) and identify the '停车费' section.

Word Origin

停车费 is a modern compound. '停' (tíng) originally depicted a person (人) resting at a pavilion (亭). '车' (chē) is a pictograph of a chariot or cart. '费' (fèi) consists of '贝' (bèi - shell, representing money) and '弗' (fú - to push away/expend).

Original meaning: The literal original meaning is the 'expenditure for the stationary chariot'.

Sino-Tibetan -> Sinitic -> Mandarin.

Cultural Context

Be respectful when discussing fees with attendants; they are often low-wage workers. Avoid accusing private lots of 'scamming' unless you are certain of the rates.

In the US/UK, parking meters are common on streets. In China, roadside parking is often managed by attendants or apps, and enclosed lots are more common in commercial areas.

Modern Chinese TV dramas often feature scenes of characters arguing over high parking fees in Shanghai or Beijing. Social media influencers often post 'hacks' on how to get free parking (免停车费) at malls. News reports on 'the most expensive parking spot in Hong Kong' often go viral.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping Mall

可以免停车费吗？
消费满多少免停车费？
去哪儿换停车券？
扫码在那儿？

Residential Area

月租停车费多少？
访客怎么收停车费？
有固定的停车位吗？
停车费交给谁？

Airport/Train Station

过夜停车费怎么算？
长期停车有优惠吗？
在哪儿缴费？
支持无感支付吗？

Roadside Parking

路边要收停车费吗？
几点以后不收停车费？
这个二维码是付停车费的吗？
收费员在哪儿？

Office Building

公司报销停车费吗？
这笔停车费太高了。
有包月的停车费吗？
访客免费停多久？

Conversation Starters

"你觉得这里的停车费贵不贵？ (Do you think the parking fee here is expensive?)"

"这家商场消费可以抵扣停车费吗？ (Can shopping here offset the parking fee?)"

"我在哪儿可以交停车费？ (Where can I pay the parking fee?)"

"你每月的停车费预算是多少？ (What is your monthly parking fee budget?)"

"这个APP可以付停车费吗？ (Can this app pay the parking fee?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你因为停车费太贵而感到惊讶的经历。 (Describe a time you were surprised by an expensive parking fee.)

你认为城市应该通过提高停车费来减少交通拥堵吗？为什么？ (Do you think cities should increase parking fees to reduce traffic? Why?)

比较一下你家乡和中国大城市的停车费。 (Compare parking fees in your hometown with those in big Chinese cities.)

如果你有权决定停车费的标准，你会如何设定？ (If you could set parking fee standards, how would you set them?)

谈谈电子支付停车费给你的生活带来了哪些便利。 (Talk about the convenience electronic parking fee payments bring.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Most lots use QR codes. Scan the code at the exit or on a pillar with WeChat or Alipay. Some apps like 'PP Parking' are also popular.

Rarely in cities. Look for attendants in vests or automated meters. If there are no markings, you might get a fine (罚款).

It means 'Free Parking'. You don't have to pay any 停车费.

Yes, ask for a '发票' (fāpiào). In automated systems, you can usually request an electronic fapiao through the payment app.

Yes, they can range from 10 to 30 yuan per hour in central districts like Jing'an or Xuhui.

Most modern lots use license plate recognition, so you don't need a ticket. If you do, you may have to pay a 'lost ticket' fee.

Many hotels offer free parking for guests, but always confirm: '住客免停车费吗？'

Most lots have a '最高收费' (maximum charge) for 24 hours. Check the sign at the entrance.

You can say '停车费太贵了' or '停车费高得离谱'.

It is becoming increasingly difficult. Most places prefer digital payment, though larger lots usually have a manual payment option.