护照
hùzhào
In Chinese, the word for passport is 护照 (hùzhào).
护照 is the standard noun used to refer to an official document for foreign travel.
Meaning: official document for foreign travel (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 护 (hù), which means to protect or guard and 照 (zhào), which means a certificate or permit.
Which one should you use?
While 护照 refers to a general passport, 外交护照 (wàijiāo hùzhào) is used specifically for a diplomatic passport issued to government officials and diplomats.
How do you pronounce it?
hùzhào
Did you know?
- In the imperial era, the equivalent of a 护照 was often a 'fish scale' or 'tally' system where matching pieces of wood or metal proved the holder's identity.
- The word 护 in 护照 is the same character used in 护士 (nurse). Both words share the core concept of 'guarding' or 'caring for' someone.
- Before the modern 护照 system, Chinese travelers used a 路引 (lùyǐn). This was a travel permit that detailed the specific route the traveler was authorized to follow.
Examples in context
- 我护照被偷了。My passport was stolen.This sentence is useful for saying that your 护照 was stolen.Tatoeba #2028019 by ydcok, translation #1994379 by Spamster
- 去拿你的护照。Go get your passport.This sentence is useful for telling someone to go get their 护照.Tatoeba #8621494 by slo_oth, translation #3411023 by CK
- 我的护照被人偷了。Someone stole my passport.This sentence is useful for saying that someone stole your 护照.Tatoeba #2028020 by ydcok, translation #35269 by CK
- 我需要办一本新的护照。I need to apply for a new passport.
- 我是外交官，我需要办理外交护照。I'm a diplomat, and I need to apply for a diplomatic passport.
- 进入中国之前，请确保持有有效的出入境证件。Before entering China, please make sure you have a valid travel document.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are checking their belongings before leaving for the airport.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你的护照带了吗？Nǐ de hùzhào dài le ma?Did you bring your passport?
- 浩然 Haoran带了，在我的背包里。Dài le, zài wǒ de bèibāo lǐ.I brought it, it's in my backpack.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我也拿好我的护照了。Wǒ yě ná hǎo wǒ de hùzhào le.I have also secured my passport.
- 浩然 Haoran那我们出发吧。Nà wǒmen chūfā ba.Then let's head out.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
