过山车
guòshānchē
The English phrase roller coaster is translated into Chinese as 过山车 (guòshānchē).
The term refers to an amusement park ride with steep slopes and sharp curves that moves passengers quickly along a track.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 过山车 literally means 'pass over mountain vehicle'.
Which one should you use?
云霄飞车 literally means 'cloud-soaring roller coaster'.
How do you pronounce it?
guòshānchē
Did you know?
- In Chinese, 过山车 is frequently used as a metaphor to describe a volatile stock market or a relationship with extreme emotional highs and lows.
- In modern slang, saying one's heart is like a 过山车 indicates a state of extreme anxiety or nervousness.
- While 过山车 is standard in mainland China, you will often hear people in Taiwan use 云霄飞车 instead. The latter sounds more poetic, as if the coaster is soaring through the clouds.
Examples in context
- 你想去坐过山车吗？Do you want to ride a roller coaster?
- 当然！过山车太刺激了！Of course! Roller coasters are so thrilling!
- 这个过山车很快。Zhège guòshānchē hěn kuài.This roller coaster is very fast.
- 你想坐过山车吗？Nǐ xiǎng zuò guòshānchē ma?Do you want to ride the roller coaster?
- 那个过山车看起来很刺激。Nàge guòshānchē kàn qǐlái hěn cìjī.That roller coaster looks very exciting.
Example conversation
Two friends are standing in line at an amusement park.
- 梓涵 Zihan俊杰，我们去坐过山车吧！Jùnjié, wǒmen qù zuò guòshānchē ba!Junjie, let's go ride the roller coaster!
- 俊杰 Junjie可是那个过山车很高。Kěshì nàge guòshānchē hěn gāo.But that roller coaster is very high.
- 梓涵 Zihan别害怕，我会陪着你的。Bié hàipà, wǒ huì péizhe nǐ de.Don't be afraid, I will stay with you.
- 俊杰 Junjie好吧，那我们走吧。Hǎo ba, nà wǒmen zǒu ba.Okay, let's go then.
