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A1 verb #3,500 most common 10 min read

坐飞机

zuofeiji Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 坐飞机 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 坐飞机 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '坐飞机' (zuò fēijī) is a fundamental vocabulary item used to describe a basic mode of transportation. Students learn it alongside other '坐' (zuò) phrases like '坐车' (zuò chē - take a car) and '坐火车' (zuò huǒchē - take a train). The focus is on the literal meaning: sitting on a plane. Learners at this stage should be able to use it in simple SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) sentences such as '我坐飞机' (I take a plane) or '他不坐飞机' (He doesn't take a plane). The grammar is straightforward, emphasizing the 'method before action' rule, which is a cornerstone of basic Chinese syntax. For example, '我坐飞机去北京' (I take a plane to Beijing). The goal is to recognize the individual characters—坐 (sit), 飞 (fly), and 机 (machine)—and understand how they combine to form a single concept. Practical application includes answering basic questions about how one travels to school or on vacation.

At the A2 level, learners expand their use of '坐飞机' to include more descriptive elements and time-related expressions. You will start to see the phrase used with frequency adverbs like '经常' (jīngcháng - often) or '从不' (cóngbù - never). For instance, '我经常坐飞机去上海' (I often take a plane to Shanghai). A2 students also learn to use the phrase in the past tense using '了' (le) or '过' (guò) to indicate experience, such as '我坐过飞机' (I have taken a plane before). The context also broadens to include basic travel-related vocabulary, like '机票' (jīpiào - plane ticket) and '机场' (jīchǎng - airport). Learners should be comfortable discussing travel plans and preferences, comparing '坐飞机' with other transport methods like '坐大巴' (zuò dàbā - take a bus). The focus shifts from simple identification to using the phrase in short, connected dialogues about travel experiences and future holiday plans.

At the B1 level, '坐飞机' is used in more complex sentence structures, including conditional sentences and comparisons. For example, '虽然坐飞机很快，但是机票很贵' (Although taking a plane is fast, the tickets are expensive). B1 learners are expected to handle more nuanced travel scenarios, such as discussing flight delays, baggage allowance, and the reasons for choosing air travel over other options. The phrase often appears in discussions about the pros and cons of different lifestyles or travel habits. You might also encounter more formal synonyms like '乘坐' (chéngzuò) in reading materials or official contexts. Students should be able to describe their feelings about flying, such as '坐飞机的时候我喜欢睡觉' (I like to sleep when I take a plane), and use the phrase in narratives about past trips. The grammar becomes more sophisticated, incorporating resultative complements or potential complements related to the travel process.

At the B2 level, '坐飞机' is used fluently in discussions about broader topics such as environmental impact, international business, and tourism trends. A B2 learner might engage in a debate about 'carbon footprints' (碳足迹) associated with '坐飞机' or discuss the impact of low-cost airlines on global mobility. The phrase is no longer just a travel description but a starting point for expressing opinions on complex issues. For example, '随着全球化的发展，坐飞机变得越来越普遍' (With the development of globalization, taking a plane has become increasingly common). At this level, learners should also be familiar with metaphorical uses or idioms that might involve flight or machinery, though '坐飞机' itself remains mostly literal. They can understand and use more formal registers of the word in professional reports or academic essays about transportation infrastructure or urban planning.

At the C1 level, '坐飞机' is used with high precision in various registers. The learner can discuss the intricacies of the aviation industry, such as deregulation, safety protocols, and the socio-economic implications of air travel in remote regions. They can analyze literary texts where '坐飞机' might symbolize modern alienation or the speed of contemporary life. For instance, a C1 student might write an analysis on how the act of '坐飞机' in a specific novel represents the protagonist's transition between cultures. The vocabulary surrounding the phrase becomes highly specialized, involving terms like '空难' (kōngnàn - air crash), '头等舱' (tóuděngcāng - first class), and '航空枢纽' (hángkōng shūniǔ - aviation hub). The learner can seamlessly switch between '坐飞机', '乘坐', and '搭乘' depending on the desired tone and audience, demonstrating a native-like command of stylistic nuances.

