jiàshǐ: 驾驶 - To Drive, Operate, Pilot

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• Summary: Learn the Chinese word 驾驶 (jiàshǐ), the formal term for “to drive,” “operate,” or “pilot” a vehicle. This comprehensive guide explains its meaning, cultural context, and practical use in modern China, contrasting it with the more common colloquial term 开车 (kāichē). Perfect for learners wanting to understand the nuances of official and technical language related to driving cars, planes, and boats.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiàshǐ
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To drive or operate a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft.
• In a Nutshell: 驾驶 (jiàshǐ) is the “official” word for driving in Chinese. Think of it like the English verb “to operate a motor vehicle.” You'll see it on your driver's license (驾驶证), in traffic laws, and in news reports about transportation. While you might say “I'm driving to the store” using a different word, you would use 驾驶 to discuss the skill of driving or in any formal context.

• 驾 (jià): This character is composed of 加 (jiā - to add) on top of 马 (mǎ - horse). Originally, it depicted adding a harness or yoke to a horse, preparing it to pull a chariot. By extension, it means to control, harness, or drive.
• 驶 (shǐ): This character combines the radical for horse (马 mǎ) with the phonetic component 史 (shǐ). It means to move quickly, sail, or drive a horse or vehicle.
• Together, 驾驶 (jiàshǐ) combines the concept of “harnessing and controlling” (驾) with the action of “making a vehicle move” (驶). This creates a formal and comprehensive term that covers the entire action of operating a vehicle.

In Chinese culture, there is often a clear distinction between formal/written language (书面语 shūmiànyǔ) and informal/spoken language (口语 kǒuyǔ). 驾驶 (jiàshǐ) is a prime example of the former. Its usage reflects the structured, regulated, and serious nature of operating machinery, a domain heavily managed by governmental bodies. A great way to understand this is by comparing it to English. In daily conversation, an American would say, “I'm learning to drive.” But on the official DMV form, the language might be, “Application for a license to operate a motor vehicle.” 驾驶 (jiàshǐ) is the Chinese equivalent of “to operate a motor vehicle.” It carries a weight of formality, legality, and technical skill that the more casual term, 开车 (kāichē), lacks. This distinction is crucial for navigating official situations in China, from getting a license to understanding traffic news.

You will encounter 驾驶 primarily in formal, official, or technical settings.

• Legal and Official Documents: This is the exclusive term used on driver's licenses (驾驶证 jiàshǐzhèng), in traffic laws (交通法规 jiāotōng fǎguī), and on official road signs. For example, a sign might warn against “drunk driving” (酒后驾驶 jiǔhòu jiàshǐ).
• Technical and News Contexts: News reports, technical manuals, and discussions about automotive technology use 驾驶. For instance, “autonomous driving” is 自动驾驶 (zìdòng jiàshǐ), and a car review might praise a vehicle's “driving experience” (驾驶体验 jiàshǐ tǐyàn).
• Describing the Skill: When referring to driving as a formal skill or profession, 驾驶 is appropriate. You would talk about a pilot's skill in 驾驶 (piloting) an airplane or a chauffeur's excellent 驾驶 (driving) abilities.

In casual, everyday conversation, using 驾驶 to say you're driving to the supermarket would sound overly formal and unnatural. For that, you would always use 开车 (kāichē).

