When learning a new language, it’s essential to know how to express common words and phrases that we use in everyday conversations. If you’re interested in traveling to China or simply want to learn Mandarin Chinese, knowing how to say “travel” is a great place to start. In this guide, we’ll cover the formal and informal ways of saying “travel” in Chinese, along with some tips, examples, and regional variations. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Travel” in Chinese
1. 旅行 (lǚ xíng) – This is the most common way to express “travel” in formal Chinese. The word 旅行 (lǚ xíng) combines the characters 旅 (lǚ), meaning “journey,” and 行 (xíng), meaning “to walk” or “to go.”
Example: 我喜欢旅行。 (Wǒ xǐhuān lǚ xíng.) – I enjoy traveling.
2. 出行 (chū xíng) – This term is often used in a more formal context, such as official announcements or business situations. It emphasizes the action of “going out.”
Example: 我们需要出行准备。 (Wǒmen xūyào chū xíng zhǔnbèi.) – We need to prepare for the trip.
Informal Ways to Say “Travel” in Chinese
1. 去旅游 (qù lǚ yóu) – This is a more casual way of saying “travel” in Chinese. It combines the verb 去 (qù), meaning “to go,” with 旅游 (lǚ yóu), which translates to “tourism.”
Example: 我们打算去旅游。 (Wǒmen dǎsuàn qù lǚ yóu.) – We plan to go on a trip.
2. 去玩 (qù wán) – In colloquial Chinese, especially among younger generations, 去玩 (qù wán) is commonly used to mean “to travel” or “to go play.” It carries a playful and lighthearted tone.
Example: 这个周末我们一起去玩吧！(Zhège zhōumò wǒmen yīqǐ qù wán ba!) – Let’s go have fun together this weekend!
Regional Variations
In addition to the formal and informal ways of saying “travel” in Chinese, regional variations exist that are worth mentioning:
1. Cantonese
In Cantonese, a common regional variety of Chinese spoken in Hong Kong and parts of Guangdong province, the term “travel” is often expressed as:
遊 (jau4) – This character represents “to travel” in Cantonese and is similar to the Mandarin pronunciation of 旅游 (lǚ yóu).
Example: 我好想去遊美國！(Ngo hou2 soeng2 heoi3 jau4 Mei5 Gwok3!) – I really want to travel to the United States!
2. Taiwanese Mandarin
In Taiwanese Mandarin, which exhibits some vocabulary differences compared to Mainland Mandarin, the word “travel” is often expressed as:
行 (hêng) – This is similar to the Mandarin word 行 (xíng).
Example: 我愛行旅遊。(Góa ài hêng líu-iú) – I love traveling.
Tips for Using “Travel” in Chinese
1. When engaging with locals, learning the specific regional variations for “travel” can help you connect with them more effectively.
2. To ask the question “Do you like to travel?” you can say 你喜欢旅行吗？ (Nǐ xǐhuān lǚxíng ma?), using the formal term 旅行 (lǚ xíng).
3. When expressing your desire to travel to a specific country or city, you can use phrases like “I want to travel to…” or “I plan to visit…” followed by the country or city name. For example, 我想去中国旅行 (Wǒ xiǎng qù Zhōngguó lǚxíng) means “I want to travel to China.”
Conclusion
Congratulations! Now you know how to say “travel” in both formal and informal ways in Chinese. Remember, 旅行 (lǚ xíng) and 出行 (chū xíng) are commonly used in formal situations, while 去旅游 (qù lǚ yóu) and 去玩 (qù wán) are more informal. If you encounter Cantonese or Taiwanese Mandarin speakers, you can impress them by using 遊 (jau4) or 行 (hêng). Keep practicing and using these phrases, and soon you’ll be conversing confidently about travel in Chinese!
