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A2 noun 8 min read

交通费

jiaotongfei

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 交通费 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 交通费 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize '交通费' as a word related to money and travel. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just understand that '交通' means transport and '费' means fee. Think of it as the money you put on your bus card or pay for a taxi. You might hear it when someone asks 'How much is the cost?' (多少钱？) in a travel context. Focus on the basic structure: 'My transportation fee' (我的交通费). This level is about building the foundation that travel costs money, and this is the formal word for that cost. You can use it simply: 'Transportation fee is 10 yuan' (交通费十块钱). It is a very useful word because it combines two other useful words you will learn early on: traffic and fee. By learning this early, you start to see how Chinese builds big words from smaller, logical blocks, which is the key to mastering the language quickly and efficiently.

At the A2 level, you are expected to use '交通费' in daily conversations about your life and work. You should be able to talk about your monthly budget or ask simple questions about travel costs. You should know common verbs like '花' (huā - to spend) and '有' (yǒu - to have). For example, 'I spend a lot of money on transportation fees' (我花很多钱在交通费上). You should also be able to understand when a tour or a service says 'includes transportation' (包交通费). This is the level where you start distinguishing between different types of fees like '学费' (tuition) and '水费' (water bill). You are moving from just recognizing the word to being able to place it in a sentence with a subject and a verb. You can describe your commute: 'I take the subway, so my transportation fee is not high' (我坐地铁，所以交通费不高). This level is about practical, daily usage and basic financial planning in Chinese.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '交通费' in professional and social contexts. You should know the word '报销' (bàoxiāo - to reimburse) and be able to ask your boss or HR about company policies. You can discuss the pros and cons of different modes of transport based on their cost. For example, 'Although the high-speed rail is fast, the transportation fee is higher than the bus' (虽然高铁很快，但是交通费比公车高). You should be able to read short articles or news snippets about the cost of living and identify '交通费' as a key economic factor. Your sentences should become more complex, using conjunctions like '因为...所以...' (because... therefore...). You might also start using '交通补贴' (transportation subsidy) in discussions about job benefits. At B1, you are not just talking about your own money, but discussing the concept of transportation costs in a broader, more abstract way, such as comparing the costs between two different cities or countries.

At the B2 level, you can use '交通费' to discuss more complex economic and social issues. You can talk about how '交通费' impacts a company's bottom line or how rising fuel prices affect the general public. You should be able to use the word in formal reports or presentations. For instance, 'We need to reduce our project's transportation fees to stay within budget' (我们需要降低项目的交通费以保持在预算内). You should understand the nuance between '交通费' and '差旅费' (travel expenses) or '运费' (shipping). You can debate the fairness of public transport price hikes. Your vocabulary around this word should expand to include terms like '上涨' (rise), '下降' (fall), '预算' (budget), and '成本' (cost). At B2, you are expected to have a fluid command of the word, using it naturally in both spoken and written formal Chinese without hesitation, and understanding its implications in a business or governmental context.

At the C1 level, '交通费' is a word you use with precision in high-level professional, academic, or legal contexts. You can analyze the structure of transportation costs in a logistical framework. You might discuss the 'per capita transportation fee' (人均交通费) in a sociological study or the 'deductibility of transportation fees' in a tax discussion. You should be able to understand and use idiomatic expressions or very formal synonyms when appropriate. You can read complex financial statements where '交通费' might be categorized under 'operating expenses' (营业费用). Your ability to explain the nuances of the word to others, including its etymological roots and its role in modern Chinese society, should be high. You can write persuasive essays on urban planning, arguing how lower transportation fees can lead to better social mobility. At this level, the word is a tool for sophisticated analysis and professional communication, and you can use it in any register from slang to extremely formal legal Chinese.

At the C2 level, your mastery of '交通费' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use the term in the context of macro-economic theory, discussing how transportation fees influence international trade or regional development. You can effortlessly switch between different terms like '物流成本' (logistics costs) and '交通费' depending on the specific technical context. You can appreciate and use the word in literature or high-level journalism to evoke specific social realities. You understand the historical evolution of how these fees were collected and discussed in China. Whether you are drafting a corporate policy, participating in a high-level government forum, or writing a dissertation on urban economics, you use '交通费' and its related concepts with absolute accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and stylistic flair. You can handle complex negotiations involving transportation budgets with ease, understanding the underlying financial and legal implications of every term used.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

交通费 in 30 Seconds

交通费 (jiāotōng fèi) means transportation fee or travel expenses, covering buses, trains, taxis, and flights.
It is a compound of 交通 (transport) and 费 (fee), used in both personal and professional contexts.
Commonly used with verbs like 报销 (reimburse), 支付 (pay), and 节省 (save).
Essential for business travelers and residents in China to manage budgets and company claims.