• Example 1:
  • 他明年才够年龄考驾驶证。
  • Pinyin: Tā míngnián cái gòu niánlíng kǎo jiàshǐzhèng.
  • English: He won't be old enough to take the driver's license test until next year.
  • Analysis: This is a perfect example of official terminology. The document itself is a “driving license,” so 驾驶 must be used.
• Example 2:
  • 酒后驾驶是非常危险的违法行为。
  • Pinyin: Jiǔhòu jiàshǐ shì fēicháng wēixiǎn de wéifǎ xíngwéi.
  • English: Drunk driving is an extremely dangerous and illegal act.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the legal term for “drunk driving.” You would hear this in a public service announcement or a police warning.
• Example 3:
  • 这位飞行员有超过一万小时的飞机驾驶经验。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi fēixíngyuán yǒu chāoguò yī wàn xiǎoshí de fēijī jiàshǐ jīngyàn.
  • English: This pilot has over ten thousand hours of experience piloting airplanes.
  • Analysis: Here, 驾驶 is used for “piloting,” showing its application beyond just cars to other complex vehicles like aircraft.
• Example 4:
  • 报名驾驶学校以前，你需要先做一次体检。
  • Pinyin: Bàomíng jiàshǐ xuéxiào yǐqián, nǐ xūyào xiān zuò yīcì tǐjiǎn.
  • English: Before enrolling in driving school, you need to have a physical examination first.
  • Analysis: “Driving school” is another official term that uses 驾驶. The shortened, more common name is 驾校 (jiàxiào).
• Example 5:
  • 自动驾驶技术是汽车工业的未来。
  • Pinyin: Zìdòng jiàshǐ jìshù shì qìchē gōngyè de wèilái.
  • English: Autonomous driving technology is the future of the automotive industry.
  • Analysis: This highlights the technical use of 驾驶. “Self-driving” is a technological concept, making this formal term appropriate.
• Example 6:
  • 警察拦下了他，因为他涉嫌危险驾驶。
  • Pinyin: Jǐngchá lán xiàle tā, yīnwèi tā shèxián wēixiǎn jiàshǐ.
  • English: The police pulled him over because he was suspected of reckless driving.
  • Analysis: “Reckless driving” or “dangerous driving” is a legal infraction, so the formal verb 驾驶 is used.
• Example 7:
  • 在恶劣天气下驾驶需要特别小心。
  • Pinyin: Zài èliè tiānqì xià jiàshǐ xūyào tèbié xiǎoxīn.
  • English: Driving in bad weather requires special care.
  • Analysis: This is a general statement or piece of advice, giving it a slightly more formal and instructional tone where 驾驶 fits well.
• Example 8:
  • 无证驾驶被抓到会面临严厉的处罚。
  • Pinyin: Wú zhèng jiàshǐ bèi zhuā dào huì miànlín yánlì de chǔfá.
  • English: Getting caught driving without a license will result in severe penalties.
  • Analysis: Another legal context. “Driving without a license” is an official offense.
• Example 9:
  • 新手司机应该避免在高速公路上驾驶。
  • Pinyin: Xīnshǒu sījī yīnggāi bìmiǎn zài gāosù gōnglù shàng jiàshǐ.
  • English: Novice drivers should avoid driving on the highway.
  • Analysis: This sentence gives formal advice, almost like it's from a driver's manual, making 驾驶 more suitable than the casual 开车.
• Example 10:
  • 他正在学习如何驾驶帆船。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhèngzài xuéxí rúhé jiàshǐ fānchuán.
  • English: He is learning how to pilot a sailboat.
  • Analysis: This shows the versatility of 驾驶 to mean “pilot” or “operate” for vehicles other than cars, like boats.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 驾驶 (jiàshǐ) with 开车 (kāichē). They both mean “to drive,” but their usage is completely different.

• 驾驶 (jiàshǐ): Formal, written, and technical. Use it for official documents, laws, news, and describing the general skill of operating a vehicle (car, boat, plane).
• 开车 (kāichē): Informal, spoken, and everyday. Use it when you talk about the physical act of driving a car in a normal conversation. (Literally “to open/start the car”).

Incorrect Usage:

“Hey, let's go!”
我来驾驶吧！ (Wǒ lái jiàshǐ ba!)

Why it's wrong: This sounds like you are formally declaring, “Allow me to operate the motor vehicle!” It's unnatural and overly stiff for a casual situation. Correct Usage:

我来开车吧！ (Wǒ lái kāichē ba!) - “I'll drive!”

Think of it this way: You 开车 (kāichē) to the DMV to get your 驾驶证 (jiàshǐzhèng).

• 开车 (kāichē) - The common, colloquial term for “to drive a car.” The one you'll use 90% of the time in conversation.
• 司机 (sījī) - A driver or chauffeur; the person who performs the action of 驾驶.
• 驾照 (jiàzhào) - The common, shortened word for 驾驶证 (jiàshǐzhèng), a driver's license.
• 酒驾 (jiǔjià) - A very common abbreviation for 酒后驾驶 (jiǔhòu jiàshǐ), meaning drunk driving.
• 自动驾驶 (zìdòng jiàshǐ) - Autonomous or self-driving technology.
• 驾校 (jiàxiào) - The colloquial abbreviation for 驾驶学校 (jiàshǐ xuéxiào), a driving school.
• 车辆 (chēliàng) - A formal, written term for “vehicles.”
• 飞行员 (fēixíngyuán) - A pilot; someone whose job is to 驾驶 an aircraft.
• 乘客 (chéngkè) - A passenger; the person who is not driving.
• 交通 (jiāotōng) - Traffic or transportation; the broader system in which driving occurs.