停车位
停车位 in 30 Seconds
- 停车位 (tíngchēwèi) is the standard Chinese term for a parking space or spot, essential for urban navigation and daily car-related logistics.
- It is a compound noun consisting of 'stop' (停), 'car' (车), and 'place/position' (位), used with the measure word '个'.
- Commonly heard in phrases like '找停车位' (find a spot) and '预订停车位' (reserve a spot) across various urban settings in China.
- In real estate, it refers to a deeded asset that can be bought, rented, or sold separately from a residential property.
The term 停车位 (tíngchēwèi) is a fundamental compound noun in modern Mandarin Chinese, essential for anyone navigating urban environments. At its core, it refers to a specific, designated spot where a vehicle can be legally stationed. Linguistically, it is composed of three characters: 停 (tíng) meaning 'to stop' or 'to park', 车 (chē) meaning 'vehicle' or 'car', and 位 (wèi) meaning 'place', 'position', or 'location'. When combined, they literally describe a 'stop-car-position'. While English speakers might use 'parking spot', 'parking space', or sometimes 'parking stall' interchangeably, 停车位 covers all these nuances. In the context of China's rapid urbanization, this word has moved from technical traffic jargon to a daily concern for millions of city dwellers. You will encounter this word on street signs, in mobile apps like Alipay or WeChat when paying for parking, and in heated discussions about real estate, as the price of a 停车位 in cities like Shanghai or Beijing can sometimes rival the cost of a luxury car itself.
- Urban Infrastructure
- In city planning, a 停车位 is the smallest unit of a 停车场 (parking lot). It represents the legal right to occupy space.
- Real Estate Context
- When buying an apartment in China, the 停车位 is often sold separately as a deeded asset with its own property certificate.
The usage of 停车位 extends beyond just physical spots on the ground. It is frequently used in the context of availability. For instance, when entering a shopping mall garage, you will see digital displays indicating the number of '剩余停车位' (remaining parking spaces). This specific phrasing is crucial for drivers. Furthermore, the word carries a certain social weight. Finding a 停车位 in a crowded '胡同' (hutong) or a busy '商业区' (business district) is considered a daily victory. Because space is at a premium, the concept of a 停车位 is often associated with the verb 占 (zhàn), meaning to occupy or 'hog', leading to common social frictions. Understanding this word is not just about vocabulary; it is about understanding the logistical reality of life in high-density Chinese urban centers.
这个商场的停车位非常宽敞,新手也能轻松停进去。(The parking spaces in this mall are very spacious; even a beginner can park easily.)
Moreover, the word is increasingly digitized. With the rise of '智慧停车' (smart parking), users frequently interact with the term 停车位 on their smartphones. You might '预约' (yùyuē - reserve) a 停车位 or '共享' (gòngxiǎng - share) your private 停车位 with others through an app when you are at work. This technological layer has added a new dimension to the word, linking it to the sharing economy. In formal documents, you might see the more concise '车位' (chēwèi), but in spoken language and general signs, 停车位 remains the standard, unambiguous term. It is a noun that bridges the gap between physical infrastructure and digital convenience, making it a cornerstone of the HSK 2/3 level vocabulary for practical daily life.
Using 停车位 correctly involves understanding its relationship with common verbs and measure words. The most common measure word for 停车位 is 个 (gè), which is the general classifier, but in more formal or technical contexts, you might see 位 (wèi) used as its own classifier, though this is redundant and less common than '一个停车位'. When you are looking for a spot, you use the verb 找 (zhǎo). For example, '我在找停车位' (I am looking for a parking space). This simple sentence is perhaps the most frequent use case for expatriates driving in China.
对不起,这里的停车位已经满了,请去地下一层。(Sorry, the parking spaces here are full; please go to the first basement level.)
Another critical verb is 预订 (yùdìng), meaning to reserve. In modern 'Smart Cities', you might say, '我已经在线预订了一个停车位' (I have already reserved a parking space online). If you are referring to ownership, the verb is 有 (yǒu) or 拥有 (yōngyǒu). For instance, '买房的时候,我顺便买了一个停车位' (When I bought the house, I bought a parking space as well). This highlights the 停车位 as a commodity. Conversely, if someone has taken your spot, you would use 占 (zhàn), as in '有人占了我的停车位' (Someone has occupied my parking space).
- Action: Seeking
- 找停车位 (zhǎo tíngchēwèi) - To look for a parking spot.
- Action: Allocating
- 划分停车位 (huàfēn tíngchēwèi) - To demarcate or paint parking spaces on the ground.
When describing the attributes of a 停车位, common adjectives include 宽 (kuān - wide), 窄 (zhǎi - narrow), 固定 (gùdìng - fixed/assigned), and 临时 (línshí - temporary). For example, '这个停车位太窄了,我的车停不进去' (This parking space is too narrow; my car won't fit). In a residential context, distinguishing between a '固定停车位' and a '临时停车位' is vital for knowing where you are allowed to leave your vehicle overnight without getting a call from the security guard (保安).
由于市中心停车位紧缺,很多人选择搭乘地铁上班。(Due to the shortage of parking spaces downtown, many people choose to take the subway to work.)
In the real world, 停车位 is a word that rings out in parking garages, echoes through car windows, and flashes on LED screens. If you are driving with a Chinese friend, you will hear them mutter, '哪里有停车位啊?' (Where is there a parking space?) with a tone of frustration. This is the quintessential urban experience. At the entrance of any large '商场' (shopping mall) or '写字楼' (office building), the security guard or '保安' (bǎo'ān) will often wave their hands and shout, '里面没停车位了!' (No more parking spaces inside!). This immediate, practical usage is where learners will encounter the word most frequently.
导航系统提示:“前方五百米有公共停车位。” (The navigation system prompts: "There are public parking spaces 500 meters ahead.")
Another very common place to hear this word is in residential '小区' (xiǎoqū - residential compounds). Neighbors might argue about '私人停车位' (private parking spaces). You might hear a conversation like: '这是我的停车位,请你把车挪一下' (This is my parking space; please move your car). In this context, the word is tied to property rights and personal boundaries. Furthermore, in the news, you will often hear about '停车位缺口' (parking space gap/shortage), a common topic in urban planning reports discussing how cities are struggling to keep up with the increasing number of private cars.
- Public Announcements
- Automated voices in garages often say: '欢迎光临,剩余停车位:12个' (Welcome, remaining parking spaces: 12).
- App Notifications
- Apps like Amap (高德地图) will notify you: '目的地附近停车位紧张' (Parking spaces near your destination are tight/scarce).
In a professional setting, such as a real estate agency, the word takes on a financial tone. An agent might say, '这套房子带一个地下停车位' (This apartment comes with an underground parking space). Here, the 停车位 is a selling point, a feature of the property. You might also hear it in the context of '立体停车位' (mechanical/stacked parking spaces), which are becoming popular in dense areas to maximize space. Listening for the three syllables 'tíng-chē-wèi' becomes second nature once you start driving or even just taking taxis in China, as drivers constantly look for a place to drop off or pick up passengers without blocking traffic.
那个老师傅找停车位的眼力真是绝了。(That old driver's ability to spot a parking space is truly amazing.)
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing 停车位 (tíngchēwèi) with 停车场 (tíngchēchǎng). While they are related, they represent different scales. A 停车场 is the entire lot or garage (the facility), while a 停车位 is the individual rectangular spot for one car. Saying '我把车停在了一个停车场' is correct if you mean you left it in the lot, but if you want to specify you found a spot, '我找到了一个停车位' is more precise. Using '停车场' when you mean a single spot sounds slightly 'off' to native speakers, similar to saying 'I found a parking lot' when you actually just found one space.
错误:这个停车场太小了,停不下一辆SUV。(Mistake if you mean the spot is too small; should be 停车位).
Another common error involves the measure word. Students often try to use '位' (wèi) as a measure word for 停车位 because '位' is a common measure word for people (e.g., 一位老师). However, for 停车位, the word '位' is already part of the noun. The correct measure word is 个 (gè). Saying '一位停车位' is grammatically incorrect and confusing. Stick to '一个停车位'. Additionally, some learners forget the middle character '车' and just say '停位', which is not a standard word. While '车位' is a common and acceptable abbreviation, '停位' is not.
- Confusing Nouns
- 停车位 (Spot) vs. 停车场 (Lot/Garage) vs. 停机坪 (Tarmac/Apron for planes).
- Measure Word Error
- Using '一位' instead of '一个'. Remember: 位 here is a suffix meaning 'position', not a classifier.