The Chinese term 交通费 (jiāotōng fèi) is a compound noun that translates directly to 'transportation fee' or 'travel expenses.' It is an essential vocabulary item for anyone navigating life in a Chinese-speaking environment, whether for work, study, or tourism. The word is composed of two primary parts: 交通 (jiāotōng), meaning traffic or transportation, and 费 (fèi), meaning fee, cost, or expense. This term is ubiquitous in professional settings where employees discuss reimbursement, in personal budgeting where one calculates monthly outlays, and in travel planning where logistics are prioritized.

Daily Commuting: When living in a city like Beijing or Shanghai, your daily 交通费 includes the money spent on the subway (地铁), buses (公交车), and occasionally taxis (出租车) or ride-hailing services like Didi (滴滴).

我每个月的交通费大约是五百元。(My monthly transportation fee is about 500 yuan.)

In a corporate context, 交通费 specifically refers to the costs incurred while traveling for business purposes. This might include airfare, train tickets, or fuel costs for a personal vehicle used for work. Understanding this word is crucial when filling out expense reports or discussing contract benefits, such as a 'transportation allowance' (交通补贴). The scope of the word is broad; it covers any monetary cost associated with moving people or goods from one location to another, though it is most commonly applied to passenger travel.

Business Reimbursement: If you go on a business trip, you must keep all your receipts (发票) to claim your 交通费 from the finance department.

请把你的交通费发票给我。(Please give me your transportation fee receipts.)

Furthermore, the concept of 交通费 extends to the macro level. Governments analyze the average 交通费 of citizens to determine the cost of living and to adjust public transit subsidies. For a student, the 交通费 might be a significant portion of their monthly budget, leading them to look for student discounts on high-speed rail or bus passes. By mastering this term, you unlock the ability to discuss financial logistics, urban life, and professional administration with ease. It is a foundational brick in the wall of Chinese financial and logistical vocabulary.

Using 交通费 (jiāotōng fèi) correctly requires understanding its role as a noun and the verbs that commonly accompany it. In Chinese, nouns like this are often the object of verbs related to payment, budgeting, or reimbursement. The most common verbs you will encounter are 支付 (zhīfù - to pay), 报销 (bàoxiāo - to reimburse), 节省 (jiéshěng - to save/economize), and 包含 (bāohán - to include).

Action: Paying: When you are the one spending the money, you use 支付 or 花 (huā - to spend).

这次旅行，我们花了三千元在交通费上。(For this trip, we spent 3,000 yuan on transportation fees.)

In a professional setting, the word is frequently paired with 报销. This is vital for anyone working in a Chinese office. You might ask, 'Can I reimburse my transportation fees?' (我可以报销交通费吗？). Note how the noun stays consistent regardless of the mode of transport; whether it's a plane ticket or a subway fare, it all falls under the umbrella of 交通费. This makes it a very efficient word to use when you don't want to list every specific type of fare.

Action: Saving: To talk about reducing costs, use 节省 or 降低 (jiàngdī - to lower).

骑自行车上班可以节省很多交通费。(Going to work by bike can save a lot of transportation fees.)

When constructing more complex sentences, 交通费 can serve as the subject. For example, 'Transportation fees are rising' (交通费正在上涨). It can also be modified by adjectives to describe the nature of the expense, such as '昂贵的交通费' (expensive transportation fees) or '额外的交通费' (additional transportation fees). By varying the verbs and adjectives, you can express a wide range of financial situations related to movement and logistics.

In the real world, you will encounter 交通费 (jiāotōng fèi) in several distinct environments. The most common is the **corporate office**. If you are employed in China, the HR or Finance department will frequently use this term during orientation or when discussing travel policies. You will see it on digital forms, in employee handbooks, and in emails regarding business trips. Understanding this word ensures you are correctly compensated for your out-of-pocket expenses.

In the Office: Managers often discuss the budget for a project, where 交通费 is a line item that must be controlled and justified.

公司会补贴我们的交通费。(The company will subsidize our transportation fees.)

