dīshì: 的士 - Taxi, Cab

• Keywords: dīshì, 的士, Chinese for taxi, how to say taxi in Chinese, hail a cab in China, Chinese loanwords, Cantonese loanwords, 打的, 出租车, taxi vs 的士, taxi in Hong Kong
• Summary: Learn how to say “taxi” in Chinese with 的士 (dīshì), a common and informal term derived from English. This guide explains its meaning, cultural origin as a loanword, and its popular usage, especially in Southern China and Hong Kong. Discover the difference between 的士 and the more standard term 出租车 (chūzūchē), and learn the essential verb for hailing a cab: 打的 (dǎdī).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dīshì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A taxi; a cab.
• In a Nutshell: 的士 (dīshì) is a phonetic loanword from the English “taxi,” primarily used in Cantonese-speaking areas like Hong Kong and Guangdong. While the official, nationwide term is 出租车 (chūzūchē), 的士 is a very common, slightly informal alternative in the South. Using it is perfectly fine and can even make you sound more like a local in the right regions.

• 的 (dī): In its most common usage, this character is pronounced “de” and acts as a possessive particle (like 's in English). However, in 的士, it is used purely for its sound, pronounced “dī,” to imitate the “ta-” or “di-” sound in “taxi.”
• 士 (shì): This character typically means “scholar,” “gentleman,” or “soldier.” Here, its meaning is irrelevant. It is used for its sound, “shì,” to mimic the “-xi” sound in “taxi.”

When you combine 的 (dī) and 士 (shì), they don't create a literal meaning. Instead, they form a sound puzzle that, when read aloud, sounds like the English word “taxi.” This is a classic example of how Chinese adopts foreign words.

The term 的士 is a fascinating window into China's linguistic interaction with the West and its own regional diversity. Its origin is tied to Hong Kong. During British rule, English words naturally seeped into the local Cantonese dialect. “Taxi” became “的士” (dik-si in Cantonese, dīshì in Mandarin). As Hong Kong's cultural and economic influence spread to neighboring Guangdong province and other parts of Southern China, so did this term. For a Western learner, a good analogy is the regional variation of words for a carbonated beverage in the United States: “soda,” “pop,” or “coke.” All are correct, but your choice instantly signals where you're from. Similarly, in China:

• 的士 (dīshì): Using this term suggests a connection to Southern China (especially Guangdong) or Hong Kong. It feels casual and local in those areas.
• 出租车 (chūzūchē): This is the “soda” or the standard, official term used nationwide, especially in Northern China (like Beijing) and in all formal writing and signage.
• 计程车 (jìchéngchē): This is the standard term used in Taiwan.

Using 的士 in Beijing isn't “wrong”—you'll be understood—but it might sound as unusual as someone from New York asking for a “pop.” It highlights the importance of regional context in modern Chinese.

• Informal and Spoken: 的士 is primarily used in spoken, informal conversations. You'll hear it on the streets of Guangzhou or Shenzhen, but you'll see “出租车” on official airport signs.
• Hailing a Cab: The most common way to talk about getting a taxi is using the verb 打 (dǎ), which means “to hit” but in this context means “to hail” or “to take.” You can say “打的士 (dǎ dīshì),” but it's even more common to shorten it to the ubiquitous phrase 打的 (dǎdī). This shortened form is used all over China, even in regions where the noun 的士 is less common.
• Addressing the Driver: It's polite to address a taxi driver as 师傅 (shīfu), meaning “master worker,” or 大哥 (dàgē) for a male driver, meaning “big brother.” For example: “师傅，去机场。” (Shīfu, qù jīchǎng. - “Driver, to the airport.”)

• Example 1:
  • 我们打个的士去火车站吧。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen dǎ ge dīshì qù huǒchēzhàn ba.
  • English: Let's take a taxi to the train station.
  • Analysis: A very common and natural suggestion. “打个 (dǎ ge)” is a softened way of saying “to take one”.
• Example 2:
  • 请问，附近哪里有的士站？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, fùjìn nǎlǐ yǒu dīshì zhàn?
  • English: Excuse me, where is a taxi stand nearby?
  • Analysis: This sentence uses 的士站 (dīshì zhàn), which means “taxi stand.” This is a practical question for any traveler.
• Example 3:
  • 他爸爸是个的士司机。
  • Pinyin: Tā bàba shì ge dīshì sījī.
  • English: His father is a taxi driver.
  • Analysis: Here, 的士 modifies 司机 (sījī - driver) to specify the type of driver.
• Example 4:
  • 在香港，红色的的士可以去大部分地方。
  • Pinyin: Zài Xiānggǎng, hóngsè de dīshì kěyǐ qù dàbùfen dìfang.
  • English: In Hong Kong, the red taxis can go to most places.
  • Analysis: This provides a real-world cultural fact about taxis in Hong Kong, where 的士 is the dominant term.
• Example 5:
  • 太晚了，没有公交车了，我们叫一辆的士吧。
  • Pinyin: Tài wǎn le, méiyǒu gōngjiāochē le, wǒmen jiào yī liàng dīshì ba.
  • English: It's too late, there are no more buses, let's call a taxi.
  • Analysis: “叫 (jiào)” means “to call” and is another verb used for hailing a taxi, often implying using a phone or app. “辆 (liàng)” is the measure word for vehicles.
• Example 6:
  • 的士大哥，麻烦您开快一点，我赶时间。
  • Pinyin: Dīshì dàgē, máfan nín kāi kuài yīdiǎn, wǒ gǎn shíjiān.
  • English: Mr. Taxi Driver, could you please drive a bit faster, I'm in a hurry.
  • Analysis: A great example of how to politely speak to a driver. “大哥 (dàgē)” is a friendly, respectful term.
• Example 7:
  • 从酒店到市中心，坐的士大概需要三十分钟。
  • Pinyin: Cóng jiǔdiàn dào shìzhōngxīn, zuò dīshì dàgài xūyào sānshí fēnzhōng.
  • English: From the hotel to the city center, taking a taxi takes about 30 minutes.
  • Analysis: “坐 (zuò)” means “to sit” or “to ride in,” another common verb used with modes of transport.
• Example 8:
  • 这辆的士的起步价是多少？
  • Pinyin: Zhè liàng dīshì de qǐbùjià shì duōshǎo?
  • English: What is the starting fare for this taxi?
  • Analysis: Introduces the useful related term 起步价 (qǐbùjià), or base fare.
• Example 9:
  • 我更喜欢坐的士，因为比地铁舒服。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ gèng xǐhuān zuò dīshì, yīnwèi bǐ dìtiě shūfu.
  • English: I prefer taking taxis because they are more comfortable than the subway.
  • Analysis: A simple sentence expressing a personal preference, useful for basic conversation.
• Example 10:
  • 如果你来广州，你会发现很多人都说“的士”而不是“出租车”。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ lái Guǎngzhōu, nǐ huì fāxiàn hěn duō rén dōu shuō “dīshì” ér bùshì “chūzūchē”.
  • English: If you come to Guangzhou, you'll find that many people say “dīshì” instead of “chūzūchē”.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly explains the regional usage of the term, reinforcing the key learning point.

• Regional Overgeneralization: The most common pitfall is using 的士 everywhere in China. While you'll be understood in Beijing, it will immediately mark you as unfamiliar with local norms.
  • Correct (in Beijing): 我要打车。(Wǒ yào dǎchē.) or 我要叫一辆出租车。(Wǒ yào jiào yī liàng chūzūchē.)
  • Slightly Awkward (in Beijing): 我要叫一辆的士。(Wǒ yào jiào yī liàng dīshì.)
• Confusing the Noun (的士) and the Verb Phrase (打的): Remember that 的士 is the car itself, while 打的 is the action of taking the car.
  • Correct: 我们打的去吧。(Wǒmen dǎdī qù ba.) - Let's take a cab.
  • Incorrect: 我们的士去吧。(Wǒmen dīshì qù ba.) - This is grammatically wrong, like saying “We taxi go.”
  • Note: “我们打的士去吧 (Wǒmen dǎ dīshì qù ba)” is also correct, but “打的 (dǎdī)” is the more frequent and natural-sounding verb phrase.

• 出租车 (chūzūchē) - The official, standard Mandarin word for “taxi” used throughout mainland China, especially in the North. It literally means “rent-out vehicle.”
• 打的 (dǎdī) - The most common verb phrase for “to hail/take a taxi.” A contraction of “打的士”. Used nationwide.
• 计程车 (jìchéngchē) - The standard term for “taxi” in Taiwan. It means “metered-journey vehicle.”
• 司机 (sījī) - Driver. A general term for any driver (bus, taxi, private car).
• 师傅 (shīfu) - “Master worker.” A polite and common way to address a taxi driver or other skilled laborers.
• 网约车 (wǎngyuēchē) - “Online-hailed car.” The modern term for ride-sharing services like Didi Chuxing (the “Uber” of China).
• 起步价 (qǐbùjià) - The starting fare or base fare of a taxi ride.
• 打表 (dǎbiǎo) - “To use the meter.” You can say “师傅，请打表” (Shīfu, qǐng dǎbiǎo) to ensure you are charged the metered fare.
• 拼车 (pīnchē) - To carpool or share a ride, a common feature in ride-hailing apps.