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:
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.