Another place you'll hear this is in **travel agencies and on booking websites**. When you look at a tour itinerary for a trip to Yunnan or Tibet, the fine print will specify whether the quoted price includes 交通费. If it says '交通费自理' (jiāotōng fèi zìlǐ), it means you are responsible for paying your own transportation costs. This is a vital phrase for travelers to recognize to avoid unexpected expenses.

In News and Media: News reports on inflation often mention the rising 交通费 as a factor affecting the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

油价上涨导致交通费也跟着涨了。(Rising oil prices have caused transportation fees to rise as well.)

Lastly, you will hear it in **daily social interactions** when friends compare the cost of living in different cities. Someone might say, 'London is great, but the 交通费 is too high.' This usage is slightly more formal than saying 'bus fare' but fits perfectly in a conversation about economics or planning. Whether you are reading a financial report or chatting about your commute, 交通费 is the standard term for the price of movement.

While 交通费 (jiāotōng fèi) is a straightforward term, English speakers often make mistakes by using it in contexts where a more specific word is required, or by confusing it with related terms like 车费 (chēfèi), 路费 (lùfèi), or 运费 (yùnfèi). Understanding these nuances is the key to sounding like a native speaker.

Confusion with 车费 (chēfèi): 车费 refers specifically to 'vehicle fare' (bus, taxi, car). 交通费 is the broader category. If you are just paying for a single taxi ride, say 车费. If you are talking about your total monthly travel budget, use 交通费.

Wrong: 我要付这个出租车的交通费。
Right: 我要付这个出租车的车费。(I need to pay the taxi fare.)

Another common error is using 交通费 when you actually mean 运费 (yùnfèi). 运费 refers to the 'shipping' or 'freight' cost of sending an object (like a package from Taobao). 交通费 is for the movement of people. If you use 交通费 to describe a delivery charge, a native speaker will understand you, but it will sound slightly off. Similarly, 路费 (lùfèi) is an older, more colloquial term that often implies 'money for the road,' including snacks and small expenses during a long journey, whereas 交通费 is strictly the transit cost.

Grammar: Misplacing the '费': Some learners try to say '交通的费'. In Chinese, compound nouns for fees don't use '的'. It is always [Category] + 费. (e.g., 学费, 水费, 电费).

Wrong: 这个月的交通的费很贵。
Right: 这个月的交通费很贵。(This month's transportation fees are expensive.)

Lastly, be careful with the verb 报销 (bàoxiāo). You 报销交通费, you don't '还' (huán - return/repay) it. In English, we might say 'the company paid me back for travel,' but in Chinese, the specific administrative term 报销 is much more appropriate. Using the wrong verb can make a professional request sound amateurish.

To broaden your vocabulary, it is helpful to compare 交通费 (jiāotōng fèi) with its synonyms and related terms. Each has a slightly different shade of meaning or is used in a specific context. By learning these, you can choose the most precise word for your situation.

车费 (chēfèi) vs. 交通费: 车费 is specific to vehicles (cars, buses). 交通费 is the general category including planes, trains, and ferries. Use 车费 for your bus ride; use 交通费 for your overall travel budget.

路费 (lùfèi) vs. 交通费: 路费 is a more traditional term for 'traveling expenses.' It often suggests the money needed to get from one city to another, sometimes including food or tolls. 交通费 is more modern and formal.

回家过年的路费挺贵的。(The travel expenses to go home for New Year are quite high.)

Another important term is 差旅费 (chāilǚ fèi). This specifically refers to 'business trip expenses.' While 交通费 is just for the transit, 差旅费 covers everything: transportation, hotels (住宿费), and meals (餐费). If you are asking about a total reimbursement package for a work trip, 差旅费 is the better word. If you are only talking about the plane ticket, 交通费 is more accurate.

票价 (piàojià) vs. 交通费: 票价 refers specifically to the 'ticket price.' 交通费 is the 'fee/expense.' You ask 'What is the ticket price?' (票价是多少？) but you say 'My transportation expenses were high' (我的交通费很高).

In summary, choose 交通费 for general transit expenses, 车费 for specific local fares, 差旅费 for all-inclusive work trips, and 运费 for objects. Mastering these distinctions will make your Chinese sound precise and professional.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Chinese, '交通' was often used to describe social connections or even illicit relationships. It wasn't until modern times that it became the standard word for cars and trains!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒjaʊ tʊŋ feɪ/

US /dʒjaʊ tʊŋ feɪ/

The emphasis is usually evenly distributed, but 'fei' (the fourth tone) carries a sharper downward force.