At the C2 level, the phrase '坐飞机' is a simple tool within a vast linguistic repertoire. The learner can engage in high-level academic or philosophical discourse where '坐飞机' serves as a mundane example of human technological achievement or environmental catastrophe. They can appreciate the subtle irony or humor in puns involving the phrase and can understand it in extremely fast-paced, colloquial, or dialect-influenced speech. A C2 speaker might discuss the historical evolution of the phrase from its first appearance in the early 20th century to its current status as a basic necessity. They are capable of critiquing the linguistic structure of the term itself, comparing it to transportation verbs in other languages, and using it in highly sophisticated creative writing. The focus at this level is on total mastery of context, connotation, and the ability to use the phrase to construct complex, persuasive arguments in any setting.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

坐飞机 in 30 Seconds

坐飞机 (zuò fēijī) means 'to take a plane' in Chinese.
It uses the verb '坐' (to sit) which is standard for most vehicles.
The phrase usually comes before the destination in a sentence.
It is a neutral, everyday term suitable for all levels of formality.

The term 坐飞机 (zuò fēijī) is a quintessential phrase in modern Chinese, literally translating to "to sit on a flying machine." In everyday usage, it is the standard way to say "to take a plane" or "to travel by air." The verb 坐 (zuò) means "to sit," which in Chinese logic extends to riding in any vehicle where you are a passenger, such as a car, train, or bus. The noun 飞机 (fēijī) is composed of 飞 (fēi), meaning "to fly," and 机 (jī), meaning "machine" or "engine." Together, they form a vivid image of the act of air travel. This phrase is used in almost every context involving aviation, from casual holiday planning to formal business travel arrangements.

Literal Meaning: To sit in a flying machine.
Practical Usage: Used whenever you are the passenger on a flight, regardless of the duration or purpose.

我喜欢坐飞机去旅行。(Wǒ xǐhuān zuò fēijī qù lǚxíng.) - I like taking a plane to go traveling.

Historically, taking a plane was considered a luxury in China, often associated with high-ranking officials or the wealthy. However, with the rapid expansion of China's aviation infrastructure and the rise of low-cost carriers, 坐飞机 has become a common part of life for millions. It is the preferred method for crossing the vast distances between major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. When you hear this phrase, it usually implies a sense of speed and modernity compared to the traditional 坐火车 (zuò huǒchē), which refers to taking the train.

明天我们要坐飞机回北京。(Míngtiān wǒmen yào zuò fēijī huí Běijīng.) - We are taking a plane back to Beijing tomorrow.

The phrase is also culturally significant during the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), where the choice between 坐飞机 and other transport methods is a major topic of conversation. Taking the plane is often seen as a way to maximize time with family by minimizing travel time. It represents efficiency and the acceleration of the modern Chinese lifestyle. Furthermore, in business Chinese, the phrase is foundational for discussing logistics, travel reimbursements, and scheduling international meetings.

Tone and Register: Neutral to slightly formal depending on the surrounding vocabulary, but generally suitable for all social settings.

他从来没坐飞机。(Tā cónglái méi zuò fēijī.) - He has never taken a plane.

坐飞机很方便。(Zuò fēijī hěn fāngbiàn.) - Taking a plane is very convenient.

你打算坐飞机还是坐火车？(Nǐ dǎsuàn zuò fēijī háishì zuò huǒchē?) - Do you plan to take a plane or a train?

Using 坐飞机 in a sentence requires an understanding of Chinese sentence structure, which typically follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) pattern, but often incorporates the method of transport as an adverbial phrase before the main action. In the sentence "I go to London by plane," the structure in Chinese is "I sit plane go London" (我坐飞机去伦敦). This placement is crucial: the method of transport always comes before the destination or the main verb of the sentence.

Standard Structure: Subject + 坐飞机 + (去) + Place / + Verb

我妈妈不敢坐飞机。(Wǒ māma bù gǎn zuò fēijī.) - My mom doesn't dare to take a plane.

When you want to describe the experience of flying, 坐飞机 acts as the subject or a gerund-like phrase. For example, "Taking a plane is expensive" translates to 坐飞机很贵. You can also modify the phrase with time durations or frequency. For instance, "I often take a plane" is 我经常坐飞机. If you want to specify the airline or the type of plane, those details usually precede 飞机, but the verb 坐 remains the same.

他们坐飞机去了美国。(Tāmen zuò fēijī qùle Měiguó.) - They took a plane to the United States.

In more complex sentences involving time, the time phrase can go either at the very beginning of the sentence or immediately after the subject. For example, "Yesterday I took a plane" can be 昨天我坐飞机 or 我昨天坐飞机. However, it cannot go at the end of the sentence like in English. Negation is also straightforward: use 不 (bù) for habitual actions or future intent, and 没 (méi) for past actions. "I won't take a plane" is 我不坐飞机, while "I didn't take a plane" is 我没坐飞机.

