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卡车 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
卡车
kǎchē
truck
HSK 7, n, 9 strokes, rank #1732, Very Hard
kǎchē(ka3che1)ka che T3
1truck
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
卡车(卡車)kǎchē(ka3che1)
卡车 refers to a type of large vehicle used for transporting goods. It is commonly used in logistics and transportation contexts, and you will often encounter it in discussions about trade, shipping, and travel. The term is informal, with '货车' (huòchē) being a more formal synonym.
Strokes9Frequency#1732DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In China, the logistics sector is rapidly growing, and卡车 plays a vital role in e-commerce and supply chain management. Truck drivers are essential for moving goods across the vast distances of the country, often working long hours.
Memory tip
Imagine a truck with a '卡' (kǎ) shaped cargo door that '车' (chē) carries all kinds of goods. The '卡' looks like a clamp, holding everything secure, emphasizing the truck's function in heavy transport.
Meanings of 卡车
kǎchē(ka3che1)
1truck
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 卡车 means.
About 卡车
卡车Simplified
卡車Traditional
9Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1732Frequency Rank
辆Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 卡车
Podcast: 卡车
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AI study notes for 卡车
Quick Contrast
货车 (huòchē) refers specifically to a goods vehicle and is more formal, while 卡车 (kǎchē) is a more casual term for a truck.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 卡车 with other types of vehicles like 轿车 (jiàochē - sedan) or 公共汽车 (gōnggòng qìchē - bus). While 卡车 is informal, it is widely understood, especially in business contexts. Remember to use the correct measure word, 辆 (liàng), when counting trucks.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 卡车 connects with other transportation-related vocabulary such as 司机 (sījī - driver) and 运输 (yùnshū - transport). Focus on using it in sentences that involve logistics or travel to deepen your understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget the measure word when using 卡车. For example, saying '三卡车' instead of '三辆卡车' is incorrect; the correct form is '三辆卡车' (three trucks).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 卡车
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 卡车 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
卡车 refers to a type of large vehicle used for transporting goods. It is commonly used in logistics and transportation contexts, and you will often encounter it in discussions about trade, shipping, and travel. The term is informal, with '货车' (huòchē) being a more formal synonym.
When to use 卡车
Be careful not to confuse 卡车 with other types of vehicles like 轿车 (jiàochē - sedan) or 公共汽车 (gōnggòng qìchē - bus). While 卡车 is informal, it is widely understood, especially in business contexts. Remember to use the correct measure word, 辆 (liàng), when counting trucks.
卡车 or something close to it
货车 (huòchē) refers specifically to a goods vehicle and is more formal, while 卡车 (kǎchē) is a more casual term for a truck.
What learners get wrong
Learners often forget the measure word when using 卡车. For example, saying '三卡车' instead of '三辆卡车' is incorrect; the correct form is '三辆卡车' (three trucks).
Write 卡车
卡
车
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Grammar patterns of 卡车
卡车 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
一辆南行的____爆胎并撞车了。
A lorry travelling south had a blow-out and crashed.