Rhymes With

费 (fèi) rhymes with 内 (nèi) 对 (duì) 退 (tuì) 贵 (guì) 睡 (shuì) 味 (wèi) 会 (huì) 位 (wèi)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'fei' as 'fee' in English (it should sound like 'fay').
Mixing up the tones, especially making 'jiao' a third tone instead of a first tone.
Incorrectly stressing the middle syllable 'tong'.
Confusing the 'j' sound with a hard 'zh' sound.
Failing to make 'fei' a clear falling tone.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are common and the logic is straightforward.

Writing 3/5

The character '费' can be a bit tricky to write correctly.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is clear, though tones must be precise.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognizable in travel or office contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

交通费钱坐车

Learn Next

报销补贴发票差旅费预算

Advanced

物流成本基础设施宏观调控审计支出

Grammar to Know

Noun Compounds

交通 + 费 = 交通费 (No '的' needed).

Verb-Object Structures

付 (Verb) + 交通费 (Object).

Measure Words

一笔交通费 (A sum of transportation fees).

Adjective Placement

昂贵的交通费 (Adjective + 的 + Noun).

Negative Sentences

不包含交通费 (Does not include...).

Examples by Level

交通费多少钱？

How much is the transportation fee?

A simple question using '多少钱' (how much money).

交通费五块钱。

The transportation fee is five yuan.

A basic subject-predicate sentence.

我的交通费不多。

My transportation fee is not much.

Using '不多' to describe a small quantity.

他没有交通费。

He doesn't have transportation money.

Negative sentence using '没有'.

这是交通费。

This is the transportation fee.

Using '这是' to identify an object.

交通费很贵。

The transportation fee is very expensive.

Using the adjective '贵' (expensive) with the intensifier '很'.

我们要付交通费。

We need to pay transportation fees.

Using the auxiliary verb '要' (need to/want to).

公交车交通费便宜。

Bus transportation fees are cheap.

Using the adjective '便宜' (cheap).

我每个月花五百元交通费。

I spend 500 yuan on transportation fees every month.

Using '花' (to spend) + [Amount] + [Noun].

你可以报销交通费吗？

Can you reimburse the transportation fees?

Introducing the business term '报销' (reimburse).

这个旅游包不含交通费。

This tour package does not include transportation fees.

Using '不含' (does not include).

骑车上班可以省交通费。

Biking to work can save transportation fees.

Using '省' (to save/economize).

这里的交通费比北京低。

The transportation fees here are lower than in Beijing.

A comparison sentence using 'A 比 B + Adjective'.

我忘了带交通费。

I forgot to bring the transportation money.

Using the verb '忘了' (forgot).

交通费包含在学费里。

Transportation fees are included in the tuition.

Using the structure '包含在...里' (included in...).

出租车的交通费太高了。

The transportation fee for the taxi is too high.

Using '太...了' for emphasis.

公司每个月提供三百元的交通补贴。

The company provides a 300 yuan transportation allowance every month.

Using '提供' (provide) and '补贴' (subsidy/allowance).

由于油价上涨，交通费也增加了。

Due to rising oil prices, transportation fees have also increased.

Using '由于...也...' (due to... also...).

为了节省交通费，他决定步行。

In order to save transportation fees, he decided to walk.

Using '为了...决定...' (In order to... decided...).

这张发票是用来报销交通费的。

This receipt is for reimbursing transportation fees.

Using '是用来...的' (is used for...).

出差的交通费由公司承担。

The transportation fees for the business trip are covered by the company.

Using '由...承担' (to be borne/covered by...).

请计算一下这次旅行的总交通费。

Please calculate the total transportation fees for this trip.

Using '计算' (calculate) and '总' (total).

如果坐飞机，交通费会非常昂贵。

If you take a plane, the transportation fee will be very expensive.

A conditional sentence using '如果...会...'.

交通费是家庭支出的重要部分。

Transportation fees are an important part of household expenses.

Using '...是...的部分' (...is a part of...).

城市规划应当考虑到居民的交通费负担。

Urban planning should take into account the transportation fee burden of residents.

Using '考虑到' (take into account) and '负担' (burden).