Negation Pattern: Subject + 不/没 + 坐飞机

因为天气不好，我们不坐飞机了。(Yīnwèi tiānqì bù hǎo, wǒmen bù zuò fēijī le.) - Because the weather is bad, we aren't taking the plane anymore.

Furthermore, 坐飞机 can be used with modal verbs like 想 (xiǎng - want), 能 (néng - can), or 应该 (yīnggāi - should). These modal verbs are placed directly before 坐. For example, "I want to take a plane" is 我想坐飞机. This versatility makes it one of the most useful travel phrases for any learner to master early in their studies.

你以前坐飞机去过上海吗？(Nǐ yǐqián zuò fēijī qùguò Shànghǎi ma?) - Have you taken a plane to Shanghai before?

为了省时间，他决定坐飞机。(Wèile shěng shíjiān, tā juédìng zuò fēijī.) - To save time, he decided to take a plane.

You will encounter the phrase 坐飞机 in a wide variety of real-world scenarios in China. The most obvious location is the airport (机场 - jīchǎng). While official announcements might use more formal language like 登机 (dēngjī - to board) or 乘坐 (chéngzuò - to ride), passengers in the waiting lounge and staff at the check-in counters will frequently use 坐飞机 in casual conversation. For example, a traveler might say, "I'm taking the 3 PM plane" (我坐下午三点的飞机).

Travel Agencies: Agents will ask if you prefer flying or taking the high-speed rail.

在柜台，你可以说："我要坐飞机去西安。" (At the counter, you can say: "I want to take a plane to Xi'an.")

In Chinese media, especially in news reports about tourism or the economy, 坐飞机 is used to describe the volume of travelers. During the Golden Week holidays, news anchors often report on how many people are choosing to 坐飞机 versus other modes of transport. In TV dramas and movies, characters often use the phrase to indicate a long journey or a significant move, such as a character saying goodbye before 坐飞机 to study abroad. It carries a connotation of distance and transition.

新闻说，今年更多人选择坐飞机回老家。(The news says more people are choosing to fly back to their hometowns this year.)

In professional environments, colleagues might discuss their travel plans using this phrase. It is common to hear, "Are you flying there?" (你坐飞机去吗？) during a meeting about an upcoming business trip. It is also a staple in Chinese language textbooks and classrooms, as it is one of the first transport-related phrases taught to beginners. On social media platforms like WeChat or Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu), users post photos of their airplane windows or boarding passes with captions like "First time 坐飞机 this year!" (今年第一次坐飞机！).

Social Media: Highly frequent in travel blogs and status updates involving vacations.

他正在坐飞机，现在接不了电话。(He is on a plane right now and cannot answer the phone.)

你坐飞机的时候喜欢看电影吗？(Do you like watching movies when you take a plane?)

我还没坐飞机出过国。(I haven't taken a plane to go abroad yet.)

One of the most frequent mistakes for English speakers learning 坐飞机 is the confusion between 坐 (zuò) and 开 (kāi). In English, we often say "I am flying to Paris," which could imply you are the pilot or the passenger. In Chinese, 开飞机 specifically means to pilot the aircraft. If you say 我要开飞机去上海, people will think you have a pilot's license. Always use 坐 when you are a passenger.

Mistake 1: The Pilot Error: Using '开飞机' (kāi fēijī) instead of '坐飞机' (zuò fēijī) when you are a passenger.

错误：我想开飞机去旅游。(Wrong: I want to pilot a plane to travel - unless you really do!)

Another common error is the word order regarding the destination. English speakers tend to say "I take a plane to [Location]" and translate it literally as 我坐飞机到[Location]. While this is understandable, the more natural structure is 坐飞机去[Location] or placing the travel method before the destination verb: 我坐飞机去北京. Placing the location before 坐飞机 (e.g., 我去北京坐飞机) changes the meaning to "I am going to Beijing to catch a plane" (implying Beijing is where the airport is, not your final destination).

正确：我们坐飞机去上海。(Correct: We take a plane to Shanghai.)

A third mistake involves the omission of the verb 坐. Beginners sometimes try to say "I plane go Beijing" (我飞机去北京). In Chinese, nouns like 飞机 cannot function as adverbs on their own; they must be paired with a verb like 坐 or 乘 to indicate the action of using that transport. Also, be careful with the measure words. If you are counting flights, you use 趟 (tàng) or 次 (cì), but you don't use them directly with 坐飞机 in a way that breaks the phrase's integrity.

Mistake 2: Missing the Verb: Saying '我飞机去' instead of '我坐飞机去'.

错误：他飞机去美国了。(Wrong: He plane went to America.)

