座位
zuòwèi
The English word seat can be translated into Chinese as 座位 (zuòwèi), 位子 or 座席.
Meaning: place in which to sit (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 座位 | zuòwèi |
| 位子 | wèizi |
| 座席 | zuòxí |
The terms refer to a place in which to sit. You may encounter the construction 占座 (zhànzuò), which is a verb-object construction used to describe the act of 'saving' or 'holding' a seat for someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 座位 (zuòwèi) is composed of 座 (zuò), meaning 'seat/base' and 位 (wèi), meaning 'position/place'.
Which one should you use?
位子 (wèizi) is a more colloquial and common way to say seat in spoken language, while 座席 (zuòxí) is a formal term used for organized seating arrangements like those in a theater, stadium or at an official banquet.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a casual context, the measure word 个 (gè) is frequently used when counting seats with 位子, such as in the phrase 一个位子 (yí gè wèizi).
How do you pronounce it?
zuòwèi
Did you know?
- The character 座 (zuò) can also refer to a mountain or a large building, treating the entire landmass as a 'seat' or 'base'.
- In Chinese culture, the most important person at a banquet is traditionally seated facing the entrance, which is the 'seat of honor'.
- The phrase 占座 (zhànzuò) can describe a competitive social strategy where students leave a single piece of paper or a bottle on a 'seat' to claim it hours before a class starts.
Examples in context
- 这个座位没人。This seat is free.This sentence is useful for stating that a 座位 is free.Tatoeba #426433 by GlossaMatik, translation #4580225 by pinkfreud
- 他幫我佔了位子。He held a seat for me.This sentence is useful for describing someone holding a 位子.Tatoeba #11949135 by corina, translation #8474784 by ET
- 她領他到他的座位上。She showed him to his seat.This sentence is useful for describing someone being shown to a 座位.Tatoeba #6633866 by verdastelo9604, translation #887391 by CK
- 请问这个座位有人吗？Excuse me, is this seat taken?
- 请找好您的座位。Please find your seat.
- 您的座位在那边。Your seat is over there.
- 请坐在这个椅子上。Please sit on this chair.
- 我喜欢那把椅子。I like that chair.
- 这里还有很多空椅子。There are many empty chairs here.
- 请问，这个座位能不能给我?Excuse me, can you give me this seat?
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a crowded coffee shop, Zhiqiang is looking for a place to sit.
- 志强 Zhiqiang請問這裡還有座位嗎？Qǐngwèn zhèlǐ hái yǒu zuòwèi ma?Excuse me, are there any seats left here?
- 佳怡 Jiayi有的，這張桌子剛好有一個空位。Yǒu de, zhè zhāng zhuōzi gānghǎo yǒu yīgè kòngwèi.Yes, there is one empty spot at this table.
- 志强 Zhiqiang太好了，謝謝妳。Tài hǎole, xièxiè nǐ.Great, thank you.
- 佳怡 Jiayi不客氣，請坐。Bù kèqì, qǐng zuò.You're welcome, please sit.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “seat” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