这项政策旨在降低低收入人群的交通费。

This policy aims to reduce transportation fees for low-income groups.

Using '旨在' (aims to) and '低收入人群' (low-income group).

交通费的上涨直接影响了人们的出行意愿。

The rise in transportation fees has directly affected people's willingness to travel.

Using '直接影响' (directly affects) and '出行意愿' (willingness to travel).

我们需要对交通费进行更严格的审计。

We need to conduct a stricter audit of transportation fees.

Using '进行...审计' (conduct an audit of...).

虽然基础交通费不高，但附加费用很多。

Although the basic transportation fee is not high, there are many additional costs.

Using '虽然...但...' and '附加费用' (additional fees).

该项目的预算中，交通费占了百分之二十。

In the project budget, transportation fees account for 20 percent.

Using '占了' (accounts for/occupies).

通过优化路线，我们大幅降低了交通费。

By optimizing routes, we have significantly reduced transportation fees.

Using '通过...大幅降低' (through... significantly reduced).

报销交通费时必须附上原始凭证。

Original vouchers must be attached when reimbursing transportation fees.

Using '必须附上' (must attach) and '原始凭证' (original voucher).

交通费的波动反映了能源市场的宏观变化。

Fluctuations in transportation fees reflect macro changes in the energy market.

Using '波动' (fluctuation) and '宏观变化' (macro changes).

政府通过补贴公共交通来平抑居民的交通费支出。

The government subsidizes public transport to stabilize residents' transportation expenses.

Using '平抑' (to stabilize/suppress) and '支出' (expenditure).

在评估生活成本时，交通费是一个不可忽视的变量。

When assessing the cost of living, transportation fees are a non-negligible variable.

Using '不可忽视' (non-negligible) and '变量' (variable).

企业应当建立完善的交通费报销审核机制。

Enterprises should establish a sound audit mechanism for transportation fee reimbursement.

Using '完善的' (sound/complete) and '审核机制' (audit mechanism).

交通费的差异导致了区域经济发展的不平衡。

Differences in transportation fees have led to imbalanced regional economic development.

Using '差异' (difference) and '不平衡' (imbalance).

该报告详细分析了交通费对劳动力流动的影响。

The report provides a detailed analysis of the impact of transportation fees on labor mobility.

Using '详细分析' (detailed analysis) and '劳动力流动' (labor mobility).

随着共享经济的发展，传统的交通费结构正在发生变化。

With the development of the sharing economy, the traditional structure of transportation fees is changing.

Using '随着...正在发生变化' (with... is currently changing).

我们需要探讨如何通过技术手段降低长途交通费。

We need to explore how to reduce long-distance transportation fees through technical means.

Using '探讨' (explore/discuss) and '技术手段' (technical means).

交通费的边际成本递减是现代物流体系的核心特征之一。

The diminishing marginal cost of transportation fees is one of the core characteristics of modern logistics systems.

Using technical terms like '边际成本' (marginal cost) and '递减' (diminishing).

在全球化背景下，跨境交通费的优化对供应链管理至关重要。

In the context of globalization, the optimization of cross-border transportation fees is crucial for supply chain management.

Using '至关重要' (crucial) and '供应链管理' (supply chain management).

交通费支出在不同阶层间的分配差异折射出深层的社会不公。

The difference in the distribution of transportation fee expenditures among different classes reflects deep-seated social injustice.

Using '折射出' (reflects) and '社会不公' (social injustice).

政府必须在维持交通费廉价与交通基础设施可持续性之间寻求平衡。

The government must strike a balance between maintaining low transportation fees and the sustainability of transportation infrastructure.

Using '寻求平衡' (seek a balance) and '可持续性' (sustainability).

交通费的定价策略往往受到政治因素与市场机制的双重制约。

The pricing strategy of transportation fees is often constrained by both political factors and market mechanisms.

Using '双重制约' (dual constraints).

该论文深入剖析了交通费补贴对城市蔓延的诱导作用。

The paper provides an in-depth analysis of the inductive effect of transportation fee subsidies on urban sprawl.

Using '深入剖析' (deeply analyze) and '城市蔓延' (urban sprawl).

数字货币的应用可能会彻底改变交通费的支付与结算流程。

The application of digital currency may completely change the payment and settlement process for transportation fees.

Using '彻底改变' (completely change) and '结算流程' (settlement process).