你喜欢坐飞机吗？(Correct: Do you like taking a plane?)

我不想坐飞机，太累了。(I don't want to take a plane, it is too tiring.)

While 坐飞机 is the most common way to express taking a plane, there are several alternatives that vary in formality and nuance. Understanding these can help you sound more like a native speaker and adapt to different social situations. The most common formal alternative is 乘坐飞机 (chéngzuò fēijī). You will hear this in airport announcements and see it in written travel itineraries. 乘坐 is a more elegant version of 坐.

乘坐飞机 (Chéngzuò fēijī): Formal/Written. Used in official contexts or by airline staff.
搭飞机 (Dā fēijī): Casual/Regional. Very common in Southern China and Taiwan, meaning "to catch/hitch a ride on a plane."

请各位旅客准备乘坐飞机。(Please, all passengers prepare to board the plane.)

Another common alternative is simply using the verb 飞 (fēi). For example, 我明天飞上海 (I fly to Shanghai tomorrow). This is very concise and common among frequent travelers or in business contexts. It skips the "sitting" part and focuses on the flight itself. However, 坐飞机 is safer for beginners as it is always grammatically correct. There is also 乘机 (chéngjī), which is a highly formal, abbreviated version often seen on signs (e.g., 乘机手续 - chéngjī shǒuxù for check-in procedures).

我打算搭飞机去香港。(I plan to catch a plane to Hong Kong.)

For comparison, consider the difference between 坐飞机 and 坐高铁 (zuò gāotiě - taking the high-speed rail). In China, these are the two primary competitors for long-distance travel. When people discuss their travel plans, they often weigh the pros and cons of 坐飞机 (faster for long distances, but susceptible to weather delays) versus 坐高铁 (more punctual, easier security, but slower for very long journeys). This comparison is a very common topic in intermediate Chinese conversation.

飞 (Fēi): Verb only. Concise and modern. "I'm flying to..."

你是坐飞机还是坐高铁？(Are you taking a plane or the high-speed rail?)

他经常坐飞机出差。(He often takes a plane for business trips.)

这次我们坐飞机去，下次坐火车。(This time we take a plane, next time we take the train.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Before '飞机' was the standard word, early 20th-century Chinese sometimes called planes '飞行机' (flying machine) or '飞艇' (airship).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /zuɔ̀ feɪtɕiː/

US /zwoʊ feɪdʒi/

The primary stress is usually on the 'fei' syllable, as it carries the core meaning of the noun.

Rhymes With

衣 (yī) 西 (xī) 鸡 (jī) 低 (dī) 期 (qī) 稀 (xī) 溪 (xī) 梯 (tī)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zuo' as 'zoo'. It should be 'dzwo'.
Mixing up the tones, especially making 'fei' or 'ji' falling tones.
Pronouncing 'ji' like 'gee' in English. It is a sharper, more palatal sound.
Failing to aspirate the 'f' in 'fei' correctly.
Pronouncing 'z' in 'zuo' as a soft 's'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

The characters are relatively simple and very common in beginner texts.

Writing 2/5

The character '飞' and '机' have a few strokes, but are essential to learn early.

Speaking 1/5

Tones are clear and the phrase follows a very logical structure.

Listening 1/5

Highly recognizable even in fast speech due to the distinct 'fei' sound.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

我 (I) 去 (go) 坐 (sit) 车 (car) 北京 (Beijing)

Learn Next

机场 (airport) 机票 (ticket) 护照 (passport) 旅游 (travel) 行李 (luggage)

Advanced

航空公司 (airline) 延误 (delay) 登机牌 (boarding pass) 中转 (layover) 时差 (jet lag)

Grammar to Know

Method of Action

Subject + [坐/骑/打] + Vehicle + Verb + Object.

Duration of Time

坐飞机去北京要[Duration].

Experience with '过'

我坐过飞机。

Using '的时候' (When)

坐飞机的时候，我很开心。

Alternative Question '还是'

你坐飞机还是坐车？

Examples by Level

我坐飞机。

I take a plane.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object.

你不坐飞机吗？

Are you not taking a plane?

Negative question with '不'.

他坐飞机去北京。

He takes a plane to Beijing.

Method (坐飞机) before Action (去北京).

我们要坐飞机去中国。

We want to take a plane to China.

Using the modal verb '要' (want/will).

坐飞机很快。

Taking a plane is very fast.

The phrase '坐飞机' acts as the subject.

我喜欢坐飞机。

I like taking a plane.

Verb '喜欢' followed by the activity.

