3 · 40 words

Traffic and road safety

Crossings, rules, accidents and the words a driver and a pedestrian need.

Traffic Chinese is full of short forms: 交警(jiāojǐng) for the traffic police, 驾照(jiàzhào) for a driving licence, 酒驾(jiǔjià) for drink-driving. Each is cut from a longer formal word, and the short form is the one people actually say. Note what is done to a red light: it is not run but "barged through", 闯红灯(chuǎnghóngdēng).

The words

Verb (13)

驾驶(jiàshǐ)to drive (a vehicle)Verb3

长(cháng)时间(shíjiān)驾驶(jiàshǐ)很(hěn)累(lèi)，要(yào)停(tíng)下来(xiàlai)休息(xiūxi)。Driving for a long time is tiring; you should stop and rest.

Formal; in conversation 开车(kāichē).

违反(wéifǎn)to break (a rule); to violateVerb3

闯红灯(chuǎnghóngdēng)是(shì)违反(wéifǎn)交通规则(jiāotōngguīzé)的(de)。Going through a red light is against the traffic rules.

闯红灯(chuǎnghóngdēng)to go through a red lightVerb3

有些(yǒuxiē)人(rén)看(kàn)没(méi)车(chē)就(jiù)闯红灯(chuǎnghóngdēng)。Some people cross on red as soon as they see no cars coming.

Said of drivers and pedestrians alike.

罚款(fákuǎn)to fine; fineVerb3

他(tā)因为(yīnwèi)开(kāi)得(de)太(tài)快(kuài)被(bèi)罚款(fákuǎn)两百(liǎngbǎi)块(kuài)。He was fined two hundred yuan for driving too fast.

停车(tíngchē)to park; to stop (a vehicle)Verb3

学校(xuéxiào)门口(ménkǒu)不(bú)让(ràng)停车(tíngchē)。Parking is not allowed outside the school gate.

超速(chāosù)to speed; to exceed the speed limitVerb3

你(nǐ)开(kāi)得(de)太(tài)快(kuài)了(le)，已经(yǐjīng)超速(chāosù)了(le)！You are driving too fast; you are already over the limit!

限速(xiànsù)to limit the speed; speed limitVerb3

这(zhè)条(tiáo)路(lù)限速(xiànsù)六十(liùshí)公里(gōnglǐ)。The speed limit on this road is sixty kilometres an hour.

减速(jiǎnsù)to slow downVerb3

学校(xuéxiào)附近(fùjìn)请(qǐng)减速(jiǎnsù)慢行(mànxíng)。Slow down near the school.

A road sign phrase; in conversation 开(kāi)慢(màn)点儿(diǎnr).

拐弯(guǎiwān)to turn a cornerVerb3

拐弯(guǎiwān)的(de)时候(shíhou)要(yào)慢(màn)一点儿(yìdiǎnr)。Slow down a little when you turn a corner.

掉头(diàotóu)to make a U-turn; to turn roundVerb3

走错(zǒucuò)了(le)，前面(qiánmiàn)掉头(diàotóu)吧(ba)。We have gone the wrong way; turn round up ahead.

刹车(shāchē)to brake; brakeVerb3

前面(qiánmiàn)的(de)车(chē)突然(tūrán)刹车(shāchē)，我(wǒ)差点儿(chàdiǎnr)撞上(zhuàngshàng)。The car in front braked suddenly, and I almost ran into it.

撞(zhuàng)to hit; to crash intoVerb3

一(yí)辆(liàng)车(chē)撞(zhuàng)在(zài)了(le)树(shù)上(shàng)。A car crashed into a tree.

鸣笛(míngdí)to sound the hornVerb3

医院(yīyuàn)附近(fùjìn)不(bù)能(néng)鸣笛(míngdí)。You must not sound your horn near the hospital.

Written, on signs; in conversation 按(àn)喇叭(lǎba).

This list belongs to Getting around and travelling — nine lists and 361 words that can also be practised as a whole.

Practise this list

Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 40 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.