从历史维度看，交通费的降低是推动人类文明进步的关键动力。

From a historical perspective, the reduction of transportation fees has been a key driver in the progress of human civilization.

Using '历史维度' (historical dimension) and '关键动力' (key driver).

Common Collocations

支付交通费

报销交通费

节省交通费

昂贵的交通费

交通费补贴

总交通费

额外的交通费

交通费预算

降低交通费

包含交通费

Common Phrases

交通费自理

— You must pay for your own transportation.

这次活动交通费自理。

实报实销

— Reimburse based on actual receipts.

我们的交通费是实报实销的。

交通费上涨

— Transportation fees are rising.

交通费上涨影响了生活。

交通费发票

— Receipt for transportation fees.

请收好交通费发票。

交通费标准

— Standard for transportation reimbursement.

公司有明确的交通费标准。

人均交通费

— Average transportation fee per person.

人均交通费每月三百元。

交通费结余

— Surplus of transportation funds.

年底交通费还有结余。

交通费明细

— Details of transportation expenses.

这是我的交通费明细。

申请交通费

— Apply for transportation funds.

他正在申请交通费。

交通费全免

— Transportation is completely free.

学生交通费全免。

Often Confused With

交通费 vs 车费

Specific to cars/buses; 交通费 is the general category.

交通费 vs 运费

Shipping goods; 交通费 is for moving people.

交通费 vs 路费

Colloquial/Old-fashioned travel money; 交通费 is modern/standard.

Idioms & Expressions

"自掏腰包"

— To pay out of one's own pocket.

他只能自掏腰包付交通费。

Informal

"精打细算"

— To budget carefully.

他精打细算，省下了不少交通费。

Neutral

"开源节流"

— To increase income and reduce spending.

公司通过开源节流，降低了交通费。

Formal

"捉襟见肘"

— To be short of money; barely making ends meet.

交通费一涨，他的生活就捉襟见肘了。

Literary

"大手大脚"

— To spend money wastefully.

他花交通费大手大脚的。

Informal

"名目繁多"

— Items of all sorts and descriptions.

报销单上交通费名目繁多。

Formal

"入不敷出"

— Income cannot cover expenses.

交通费太高，导致他入不敷出。

Formal

"省吃俭用"

— To live frugally.

他省吃俭用，只为省下一点交通费。

Neutral

"不计其数"

— Countless.

他付过的交通费不计其数。

Literary

"微不足道"

— Insignificant.

这点交通费对他来说微不足道。

Neutral

Easily Confused

交通费 vs 学费

Both end in '费'.

学费 is for school; 交通费 is for travel.

我交了学费，还没交交通费。

交通费 vs 水费

Common utility fee.

水费 is for water usage.

这个月水费和交通费都很贵。

交通费 vs 小费

Sounds similar.

小费 is a tip; 交通费 is the transit cost.

在中国不需要给司机小费，但要付交通费。

交通费 vs 门票

Both involve travel/entry.

门票 is an entrance ticket; 交通费 is the cost to get there.

门票五十元，交通费二十元。

交通费 vs 邮费

Involves movement.

邮费 is for mail; 交通费 is for people.

邮费很便宜，但交通费很贵。

Sentence Patterns

交通费 + [Number] + 元。

交通费十元。

我 + 花了 + [Amount] + 交通费。

我花了五十元交通费。

[Something] + 可以 + 省 + 交通费。

坐公交可以省交通费。

公司 + 报销 + [Person] + 的 + 交通费。

公司报销我的交通费。

由于 + [Reason] + ，交通费 + [Verb] + 了。

由于油价上涨，交通费增加了。

交通费 + 占了 + [Percentage]。

交通费占了预算的百分之十。

在...中，交通费是一个...变量。

在生活成本中，交通费是一个关键变量。

[Abstract Concept] + 折射出 + 交通费的...。

社会结构折射出交通费的分配差异。

Word Family

Nouns

交通 (transport)

费用 (fee/cost)

费率 (rate)

交通网 (transport network)

交通工具 (means of transport)

Verbs

通 (to go through)

交 (to cross/hand over)

费 (to spend - archaic/specific contexts)

交通 (to communicate - archaic)

Adjectives

费力 (strenuous)

费钱 (expensive)

通畅 (smooth/unobstructed)

车费

路费

差旅费

油费

停车费

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in urban life and business.