老师坐飞机去上海。

The teacher takes a plane to Shanghai.

Standard SVO with a specific subject.

你坐飞机还是坐火车？

Are you taking a plane or a train?

Using '还是' for 'or' in questions.

我去年坐飞机去了美国。

I took a plane to America last year.

Time phrase '去年' and past action '了'.

坐飞机比坐火车贵。

Taking a plane is more expensive than taking a train.

Comparison using '比' (bǐ).

他从来没坐过飞机。

He has never taken a plane before.

Using '从来没...过' for 'never experienced'.

坐飞机的时候，我喜欢看书。

When taking a plane, I like to read books.

Using '...的时候' for 'when/during'.

你想坐哪天的飞机？

Which day's plane do you want to take?

Using '哪天' (which day) to modify '飞机'.

我经常坐飞机出差。

I often take a plane for business trips.

Frequency adverb '经常' (often).

坐飞机去西安要三个小时。

Taking a plane to Xi'an takes three hours.

Duration of time at the end of the sentence.

因为下雨，我们不能坐飞机了。

Because it's raining, we can't take the plane anymore.

Cause and effect with '因为...不能...了'.

虽然坐飞机很快，但我更喜欢坐火车。

Although taking a plane is fast, I prefer taking the train.

Concession structure '虽然...但是...'.

如果你坐飞机去，可以省很多时间。

If you go by plane, you can save a lot of time.

Conditional '如果...可以...'.

坐飞机去旅行已经变得非常方便了。

Traveling by plane has already become very convenient.

Using '已经...了' for completed change.

我坐飞机的时候总是觉得耳朵不舒服。

My ears always feel uncomfortable when I take a plane.

Adverb '总是' (always) and feeling '觉得'.

为了能坐飞机，他早早就到了机场。

In order to catch the plane, he arrived at the airport very early.

Purpose clause '为了能...'.

这是我第一次坐飞机去国外。

This is the first time I've taken a plane abroad.

Ordinals '第一次' (first time).

坐飞机之前，你需要检查你的护照。

Before taking a plane, you need to check your passport.

Using '...之前' for 'before'.

他正在考虑是坐飞机还是开车去。

He is considering whether to take a plane or drive there.

Indirect question '是...还是...'.

有些人认为坐飞机对环境有负面影响。

Some people believe that taking a plane has a negative impact on the environment.

Complex opinion structure '有些人认为...'.

随着机票价格的下降，越来越多的人选择坐飞机。

With the drop in ticket prices, more and more people are choosing to fly.

Structure '随着...越来越多...'.

坐飞机不仅快捷，而且能让你看到美丽的云海。

Taking a plane is not only fast but also allows you to see a beautiful sea of clouds.

Correlative conjunction '不仅...而且...'.

对于经常坐飞机的人来说，时差是一个大问题。

For people who often take planes, jet lag is a big problem.

Structure '对于...来说' (As for...).

除非有紧急情况，否则我不愿意坐飞机。

Unless there is an emergency, I am unwilling to take a plane.

Conditional '除非...否则...'.

坐飞机去那里虽然贵点，但是值得。

Although it's a bit expensive to fly there, it's worth it.

Concession and evaluation '值得' (worth it).

他在坐飞机去伦敦的途中读完了这本书。

He finished reading this book on his way to London by plane.

Using '在...的途中' (on the way).

坐飞机的安全系数其实比开车要高得多。

The safety factor of taking a plane is actually much higher than driving.

Comparative '比...要高得多'.

频繁坐飞机出差使他感到身心疲惫。

Frequent business trips by plane have left him physically and mentally exhausted.

Using '使' (cause/make) and four-character idiom '身心疲惫'.

坐飞机在现代社会已成为一种不可或缺的交通方式。

Taking a plane has become an indispensable mode of transport in modern society.

Formal idiom '不可或缺' (indispensable).

尽管有恐高症，他还是坚持坐飞机完成了旅程。

Despite his fear of heights, he still insisted on taking a plane to complete the journey.

Concession '尽管...还是...'.

坐飞机所产生的碳排放是环保人士关注的焦点。

The carbon emissions produced by flying are a focus of concern for environmentalists.

Passive/Relativized clause '所产生的' (produced by).

他通过坐飞机这种方式，在短短几天内跨越了数个国家。

Through the method of flying, he crossed several countries in just a few days.

Using '通过...这种方式' (through this method).

坐飞机时的那种颠簸感有时会让人感到不安。

That feeling of turbulence when taking a plane can sometimes make people feel uneasy.

Noun phrase with '那种...感' (that feeling of...).

无论坐飞机还是坐轮船，他都会晕机或晕船。

Whether taking a plane or a ship, he gets motion sickness.

Structure '无论...还是...都...'.

坐飞机不仅是空间的跨越，更是文化心理的转换。

Taking a plane is not just a crossing of space, but also a transition of cultural psychology.

Philosophical comparison '不仅是...更是...'.

坐飞机这一行为，在某种程度上消解了地理距离带来的神秘感。

The act of taking a plane has, to some extent, dissipated the sense of mystery brought by geographical distance.

Abstract subject '这一行为' and academic verb '消解'.

他对于坐飞机的厌恶，源于其对现代工业文明流水线式生活的抵触。

His aversion to flying stems from his resistance to the assembly-line life of modern industrial civilization.

Complex causality '源于' (stems from).

在后疫情时代，坐飞机的体验发生了翻天覆地的变化。

In the post-pandemic era, the experience of taking a plane has undergone earth-shaking changes.

Time phrase '在...时代' and idiom '翻天覆地'.

坐飞机所体现的效率至上原则，正是当代社会节奏的缩影。

The principle of 'efficiency first' embodied by air travel is exactly a microcosm of the rhythm of contemporary society.

Academic structure '所体现的...正是...'.

纵使坐飞机的风险极低，某些人依然无法克服内心的焦虑。

Even though the risk of flying is extremely low, some people still cannot overcome their inner anxiety.

Formal concession '纵使...依然...'.

坐飞机跨越时区的过程，常被文学家比作一种时间的偷窃。

The process of crossing time zones by plane is often likened by writers to a kind of theft of time.

Passive structure '被...比作' (be likened to).

对于跨国公司的首席执行官而言，坐飞机几乎等同于日常通勤。

For the CEO of a multinational corporation, taking a plane is almost equivalent to a daily commute.

Structure '等同于' (is equivalent to).

坐飞机去探索未知的领域，一直是人类永恒的梦想之一。

Taking a plane to explore unknown territories has always been one of humanity's eternal dreams.

Gerund subject '坐飞机去探索...'.

Common Collocations

经常坐飞机

坐飞机去

第一次坐飞机

坐飞机的时候

喜欢坐飞机

坐飞机很贵

坐飞机很快

不敢坐飞机

坐飞机回来

坐飞机出差

Common Phrases

坐飞机的感觉

— The feeling or experience of flying.

你还记得第一次坐飞机的感觉吗？

坐飞机的流程

— The procedure for taking a flight (check-in, security, etc.).

他不太熟悉坐飞机的流程。

坐飞机的安全

— Aviation safety or the safety of flying.

大家都很关心坐飞机的安全。

坐飞机的禁忌

— Things one should not do when taking a plane.

你知道坐飞机的禁忌吗？

坐飞机的优势

— The advantages of taking a plane.

坐飞机的优势在于节省时间。

坐飞机的成本

— The cost associated with flying.

我们需要计算坐飞机的成本。

坐飞机的伴侣

— A travel companion on a flight.

他在坐飞机时遇到了一个有趣的伴侣。

坐飞机的恐惧

— Fear of flying (aerophobia).

他正在努力克服坐飞机的恐惧。

坐飞机的频率

— How often one takes a plane.

你坐飞机的频率高吗？

坐飞机的准备

— Preparations for a flight.

出发前，做好坐飞机的准备。

Often Confused With

坐飞机 vs 开飞机

Specifically means to pilot the plane. Don't use it as a passenger.

坐飞机 vs 打飞机

Be very careful; this is a slang term for masturbation. Always use '坐'.

坐飞机 vs 起飞

Means 'to take off'. Don't use it to mean 'to take a plane trip'.

Idioms & Expressions

"如坐飞机"

— To feel like one is on a plane (often used to describe a rapid rise or a dizzying experience).

听了这番话，他感觉心跳加快，如坐飞机一般。

Metaphorical

"一飞冲天"

— To skyrocket; to achieve sudden success. While not containing '坐', it is related to the flight of the '飞机'.

他的事业一飞冲天。

Idiomatic

"稳如泰山"

— Steady as Mount Tai. Often used to describe a smooth flight experience.

这次坐飞机非常稳，稳如泰山。

Idiomatic

"一日千里"

— A thousand miles in a day. Used to describe the speed of modern travel like '坐飞机'.

现代交通发达，坐飞机真是一日千里。

Idiomatic

"空中楼阁"

— Castles in the air. Used to describe unrealistic plans, sometimes punned with air travel.

