jiàochē: 叫车 - To Hail/Call a Taxi, To Book a Car

Keywords: jiaoche, 叫车, call a taxi in Chinese, book a car China, ride-hailing China, hail a cab Chinese, DiDi, 打车, how to get a taxi in China, Chinese transportation vocabulary

Summary: Learn how to say “call a taxi” or “book a car” in Chinese with the essential term 叫车 (jiàochē). This guide covers its meaning, cultural context in modern China's app-driven world (like DiDi), and practical example sentences. Whether you're hailing a cab on the street or, more commonly, using a ride-hailing app, understanding 叫车 is crucial for getting around in China.

Pinyin (with tone marks): jiào chē

Part of Speech: Verb-Object Compound (functions as a verb)

HSK Level: HSK 3

Concise Definition: To summon a vehicle for hire, such as a taxi or a ride-share car.

In a Nutshell: 叫车 (jiàochē) literally translates to “call a car.” It's the go-to verb for the entire process of getting a ride. In the past, this meant waving your arm to flag down a taxi on the street. Today, it overwhelmingly refers to using a smartphone app like DiDi to book a car that comes to your location. It's the all-purpose term for getting a car on demand.

叫 (jiào): The primary meaning is “to call,” “to shout,” or “to be called (a name).” Think of it as the action of calling out for someone or something to come to you.

车 (chē): This character is a simplified pictograph of a chariot or cart as seen from above. It means “car” or “vehicle” in modern Chinese.

When combined, 叫车 (jiàochē) forms a very logical and literal phrase: “to call a vehicle.”

The Digital Revolution of Transportation: While in the West, ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft are popular, in China, the shift has been near-total. The term 叫车 (jiàochē) has evolved with the culture. A decade ago, it meant physically hailing a taxi. Now, it almost exclusively implies using a “super-app” like DiDi Chuxing (滴滴出行), which is often integrated directly into WeChat or Alipay. The act of 叫车 is no longer just a transportation action; it's a digital one.

Comparison to “Hailing a Cab”: In many Western cities, especially New York or London, hailing a traditional yellow or black cab is still an iconic and common practice. In major Chinese cities, this is becoming increasingly rare. Drivers prefer the efficiency of app-based orders. For a traveler, this means that knowing the phrase 叫车 is less about shouting on a street corner and more about navigating an app or asking a friend to help you book a car digitally. This reflects China's broader leap into a cashless, app-driven society. The entire experience—booking, communicating with the driver, and paying—happens on your phone.

Formality and Connotation: 叫车 is a neutral, everyday term. It's used by everyone in all informal and standard situations. It carries no strong positive or negative connotation; it's simply a functional description of an action.