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March 24, 2026
开夜车(開夜車)kāiyèchē(kai1ye4che1)
开夜车 refers to the act of working late into the night, often to meet deadlines or finish tasks. This phrase is commonly used among students and professionals who need to complete assignments or projects when time is limited.
Frequency#30904DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Burning the midnight oil is common in Chinese culture, especially during exam periods, reflecting the high value placed on education and hard work. Many students pull all-nighters to prepare for crucial tests.
Memory Tip
Imagine driving a car (车) through the night (夜) with the headlights on, representing the effort to keep working (开) when everyone else is asleep. The sound 'kai' can remind you of 'key,' unlocking your productivity at night.
Meanings of 开夜车
kāiyèchē(kai1ye4che1)
1to burn the midnight oil
2to work late into the night
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About 开夜车
开夜车Simplified
開夜車Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 开夜车
Podcast: 开夜车
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AI Study Notes for 开夜车
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine driving a car (车) through the night (夜) with the headlights on, representing the effort to keep working (开) when everyone else is asleep. The sound 'kai' can remind you of 'key,' unlocking your productivity at night.
Usage Notes
This expression is informal and is typically used in casual conversations. Be careful not to confuse it with other phrases that imply working hard; '开夜车' specifically emphasizes the late-night aspect. It’s often used in contexts like studying or finishing work.
HSK Study Tips
While '开夜车' may not appear in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding this colloquial phrase is beneficial for conversational fluency. Students should focus on similar expressions related to work and time management at this level.
Cultural Note
Burning the midnight oil is common in Chinese culture, especially during exam periods, reflecting the high value placed on education and hard work. Many students pull all-nighters to prepare for crucial tests.
Common Mistakes
Learners might mistakenly use 开夜车 in formal contexts, which can seem unprofessional. For example, saying '我在开夜车工作' in a business meeting may not be appropriate; instead, you could say '我在加班' (I am working overtime).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 开夜车
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Cultural Notes for 开夜车
🏮Cultural insight
Burning the midnight oil is common in Chinese culture, especially during exam periods, reflecting the high value placed on education and hard work. Many students pull all-nighters to prepare for crucial tests.
Frequently Asked Questions about 开夜车
No, while it's often associated with students, professionals also use it when they need to work long hours to meet deadlines.
No, 开夜车 specifically refers to working late, not leisure activities.
Yes, you can use phrases like '熬夜' (áo yè), which means to stay up late, but it may not always imply work.
