New here? This is lesson 96 of a free 240-lesson Traditional Chinese course.
Taking the bus in Traditional Chinese
Maya is ready to try her first bus in Taipei. The stop is one block from Banyan Breakfast, but there are several routes.
Learn how to ask which bus goes to a destination, how often it comes, and when it leaves. You can also check whether you need to transfer.
A-Li is going along. At the stop, he takes up two seats, as usual.
By the end of this lesson
Ask which bus goes to a destination, whether a bus reaches a place, how often it comes, when it leaves, and whether a transfer is needed.
- 去臺北車站要搭哪一班公車？Which bus goes to Taipei Main Station?
- 這班公車有到信義嗎？Does this bus go to Xinyi?
- 多久來一班？How often does one come?
- 公車幾點出發？When does the bus leave?
- 公車誤點了The bus is late.
- 需要轉車嗎？Do I need to transfer?
Scene — a first bus ride
Maya and A-Li walk one block from Banyan Breakfast to a bus stop. It is Maya's first bus ride in Taipei, so she checks the route and schedule with a staff member.
A-Li takes up two seats when they board. His drink is still unfinished back at the shop.
Learn — questions for the bus
These questions help you choose a bus and plan your trip. Listen for the destination, the waiting time, and the departure time.
班 counts buses or bus services here. Learn it as part of the question.
去臺北車站要搭哪一班公車？
Which bus goes to Taipei Main Station?
When to use it: Ask this when you need to choose a bus for a destination.
班 counts bus services; learn it with the question.
這班公車有到信義嗎？
Does this bus go to Xinyi?
When to use it: Ask whether the bus you are considering reaches Xinyi.
多久來一班？
How often does one come?
When to use it: Ask how much time passes between buses.
多久 asks about duration; 一班 refers to one bus service.
公車幾點出發？
When does the bus leave?
When to use it: Ask for the bus's departure time.
公車誤點了
The bus is late.
When to use it: Say this when the bus is running behind schedule.
了 marks a changed situation: the bus is now late.
Say it: 了 has a light, neutral tone here.
需要轉車嗎？
Do I need to transfer?
When to use it: Ask whether your trip requires changing buses or lines.
Story — Maya finds the right bus
Maya and A-Li reach a bus stop near Banyan Breakfast. Maya asks a staff member about routes and timing before boarding.
On the bus, A-Li takes up two seats. The fortune slip stays folded, and his drink stays unfinished at the shop.
Maya不好意思，去臺北車站要搭哪一班公車？Excuse me, which bus goes to Taipei Main Station?- Bus stop staff member搭藍色那班。Take the blue one.
- Maya這班公車有到信義嗎？Does this bus go to Xinyi?
- Bus stop staff member有，會到信義。Yes, it goes to Xinyi.
- Maya多久來一班？How often does one come?
- Bus stop staff member大約二十分鐘來一班。About every twenty minutes.
- Maya公車幾點出發？When does the bus leave?
- Bus stop staff member下一班八點十分出發。The next bus leaves at 8:10.
- Maya公車誤點了。The bus is late.
- Bus stop staff member對，可能要再等一下。Right, we may need to wait a little longer.
- Maya需要轉車嗎？Do I need to transfer?
- Bus stop staff member不用，這班直達臺北車站。No, this bus goes straight to Taipei Main Station.
- Maya這邊有人坐嗎？Is anyone sitting here?
A-Li有，我坐兩個位子。Yes, I'm taking up two seats.
Practice — ask about the route
Try nine exercises to ask about routes, schedules, delays, and transfers. Some tasks ask you to build a question, while others test what you hear.
Choose the line that fits the situation, then say it aloud.
0 of 9 done
Build the line
Build the line
Which bus goes to Taipei Main Station?
？
Tap the words in order.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
Does this bus go to Xinyi?
這班公車有到____嗎？
What do you say?
What do you say?
You want to know how often buses come. Ask the staff member.
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
The bus is late.
公車____了
What do you say?
What do you say?
You are planning your route. Ask whether you need to change buses.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
不好意思
What do you say?
What do you say?
You get on the bus and see a seat beside A-Li. Ask if anyone is sitting there.
Match the pairs
Traditional Chinese
去臺北車站要搭哪一班公車？Drop the English here這班公車有到信義嗎？Drop the English here多久來一班？Drop the English here公車幾點出發？Drop the English hereEnglish
Say it — your first bus trip
You play Maya on her first bus trip in Taipei. Listen to the staff member or A-Li, then ask your question aloud.
Try to speak clearly and politely. You can replay each cue before your turn.
- Maya asks the staff member for the right bus.
- Maya (you)Ask which bus goes to Taipei Main Station.
Ask which bus goes to Taipei Main Station.
去臺北車站要搭哪一班公車？
Which bus goes to Taipei Main Station?
0 of 4 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Traditional Chinese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| 去臺北車站要搭哪一班公車？ | Which bus goes to Taipei Main Station? | |
| 這班公車有到信義嗎？ | Does this bus go to Xinyi? | |
| 多久來一班？ | How often does one come? | |
| 公車幾點出發？ | When does the bus leave? | |
| 公車誤點了 | The bus is late. | |
| 需要轉車嗎？ | Do I need to transfer? |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Review these bus questions with Yak Cards.
Practise asking about routes and schedules before your next bus ride.
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