Traveling to China can be exciting, but it’s important to know some key phrases.
Learning how to say “airport” in Chinese is a great place to start.
The most common way to say “airport” in Mandarin Chinese is “机场” (jīchǎng).
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This simple phrase can be very helpful when navigating transportation in China.
Whether you’re asking for directions or telling a taxi driver where to go, knowing how to say “airport” can make your trip much smoother.
It’s also a good starting point for learning more Chinese travel vocabulary.
Let’s explore some other ways to say “airport” in Chinese and when to use them.
We’ll look at both formal and informal terms, as well as some regional variations you might encounter during your travels.
Key Takeaways
- The standard term for “airport” in Mandarin Chinese is 机场 (jīchǎng)
- There are informal ways to say “airport” for casual conversations
- Learning airport-related vocabulary can greatly improve your travel experience in China
Understanding Airport Terminology in Chinese
Knowing key airport terms in Chinese can make your travel experience smoother. These words and phrases cover essential areas from check-in to boarding.
Basic Airport Terms
The Chinese word for airport is 机场 (Jīchǎng). Another term is 飞机场 (Fēijī Chǎng), which literally means “airplane field.” For international airports, use 国际机场 (Guójì Jīchǎng).
The word for airplane in Chinese is 飞机 (Fēijī). Terminals are called 航站楼 (Hángzhàn Lóu).
Here’s a quick list of other basic terms:
- Check-in: 登机手续 (dēng jī shǒu xù)
- Security check: 安检 (Ān jiǎn)
- Baggage claim: 行李提取处 (xíng lǐ tí qǔ chù)
Navigating Through the Airport
To find your way around a Chinese airport, these phrases can help:
- Departure hall: 出发大厅 (chū fā dà tīng)
- Arrival hall: 到达大厅 (dào dá dà tīng)
- Information desk: 问讯处 (wèn xùn chù)
Signs in Chinese airports often include English translations, but knowing the Chinese terms can be useful.
For example, 登机口 (dēng jī kǒu) means “boarding gate.”
When asking for directions, you can say: “登机口在哪里? (Dēngjī kǒu zài nǎlǐ?)” meaning “Where is the boarding gate?”
Flight and Boarding Essentials
Flight-related terms are crucial for a smooth travel experience. Here are some key words:
- Flight: 航班 (Hángbān)
- Flight number: 航班号 (Hángbān Hào)
- Boarding pass: 登机牌 (Dēngjī Pái)
- Passport: 护照 (Hùzhào)
- Immediately adjacent: 紧接 (jǐn jiē)
When boarding, listen for announcements using these terms.
The phrase “开始登机” (Kāishǐ Dēngjī) means “boarding has started.”
If your flight is delayed, you might hear “航班延误” (Hángbān Yánwù). For cancellations, the term is “航班取消” (Hángbān Qǔxiāo).
Remember to keep your 登机牌 (Dēngjī Pái) handy throughout your journey. It’s your key to getting on the plane.
Practical Conversation and Tips

Learning key Chinese phrases for airports can make your travel smoother. These phrases cover common situations you’ll face from check-in to boarding.
At the Check-In Counter
When you arrive at the airport, head to the check-in counter. Here are some useful phrases:
“我要办理登机手续” (Wǒ yào bànlǐ dēngjī shǒuxù) – “I’d like to check in.”
“这是我的护照” (Zhè shì wǒde hùzhào) – “Here’s my passport.”
“我有一件托运行李” (Wǒ yǒu yī jiàn tuōyùn xíngli) – “I have one piece of luggage to check.”
“我想要一个靠窗的座位” (Wǒ xiǎng yào yīgè kào chuāng de zuòwèi) – “I’d like a window seat.”
If you need a luggage cart, ask for “行李推车” (xíngli tuīchē).
In the Departure and Arrival Areas
Navigate the airport with these phrases:
“安检在哪里?” (Ānjiǎn zài nǎlǐ?) – “Where is security?”
“登机口在哪里?” (Dēngjī kǒu zài nǎlǐ?) – “Where is the gate?”
“洗手间在哪里?” (Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?) – “Where is the restroom?”
“餐馆在哪里?” (cān guǎn zài nǎlǐ?) – “Where is the restaurant?“
For arrivals, you might need:
“行李提取处在哪里?” (Xíngli tíqǔ chù zài nǎlǐ?) – “Where is baggage claim?”