There is also a nuanced mistake regarding the verb 'to park'. In English, we 'park in a space'. In Chinese, you '停在...位' (stop at... spot). Some learners try to translate 'park' as '停车' and then struggle with the preposition. The correct structure is '把车停在停车位里' (Put the car - stop at - parking space inside) or simply '停在停车位'. Also, be careful with the word '空' (kòng). To say 'an empty spot', use '空位' (kòngwèi) or '空的停车位'. Just saying '空停车' is meaningless. Finally, avoid using 停车位 when referring to a bus stop (车站) or a taxi stand (出租车停靠点), which have their own specific terms.
纠正:我把车停在了停车位里,而不是停在路边。(Correction: I parked the car in a parking space, not on the side of the road.)
While 停车位 is the most standard term, several synonyms and related terms exist depending on the formality and context. The most frequent alternative is 车位 (chēwèi). This is simply a shortened version. It is used in almost all the same contexts but feels slightly more informal or concise. In real estate advertisements, you will almost exclusively see '车位' (e.g., '买房送车位' - Buy a house, get a parking spot for free). If you are looking to sound more like a local in a casual conversation, '车位' is often the better choice.
- 车位 (chēwèi)
- The most common abbreviation. Used in daily speech and real estate.
- 泊位 (bówèi)
- A more formal or technical term. Often used for ships (berths) but also seen on official city parking signs or in maritime contexts.
Another related term is 停车场 (tíngchēchǎng), which we've noted refers to the facility itself. However, in some contexts, people might say '找个停车场' when they are actually looking for a spot inside one. There is also 停靠点 (tíngkàodiǎn), which refers to a 'stopping point' or 'drop-off point'. This is different from a 停车位 because a 停靠点 is usually for short-term stays where the driver remains in the vehicle, like a taxi stand or a bus stop. If you leave your car in a 停靠点, you might get a ticket.
这个码头有五个专门为游艇准备的泊位。(This pier has five berths/parking spaces specifically prepared for yachts.)
For specialized vehicles, you might see 装卸位 (zhuāngxièwèi), which is a loading/unloading bay for trucks, or 无障碍车位 (wúzhàng'ài chēwèi), which refers to accessible parking spaces for people with disabilities. In the world of electric vehicles (EVs), the term 充电位 (chōngdiànwèi) is becoming ubiquitous. This is a parking space equipped with a charging pile (充电桩). Using these specific terms shows a higher level of Chinese proficiency and an understanding of modern infrastructure. Finally, in a very informal or slang context, you might hear '空儿' (kòngr) used as in '那儿有个空儿' (There's a space over there), though this is very general and could refer to any gap, not just for a car.
- 充电位 (chōngdiànwèi)
- Specific to EVs; includes a charging station.
- 临时停靠区 (línshí tíngkào qū)
- A temporary stopping zone, not for long-term parking.
Examples by Level
这里有停车位。
There is a parking space here.
Uses the basic 'Subject + 有 + Object' structure.
那是我的停车位。
That is my parking space.
Uses the possessive '我的'.
停车位在哪里?
Where is the parking space?
A basic question using '在哪里'.
这个停车位很大。
This parking space is very big.
Uses the adjective '大' with '很'.
没有停车位了。
There are no more parking spaces.
Uses '没有...了' to indicate a change in state (none left).
我要找停车位。
I want to find a parking space.
Uses the verb '找' (to find/look for).
一个停车位。
One parking space.
Uses the measure word '个'.
请停在停车位里。
Please park in the parking space.
A polite command using '请'.
我们在商场找了一个停车位。
We found a parking space in the mall.
Past action indicated by '了'.
这里的停车位是免费的吗?
Are the parking spaces here free?
Uses '...是...的吗' for a yes/no question.
地下一层还有很多停车位。
There are still many parking spaces on the first basement level.
Uses '还有' to mean 'still have'.
这个停车位太窄了,不好停。
This parking space is too narrow; it's hard to park.
Uses '太...了' for 'too...'.
你可以把车停在那个停车位。
You can park the car in that parking space.
Uses the '把' construction for disposal.
饭店门口有两个停车位。
There are two parking spaces at the restaurant entrance.
Location + 有 + Quantity + Noun.
我需要预订一个停车位。
I need to reserve a parking space.
Uses the verb '预订' (reserve).
请问停车位多少钱一个小时?
