Simplified Chinese - Public Transport

我要在___下车。

Wǒ yào zài ___ xiàchē.

I need to get off at ___.

Meaning: I need to get off at ___.

When to use: Use this to tell the driver or a fellow passenger the stop where you want to get off. Fill the blank with the station or landmark name (e.g., 我要在人民广场下车。).

Tip: Don't drop 在; saying 我要下车 at the wrong place can be unclear.

师傅，下一站请停一下。

Shīfu, xià yí zhàn qǐng tíng yíxià.

Please let me off at the next stop.

Meaning: Please let me off at the next stop.

When to use: Say this politely to a taxi driver or bus driver when you want them to stop at the next station. '师傅' is a common, polite way to address drivers in Mainland China.

可以上车买票吗？

Kěyǐ shàngchē mǎi piào ma?

Can I buy a ticket on the bus?

Meaning: Can I buy a ticket on the bus?

When to use: Ask this on buses or long-distance coaches if you’re unsure whether onboard purchase is allowed. In many Chinese cities you may need to tap or scan instead.

上下车都要刷卡吗？

Shàng xià chē dōu yào shuākǎ ma?

Do I have to tap in and out?

Meaning: Do I have to tap in and out?

When to use: Use this to ask whether your transit card must be tapped both when boarding and when leaving a service (common on some networks).

Tip: Confusing 刷卡 (tap card) with 扫码 (scan QR). Ask which method to use.

请问，这个座位有人吗？

Qǐngwèn, zhège zuòwèi yǒu rén ma?

Is this seat taken?

Meaning: Excuse me, is this seat taken?

When to use: Polite way to check if a seat is free on a bus, train, or in a waiting area.

我坐过站了

Wǒ zuò guò zhàn le.

I missed my stop.

Meaning: I missed my stop.

When to use: Use this to explain to a fellow passenger, driver, or station staff that you rode past the stop you intended.

这台售票机坏了。

Zhè tái shòupiào jī huài le.

The ticket machine isn't working.

Meaning: The ticket machine isn't working.

When to use: Report to station staff or other passengers when a specific ticket machine is out of order. Use 这台 to point out the particular machine.

请问，在哪里买票？

Qǐngwèn, zài nǎlǐ mǎi piào?

Where can I buy a ticket?

Meaning: Excuse me, where can I buy a ticket?

When to use: Polite and concise question to ask at stations, ticket counters, or information desks when you need to know where tickets are sold.

___多久来一趟？

___ duōjiǔ lái yí tàng?

How often does the ___ come?

Meaning: How often does the ___ come?

When to use: Ask this to find out frequency of a bus, train or shuttle. Fill the blank with the vehicle or line (e.g., 公交车, 二号线).

Tip: Be specific: say 公交车 or 二号线 rather than only saying '多久' so staff know which service you mean.

有___能直达___吗？

Yǒu ___ néng zhídá ___ ma?

Is there a direct ___ to ___?

Meaning: Is there a direct ___ to ___?

When to use: Use this to ask if a direct bus, train or shuttle goes to your destination (first blank: vehicle/option, second blank: destination).