“海关在哪里?” (Hǎiguān zài nǎ lǐ?) – “Where is customs?”
“我在哪里可以搭乘酒店班车?” (wǒ zài nǎ lǐ kě yǐ dā chéng jiǔ diàn bān chē?) – “Where do I catch the hotel shuttle bus?
Where’s the embassy? 大使馆在哪里? (dà shǐ guǎn zài nǎ lǐ?)
Onboard the Aircraft
Once on the plane, these phrases can help:
“我的座位在哪里?” (wǒ de zuò wèi zài nǎlǐ?) – “Where is my seat?”
“请给我一杯水” (qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi shuǐ) – “Please give me a glass of water.”
“我需要毯子” (wǒ xū yào tǎn zi) – “I need a blanket.”
If you’re in business class, you might say: “我是商务舱乘客” (wǒ shì shāng wù cāng chéng kè) – “I’m a business class passenger.”
Remember, flight attendants are called “空姐” (kōng jiě) for women or “空少” (kōng shào) for men.

Frequently Asked Questions
People often have questions about how to say airport-related terms in Chinese. Here are answers to some common queries about airport vocabulary in Mandarin and Cantonese.
What is the Mandarin pronunciation for the term ‘airport’?
The Mandarin word for airport is 飞机场 (fēijīchǎng). It combines the words for “airplane” and “field.” Another term is 机场 (jīchǎng), which is shorter but still widely used.
How do you refer to an ‘international airport’ in Mandarin?
In Mandarin, ‘international airport’ is 国际机场 (guójì jīchǎng). This term combines 国际 (guójì) meaning “international” with 机场 (jīchǎng) for “airport.”
What is the Cantonese word for ‘airport’?
In Cantonese, the word for airport is 機場 (gei1 coeng4). This term is similar to the Mandarin version but with different pronunciation.
What is the term used for ‘airplane’ in Chinese?
The Chinese word for ‘airplane’ is 飞机 (fēijī) in Mandarin. It literally translates to “flying machine.”
How can I find the equivalent of ‘taxi’ in Chinese?
In Chinese, ‘taxi’ is called 出租车 (chūzūchē) in Mandarin. It means “rental car.” A shorter version, 的士 (díshì), is also used, especially in southern China.
What is the commonly used name for airports in China?
Many Chinese airports use the city name followed by 机场 (jīchǎng). For example, Beijing Capital International Airport is 北京首都国际机场 (Běijīng Shǒudū Guójì Jīchǎng).
More examples of how to say airport in Chinese
- 我们需要提前两小时到达机场。
- 简体字:我们需要提前两小时到达机场。
- 拼音:Wǒ men xū yào tí qián liǎng xiǎo shí dào dá jī chǎng。
- 英文翻译:We need to arrive at the airport two hours in advance.
- 机场的安检非常严格,所以请准备好你的身份证。
- 简体字:机场的安检非常严格,所以请准备好你的身份证。
- 拼音:Jī chǎng de ān jiǎn fēi cháng yán gé, suǒ yǐ qǐng zhǔn bèi hǎo nǐ de shēn fèn zhèng。
- 英文翻译:The security check at the airport is very strict, so please have your ID card ready.
- 从我家到机场大约需要一个小时的车程。
- 简体字:从我家到机场大约需要一个小时的车程。
- 拼音:Cóng wǒ jiā dào jī chǎng dà yuē xū yào yī gè xiǎo shí de chē chéng。
- 英文翻译:It takes about an hour’s drive from my home to the airport.
- 机场的免税店有很多国际品牌。
- 简体字:机场的免税店有很多国际品牌。
- 拼音:Jī chǎng de miǎn shuì diàn yǒu hěn duō guó jì pǐn pái。
- 英文翻译:The duty-free shop at the airport has many international brands.
- 请在机场的到达大厅等我,我一下飞机就去找你。
- 简体字:请在机场的到达大厅等我,我一下飞机就去找你。
- 拼音:Qǐng zài jī chǎng de dào dá dà tīng děng wǒ, wǒ yī xià fēi jī jiù qù zhǎo nǐ。
- 英文翻译:Please wait for me in the arrival hall at the airport, I will come to find you as soon as I land.
Related Vocabulary
Here are some other Chinese words you might find useful:



