列车
Traditional: 列車
liè chē HSK 5

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

列车准时到达了车站。
Lièchē zhǔnshí dàodále chēzhàn.
The train arrived at the station on time.
我们坐列车去北京。
Wǒmen zuò lièchē qù Běijīng.
We take the train to Beijing.
这辆列车非常快。
Zhè liàng lièchē fēicháng kuài.
This train is very fast.
列车来了。
Lièchē lái le.
The train is coming.
这是列车。
Zhè shì lièchē.
This is a train.

💡 Memory Tip

Break down the characters: 列 (liè) means 'row' or 'line,' and 车 (chē) means 'vehicle.' Think of a 'line of vehicles' connected together to form a train. Associate it with formal 'scheduled' trains, like those listed in a timetable.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is more formal and is commonly used in written language, official announcements, schedules, and news reports (e.g., railway timetables, news headlines). It is less common in casual, everyday spoken conversation, where 火车 (huǒchē) is typically used. It often appears in contexts related to travel, transportation, and logistics.

📖 Grammar Points

Often used with directional phrases like 开往/前往 + [destination] (e.g., 开往北京的列车). Commonly modified by adjectives indicating type or quality (e.g., 高速, 特快). Can be the subject or object in sentences describing departure, arrival, or operation.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In China, the term is strongly associated with the national railway system and its development, especially with the expansion of high-speed rail (高速列车). It conveys a sense of efficiency, modernity, and organized public transport.

🔄 Similar Words

火车 (huǒchē) is the general, everyday word for 'train' and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. 列车 is more specific and formal, often implying a scheduled service. 动车 (dòngchē) refers specifically to electric multiple unit (EMU) trains, often high-speed, which are a type of 列车.

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