交通
jiāotōng
The English phrase transportation is translated into Chinese as 交通 (jiāotōng).
交通 refers to means of conveyance or transportation. It is also the standard word used to refer to 'traffic' in a general sense.
Meaning: means of conveyance (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 交通 is composed of 交, which means to exchange or intersect and 通, which means to pass through or connect.
Which one should you use?
Use 交通 to refer to the system or the flow of traffic. If you are specifically referring to the act of transporting goods or the logistics industry, use 运输 (yùnshū) instead.
How do you pronounce it?
jiāotōng
Did you know?
- Historically, the characters in 交通 referred to the intersection of rivers and the flow of water. This reflects how ancient Chinese civilization relied on waterways for the primary means of transport.
- In ancient Chinese texts, 交通 was sometimes used to describe the union of Heaven and Earth or the connection between different realms.
- While 交通 refers to the general concept of transportation, it is also the primary word used for 'communication' or 'intercourse' in a social or academic context.
Examples in context
- 这个城市的交通方便得很。The transportation in this city is very convenient.This sentence is useful for describing the convenience of transportation in a city.Tatoeba #474220 by GlossaMatik, translation #474217 by FeuDRenais
- 這間酒店的交通位置很方便。This hotel is conveniently located in terms of public transportation.This sentence is useful for describing how a hotel is located in terms of public transportation.Tatoeba #351825 by nickyeow, translation #60476 by CM
- 今天，我使用公共交通去上班了。Today, I used public transportation to go to work.
- 我最喜欢的交通工具是自行车。My favorite mode of transportation is a bicycle.
- 这里的公共交通很发达。zhèlǐ de gōnggòng jiāotōng hěn fādá.The public transportation here is very well-developed.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing how to get to a concert.
- 俊杰 Junjie我们怎么去演唱会？Wǒmen zěnme qù yǎnchànghuì?How are we getting to the concert?
- 佳怡 Jiayi这里的公共交通很方便。Zhèlǐ de gōnggòng jiāotōng hěn fāngbiàn.The public transportation here is very convenient.
- 俊杰 Junjie那我们坐地铁去吧。Nà wǒmen zuò dìtiě qù ba.Then let's take the subway.
- 佳怡 Jiayi好的，俊杰，我们走吧。Hǎo de, Jùnjié, wǒmen zǒu ba.Okay, Junjie, let's go.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