他的计划简直就是空中楼阁。

Idiomatic

"鹏程万里"

— The roc flies ten thousand miles. A wish for a bright future, often said to students flying abroad.

祝你坐飞机去留学，鹏程万里。

Formal / Blessing

"顺风顺水"

— Smooth sailing (or flying). Often used as a wish for a safe flight.

祝你坐飞机一路顺风顺水。

Idiomatic

"风云变幻"

— Constantly changing situation. Used to describe weather conditions when flying.

坐飞机时，窗外风云变幻。

Literary

"高枕无忧"

— To sleep without worry. Used to describe a safe and comfortable flight.

飞机很安全，你可以高枕无忧。

Idiomatic

"瞬息万变"

— Changing in a split second. Used for the views or conditions during air travel.

坐飞机看云，真是瞬息万变。

Idiomatic

Easily Confused

坐飞机 vs 坐车

Both use '坐'.

'坐车' is for cars/buses, '坐飞机' is for planes.

去机场要坐车，然后坐飞机。

坐飞机 vs 乘坐

Synonyms for 'to take/ride'.

'乘坐' is formal and written; '坐' is casual and spoken.

欢迎乘坐本公司的飞机。

坐飞机 vs 飞行

Both relate to flying.

'飞行' is the technical act of flying; '坐飞机' is the passenger's action.

飞行时间是两小时。

坐飞机 vs 机票

Relates to the plane.

'机票' is the physical ticket; '坐飞机' is the action.

我买了机票坐飞机。

坐飞机 vs 机场

Location vs Action.

'机场' is where you go to '坐飞机'.

我在机场准备坐飞机。

Sentence Patterns

我坐飞机去[Place]。

我坐飞机去北京。

他经常坐飞机[Verb]。

他经常坐飞机出差。

虽然坐飞机很[Adj]，但是很[Adj]。

虽然坐飞机很快，但是很贵。

对于[Person]来说，坐飞机很[Adj]。

对于我来说，坐飞机很刺激。

坐飞机所产生的[Noun]是[Noun]。

坐飞机所产生的噪音是很大的问题。

坐飞机这一[Noun]体现了[Concept]。

坐飞机这一行为体现了人类对速度的追求。

你不喜欢坐飞机吗？

我要坐[Time]的飞机。

我要坐下午三点的飞机。

Word Family

Nouns

飞机 (fēijī) - Airplane

飞机场 (fēijīchǎng) - Airport

飞行员 (fēixíngyuán) - Pilot

机票 (jīpiào) - Plane ticket

Verbs

飞 (fēi) - To fly

飞行 (fēixíng) - To conduct a flight

起飞 (qǐfēi) - To take off

降落 (jiàngluò) - To land

Adjectives

飞快的 (fēikuài de) - Very fast

航空的 (hángkōng de) - Aviation-related

航空公司 (hángkōng gōngsī) - Airline

空姐 (kōngjiě) - Flight attendant

头等舱 (tóuděngcāng) - First class

经济舱 (jīngjìcāng) - Economy class

登机口 (dēngjīkǒu) - Boarding gate

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation and travel contexts.

Common Mistakes

我开飞机去上海。 → 我坐飞机去上海。
Unless you are the pilot, you should use '坐' (sit) instead of '开' (drive/pilot).
我去北京坐飞机。 → 我坐飞机去北京。
The method of transport must come before the destination unless you are literally going to the city to find an airport.
我飞机去美国。 → 我坐飞机去美国。
You cannot use the noun '飞机' as a verb. You need '坐' to make it an action.
坐飞机比坐火车快得很。 → 坐飞机比坐火车快得多。
When comparing, '得多' is the correct complement for 'much more'.
我明天要飞去坐飞机。 → 我明天要坐飞机。
This is redundant. '坐飞机' already implies the act of flying to a place.

Tips

Word Order

Always put '坐飞机' before the main verb of the sentence. It's 'I sit plane go', not 'I go sit plane'.

Tone Accuracy

Make sure 'fei' and 'ji' are both high level tones. If you drop the tone, it might sound like a different word.

Formal Contexts

In business emails or official travel plans, use '乘坐飞机' to sound more professional.

Travel Choice

When talking to Chinese people, comparing '坐飞机' and '坐高铁' is a great conversation starter.

Avoid Slang

Be careful with '打飞机' as it is a vulgar slang term. Stick to '坐' or '乘'.

Visual Aid

Visualize the 'ji' in 'feiji' as a machine with many parts. It helps you remember the complexity of the character.

