开车注意安全
kāichē zhùyì ānquán
The English phrase "drive safe" can be translated into Chinese as 开车注意安全 (kāichē zhùyì ānquán).
开车注意安全 is used to tell someone to be careful while driving a vehicle. It is a common parting remark when someone is about to depart in a vehicle.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 开车 (drive a car), 注意 (pay attention to/notice) and 安全 (safety/safe).
Which one should you use?
While 开车注意安全 specifically mentions driving, the alternative 路上小心 means "be careful on the road" and is more general, as it can be used whether the person is driving or walking/traveling.
How do you pronounce it?
kāichē zhùyì ānquán
Did you know?
- In modern Chinese slang, the word for driving 开车 (kāichē) is often used as a metaphor for starting a suggestive or 'not safe for work' conversation.
- The character for safety 安 (ān) is a pictograph showing a woman 女 inside a roof 宀, symbolizing that a home is a place of peace and security.
- The phrase 路上小心 (lùshàng xiǎoxīn), the general version of 'be careful on the road', uses 小心 which literally translates to 'small heart'.
Examples in context
- 出门在外，开车注意安全。chū mén zài wài, kāi chē zhù yì ān quán.When you are out, drive safe.
- 天黑了，开车注意安全。tiān hēi le, kāi chē zhù yì ān quán.It's getting dark, so drive safe.
- 下雨天路滑，开车注意安全。xià yǔ tiān lù huá, kāi chē zhù yì ān quán.The roads are slippery because of the rain, drive safe.
Example conversation
Wei is leaving the house to head home after a work trip.
- 梓涵 Zihan伟，你走了吗？Wěi, nǐ zǒu le ma?Wei, are you leaving now?
- 伟 Wei是的，我现在准备出发。shì de, wǒ xiàn zài zhǔn bèi chū fā.Yes, I am getting ready to head out.
- 梓涵 Zihan路上别太累，开车注意安全。lù shang bié tài lèi, kāi chē zhù yì ān quán.Don't get too tired on the road, drive safe.
- 伟 Wei好的，我会的。hǎo de, wǒ huì de.Okay, I will.
