Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “airport” in Chinese! Whether you’re visiting China for business or pleasure, it’s always helpful to know basic vocabulary for navigating your way around. In this guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to say “airport” in Mandarin Chinese, without forgetting to mention any important regional variations. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Airport in Chinese
When speaking in formal contexts or with people you don’t know well, it’s important to use polite and respectful language. Here are some formal ways to say “airport” in Mandarin Chinese:
- 机场 (jīchǎng) – This is the most commonly used term for “airport” throughout China, and it’s suitable for both written and spoken language. Remember to pronounce the tones correctly: jīchǎng.
- 航空站 (hángkōng zhàn) – This term specifically refers to an “aviation station” and can be used interchangeably with 机场 (jīchǎng).
- 航站楼 (hángzhànlóu) – This term is used to describe the “terminal” or “terminal building” of an airport. Keep in mind that it refers to a specific area within the airport.
Informal Ways to Say Airport in Chinese
When interacting with friends, family, or in more casual situations, you can use these informal ways to say “airport” in Mandarin Chinese:
- 飞机场 (fēijīchǎng) – This term combines the words “airplane” (飞机 fēijī) and “field” (场 chǎng) to form “airplane field.” It’s a slightly more relaxed and friendly way to refer to an airport.
- 飞机站 (fēijīzhàn) – Similar to 飞机场 (fēijīchǎng), this term combines the words “airplane” (飞机 fēijī) and “station” (站 zhàn), resulting in “airplane station.” It’s casual, commonly used among friends.
- 飞机塔 (fēijītǎ) – Literally meaning “airplane tower,” this term is often used in a playful or lighthearted manner among acquaintances.
Regional Variations
While Mandarin Chinese is the official language of China, there are several regional variations when it comes to saying “airport.” Here are a few examples:
Cantonese:
If you find yourself in southern China or Hong Kong, where Cantonese is spoken, you can use the following terms:
- 機場 (gei1 coeng4) – Pronounced as “gei coeng,” this is the Cantonese equivalent to 机场 (jīchǎng) in Mandarin.
- 機塲 (gei1 coeng4) – Another Cantonese variation for “airport,” commonly used in conversation.
- 飛機站 (fei1 gei1 zaam6) – Equivalent to 飞机站 (fēijīzhàn) in Mandarin, this term is widely used in Cantonese.
Taiwanese Hokkien:
If you’re traveling to Taiwan, where Taiwanese Hokkien is spoken, you can use these terms:
- 飛機埕 (huī-kî tìng) – Pronounced as “hui-ki ting,” this is the Taiwanese Hokkien term for “airport.” It’s commonly used when speaking in the Taiwanese dialect.
- 機場 (ki-tiûⁿ) – This term is borrowed from Mandarin and understood by Taiwanese Hokkien speakers. It closely resembles the Mandarin pronunciation of 机场 (jīchǎng).
Tips and Examples
To help you remember and use these phrases effectively, here are some tips and examples:
Tone Pronunciation:
It’s crucial to pronounce the tones correctly in Mandarin Chinese. Here’s a breakdown of the tones for the formal and informal phrases we discussed:
机场 (jīchǎng) – Pronounced as “jee-chang,” with the first tone on both syllables.
航空站 (hángkōng zhàn) – Pronounced as “hahng-kohng zhan,” with the third tone on the first syllable and neutral tone on the second.
飞机场 (fēijīchǎng) – Pronounced as “fei-jee-chang,” with the second tone on the first and third syllables and the first tone on the second.
飞机站 (fēijīzhàn) – Pronounced as “fei-jee-zhan,” with the second tone on the first syllable and the neutral tone on the second.
Using Phrases in Sentences:
Let’s see these phrases in action:
Formal:
我想去机场坐飞机回家。
Translation: “I want to go to the airport to take a flight home.”
Informal:
我们昨天一起去飞机塔拍照。
Translation: “We went to the airport tower together yesterday to take photos.”
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now know how to say “airport” in both formal and informal contexts in Mandarin Chinese. Remember to use the formal phrases when speaking with unfamiliar people or in professional settings. If you encounter regional variations like Cantonese or Taiwanese Hokkien, you can confidently navigate the topic of airports using the specified phrases. Practicing these terms will undoubtedly enhance your communication skills and make your travel experiences in China or Chinese-speaking regions smoother. Enjoy your journey!
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