Excuse me, how much is the parking space per hour?
Asking about price per unit of time.
由于没有停车位,他只能把车停在路边。
Because there were no parking spaces, he had to park on the side of the road.
Uses '由于...只能...' structure.
这个小区的停车位非常紧张,每天都要抢。
Parking spaces in this compound are very tight; you have to scramble for them every day.
Uses '紧张' to mean scarce/tight.
如果你买这套公寓,我们会送你一个停车位。
If you buy this apartment, we will give you a parking space for free.
A conditional '如果...就...' sentence.
他在手机上找了一个附近的共享停车位。
He found a nearby shared parking space on his phone.
Uses '共享' (shared) as a modifier.
请不要占用残疾人专用停车位。
Please do not occupy parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities.
Uses '占用' (occupy) and '专用' (dedicated).
我租的那个停车位下个月就要到期了。
The parking space I rented will expire next month.
Uses '就要...了' for immediate future.
这个停车位是私人的,外来车辆禁止停放。
This parking space is private; outside vehicles are prohibited from parking.
Uses '禁止' (prohibit).
为了找停车位,我绕着写字楼开了三圈。
To find a parking space, I drove around the office building three times.
Uses '为了' to express purpose.
城市规划者正在努力解决中心城区停车位不足的问题。
City planners are working hard to solve the problem of insufficient parking spaces in the city center.
Formal vocabulary: '规划者', '解决', '不足'.
智能停车系统可以实时显示每个停车位的状态。
The smart parking system can display the status of each parking space in real-time.
Uses '实时' (real-time) and '状态' (status).
随着新能源汽车的普及,充电停车位的需求也随之增长。
With the popularization of new energy vehicles, the demand for charging parking spaces is also growing.
Uses '随着...也随之...' structure.
有些车主为了省钱,会选择停在非法停车位上。
Some car owners choose to park in illegal parking spaces to save money.
Uses '非法' (illegal).
立体停车位有效地利用了城市有限的土地资源。
Mechanical parking spaces effectively utilize the city's limited land resources.
Uses '有效' (effectively) and '利用' (utilize).
开发商承诺每个住户至少拥有一个固定停车位。
The developer promised that each resident would have at least one fixed parking space.
Uses '承诺' (promise) and '至少' (at least).
他在争论中强调,这个停车位的所有权属于他。
In the argument, he emphasized that the ownership of this parking space belongs to him.
Uses '强调' (emphasize) and '所有权' (ownership).
增加停车位可能会导致交通流量进一步增加,这是一个悖论。
Increasing parking spaces might lead to a further increase in traffic flow, which is a paradox.
Uses '导致' (lead to) and '悖论' (paradox).
关于小区停车位产权的归属问题,法律界一直存在争议。
Regarding the issue of ownership of parking spaces in residential compounds, there has always been controversy in the legal community.
Uses technical legal terms like '产权' and '归属'.
通过优化停车位周转率,可以显著缓解商业区的交通压力。
By optimizing the turnover rate of parking spaces, the traffic pressure in business districts can be significantly relieved.
Uses '优化' (optimize) and '显著' (significantly).
人防工程改建的停车位在战时必须迅速恢复原状。
Parking spaces converted from civil air defense projects must be quickly restored to their original state during wartime.
Uses '人防工程' (civil air defense) and '恢复原状' (restore to original state).
该项目的停车位配比达到了1:1.2,远高于行业平均水平。
The parking space ratio of this project reached 1:1.2, far higher than the industry average.
Uses '配比' (ratio) and '平均水平' (average level).
共享停车位模式的成功取决于用户之间的信用体系建设。
The success of the shared parking space model depends on the construction of a credit system among users.
Uses '取决于' (depends on).
由于停车位设计不合理,导致很多大型车辆无法正常停靠。
The unreasonable design of the parking spaces led to many large vehicles being unable to park normally.
Uses '设计不合理' (unreasonable design).
物权法对停车位的处分权做了明确的界定。
The Property Law has made clear definitions of the right of disposal of parking spaces.
Uses '物权法' (Property Law) and '处分权' (right of disposal).
在寸土寸金的香港,一个停车位的售价可能高达数百万港币。
In Hong Kong, where land is at a premium, the selling price of a parking space can be as high as several million HKD.
Uses the idiom '寸土寸金' (land is as expensive as gold).