Conciseness

If you are in a hurry, you can just say '飞北京' (fly to Beijing), but '坐飞机' is more complete.

Asking Questions

Use '...还是...' to ask if someone is flying or taking another transport method.

Context Clues

If you hear '机场', the next word is almost certainly going to be '坐飞机' or '飞机'.

Character Practice

Practice writing '飞' (fly) as it's a very common radical and character in many travel words.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine yourself 'SITTING' (坐) on a 'FLYING' (飞) 'MACHINE' (机). It's a literal description of air travel.

Visual Association

Visualize the character 坐 (zuò) which looks like two people (人人) sitting on the earth (土). Then see them flying in a plane.

Word Web

坐 (sit) 飞 (fly) 机 (machine) 车 (car) 火车 (train) 机场 (airport) 票 (ticket) 去 (go)

Challenge

Try to say 'I take a plane to [your city]' three times fast in Chinese: 我坐飞机去[City].

Word Origin

The phrase is a modern compound. '坐' (zuò) is an ancient character depicting two people sitting on the ground. '飞' (fēi) depicts a bird in flight. '机' (jī) originally referred to a loom or a complex wooden mechanism.

Original meaning: To sit in a flying machine.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be aware that for some elderly people in rural China, '坐飞机' is still a novel or intimidating concept.

In English, we often say 'I'm flying,' but in Chinese, you must specify 'sitting' as a passenger.

The song '我要坐飞机' (I want to take a plane) by various artists. Common tropes in C-Dramas where a character leaves for America by '坐飞机'. News reports on the 'C919', China's first domestically produced large passenger plane.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Travel Agency

我想坐飞机去。
坐飞机多少钱？
有明天的飞机吗？
坐飞机要多久？

Talking to Family

我坐飞机回来。
别担心，坐飞机很安全。
你坐过飞机吗？
我们要坐飞机去旅游。

At the Office

他坐飞机去出差了。
我们需要坐飞机去参加会议。
机票报销吗？
他经常坐飞机。

At the Airport

你在哪儿坐飞机？
我是坐这班飞机。
坐飞机要带护照。
飞机起飞了。

Social Media Status

第一次坐飞机，好紧张！
坐飞机的风景真美。
又要坐飞机了。
坐飞机去度假。

Conversation Starters

"你喜欢坐飞机还是坐火车？ (Do you like taking a plane or a train?)"

"你第一次坐飞机是什么时候？ (When was the first time you took a plane?)"

"你坐过最长的飞机是多久？ (What's the longest flight you've ever taken?)"

"坐飞机的时候你喜欢做什么？ (What do you like to do when taking a plane?)"

"你害怕坐飞机吗？ (Are you afraid of taking a plane?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一下你第一次坐飞机的经历。 (Describe your first experience taking a plane.)

如果你可以坐飞机去世界上任何地方，你想去哪儿？ (If you could take a plane to anywhere in the world, where would you go?)

比较坐飞机和坐高铁的优缺点。 (Compare the pros and cons of taking a plane and taking the high-speed rail.)

写一段关于你在飞机上看到的风景。 (Write a paragraph about the scenery you saw on a plane.)

讨论一下坐飞机对现代生活的影响。 (Discuss the impact of air travel on modern life.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '坐飞机' means you are a passenger. '开飞机' (kāi fēijī) means to pilot the plane. For example, '我坐飞机去北京' means you are traveling as a passenger.

No, that is grammatically incorrect. You must include the verb '坐' (zuò) to indicate the action of using the transport. Say '我坐飞机去上海'.

'坐飞机' is the standard, neutral term used everywhere. '搭飞机' is more informal and common in Southern China or Taiwan. Both are correct.

You say '我从来没坐过飞机' (Wǒ cónglái méi zuòguò fēijī). The '过' indicates past experience.

It is neutral and can be used in almost any situation. For extremely formal announcements, '乘坐飞机' is preferred.

You can say '你坐飞机去吗？' (Nǐ zuò fēijī qù ma?) or '你是坐飞机去还是坐火车去？'

If you are counting the number of times you've flown, use '次' (cì) or '趟' (tàng). For example, '我坐过三次飞机'.

Usually, we specify '坐直升机' (zuò zhíshēngjī) for helicopters, but '坐飞机' is sometimes used broadly for any fixed-wing aircraft.

Say '坐飞机很快' (Zuò fēijī hěn kuài). Here, '坐飞机' acts as the subject of the sentence.

In Chinese, '坐' is used for any vehicle where you are a seated passenger, including cars, trains, buses, and planes. It focuses on the posture of the traveler.