Common Mistakes

Using 交通费 for shipping packages. → 运费 (yùnfèi)
交通费 is for people; 运费 is for goods.
Saying '交通的费'. → 交通费
Compound nouns for fees don't use '的'.
Using '还' (huán) instead of '报销' (bàoxiāo). → 报销交通费
'报销' is the specific term for business reimbursement.
Pronouncing 'fei' as 'fee'. → fèi (sounds like 'fay')
The 'ei' sound in Pinyin is like the 'ay' in 'day'.
Confusing 交通费 with 门票 (entrance ticket). → 交通费
交通费 is for getting there; 门票 is for getting in.

Tips

Master the 'Fei' Suffix

Learn '费' once and you can understand dozens of Chinese words like water fee, electricity fee, and tuition.

Always Keep Receipts

In China, you cannot reimburse 交通费 without a '发票' (official receipt).

Check the 'Zili'

If a tour says '交通费自理', it means you pay for your own transit. Don't be surprised!

No 'De' Needed

Compound nouns for fees never use '的'. It's 交通费, not 交通的费.

Tone Matters

Ensure 'fei' is the 4th tone so you don't confuse it with other sounds.

Hospitality

Offering to pay someone's 交通费 is a very polite gesture in China.

Track the Small Stuff

Daily subway rides add up to a significant 交通费 over a month.

Synonym Choice

Use '车费' for taxis and '交通费' for your overall monthly budget.

Macro vs Micro

交通费 can mean your 5 yuan bus fare or a city's billion-yuan transit budget.

Radical Recognition

The bottom of 费 is 贝, which means money. This helps you remember it's about cost.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jiao' as 'Join', 'Tong' as 'Tunnel', and 'Fei' as 'Fee'. You pay a Fee to Join the Tunnel of transport.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant coin with a picture of a bus and a train on it. That coin is a '交通费'.

Word Web

地铁公交出租车飞机火车报销发票钱包

Challenge

Try to calculate your own 交通费 for the last week in Chinese and write it down.

Word Origin

The term is a modern compound. '交' (jiāo) originally meant to cross or exchange. '通' (tōng) meant to pass through or connect. Together, '交通' originally meant 'intercourse' or 'communication' before shifting to 'traffic' and 'transport' in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Original meaning: Communication/Intercourse Cost.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that for some low-income workers, high 交通费 is a significant social burden.

In the West, we often say 'commuter costs' or 'travel expenses.' '交通费' is the direct equivalent used in similar urban contexts.

Spring Festival Travel Rush (春运) news reports. Corporate reimbursement policies in Chinese tech giants like Alibaba or Tencent. Urban planning documents for the Greater Bay Area.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Office/Work

报销交通费
交通费发票
交通费补贴
差旅费标准

Travel/Tourism

包含交通费
交通费自理
往返交通费
交通费明细

Daily Life

每月的交通费
省交通费
交通费很贵
支付交通费

News/Economy

交通费上涨
交通费指数
降低交通费
交通费负担

Education

学生交通费
交通费减免
申请交通费
校车交通费

Conversation Starters

"你每个月的交通费大概是多少？"

"在你的城市，交通费贵吗？"

"你们公司可以报销加班的交通费吗？"

"你觉得骑自行车能省下多少交通费？"

"这次去上海旅游，你预算了多少交通费？"

Journal Prompts

记录你这一周的所有交通费，看看哪里可以节省。

讨论一下你认为政府是否应该降低公共交通的交通费。

描述一次因为交通费太贵而改变旅行计划的经历。

如果你有一笔专门的交通费补贴，你会怎么使用它？

比较一下你家乡和现在居住城市的交通费水平。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 交通费 only covers transportation. Hotel costs are called '住宿费' (zhùsù fèi). Together they might be called '差旅费'.

Yes, 交通费 is a general term that includes planes, trains, and buses.

You can say '请给我一张交通费发票' (Please give me a transportation fee receipt).

No, for shipping you should use '运费' (yùnfèi).

It can be, especially in a business context, but specifically it's often called '油费' (yóufèi).

It is called '交通补贴' (jiāotōng bǔtiē).

It is a neutral to formal term. In very casual speech, people might say '车费'.

No, that is grammatically incorrect. It is always '交通费'.

No, walking is free! 交通费 implies a monetary cost paid to a service or for fuel.

You say '含交通费' (hán jiāotōng fèi) or '包交通费' (bāo jiāotōng fèi).