停车位的稀缺性已然成为制约特大城市可持续发展的瓶颈之一。
The scarcity of parking spaces has already become one of the bottlenecks restricting the sustainable development of megacities.
Highly academic and formal; uses '稀缺性', '制约', and '瓶颈'.
从社会学的角度看,停车位的争夺折射出城市空间资源的分配不公。
From a sociological perspective, the struggle for parking spaces reflects the unfair distribution of urban space resources.
Uses '折射' (reflect) and '分配不公' (unfair distribution).
政府通过价格杠杆来调节停车位的供需关系,以减少私家车的使用。
The government uses price levers to regulate the supply and demand of parking spaces to reduce the use of private cars.
Uses '价格杠杆' (price lever) and '供需关系' (supply-demand relationship).
在高度自动化的未来,停车位的概念或许会逐渐消亡,取而代之的是移动的交通节点。
In a highly automated future, the concept of a parking space might gradually disappear, replaced by mobile traffic nodes.
Uses '消亡' (die out) and '取而代之' (replace).
停车位的设计不仅要考虑功能性,还应兼顾城市美学和生态效益。
The design of parking spaces should not only consider functionality but also balance urban aesthetics and ecological benefits.
Uses '兼顾' (give consideration to both).
对于很多中产阶级而言,拥有一个专属停车位是实现某种程度生活自由的象征。
For many middle-class people, owning an exclusive parking space is a symbol of achieving a certain degree of lifestyle freedom.
Uses '某种程度' (a certain degree) and '象征' (symbol).
通过大数据分析,我们可以精准预测节假日期间核心景区的停车位缺口。
Through big data analysis, we can accurately predict the parking space gap in core scenic areas during holidays.
Uses '精准预测' (accurately predict) and '核心景区' (core scenic area).
这种将停车位与房产强制捆绑销售的行为,遭到了法律专家的质疑。
The practice of forcibly tying the sale of parking spaces with real estate has been questioned by legal experts.
Uses '捆绑销售' (bundled sales) and '质疑' (question/challenge).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Describes a situation where finding a single spot (usually parking or a seat) is extremely difficult.
在市中心,停车位真是一位难求。
— To scramble or fight for a parking spot; also a famous social media game.
每天下班都要和邻居抢车位。
— To occupy or hold a spot for someone else.
我先去停车位那儿帮你占个位子。
— To park vehicles haphazardly or illegally.
这里没有停车位,不能乱停乱放。
— The general problem of the difficulty of parking in cities.
停车难是现代城市的一大通病。
— To move a car (often because it's blocking a spot).
你的车挡住停车位了,请挪一下。
— The fee paid for using a parking space.
这个停车位的停车费太贵了。
— A physical lock used to prevent others from using a private parking spot.
他在自己的停车位上装了车位锁。
— A mechanical/automated parking garage.
立体车库里有很多停车位。
— To draw/paint lines (to create parking spaces).
工人正在地上划停车位的线。
Idioms & Expressions
— Extremely hard to find a single spot. Used for parking, tickets, or jobs.
春节期间,这里的停车位真是一位难求。
Common Idiom— Land is as expensive as gold. Often used to explain why parking is expensive.
在寸土寸金的地段,停车位也贵得离谱。
Classic IdiomSummary
The word 停车位 is vital for any driver in China; remember that it refers to the specific spot (the 'bit' of space), while 停车场 is the whole lot. Example: '我终于在繁忙的市中心找到了一个停车位' (I finally found a parking spot in the busy city center).
- 停车位 (tíngchēwèi) is the standard Chinese term for a parking space or spot, essential for urban navigation and daily car-related logistics.
- It is a compound noun consisting of 'stop' (停), 'car' (车), and 'place/position' (位), used with the measure word '个'.
- Commonly heard in phrases like '找停车位' (find a spot) and '预订停车位' (reserve a spot) across various urban settings in China.
- In real estate, it refers to a deeded asset that can be bought, rented, or sold separately from a residential property.
Example
这里很难找到停车位。
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朝九晚五
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未免
B2Rather; a bit too; truly (implies something excessive).
废弃
B2To abandon; to discard; to cease to use.
恪守
B2To scrupulously observe; to strictly adhere to.
反常
B2abnormal, unusual
充裕
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充沛
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门禁
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配件
B2Fittings; accessories; spare parts.