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飞机
fēi jī
airplane
我坐飞机去上海。
I take a plane to Shanghai.
formal
A powered heavier-than-air aircraft with fixed wings from which the aircraft derives most of its lift.
飞机起飞时需要很长的跑道。
Airplanes require long runways for takeoff.
这架飞机是波音737。
This airplane is a Boeing 737.
In Chinese, 飞机 is the most common term for any fixed-wing aircraft, including passenger planes, cargo planes, and military jets.
Pro Tip
Distinguish from 直升机
飞机 refers to fixed-wing aircraft, while 直升机 (helicopter) has rotating wings. This distinction is important in aviation contexts.
Word Origin
飞机 is a compound of 飞 (fēi, 'to fly') and 机 (jī, 'machine' or 'engine'). The term emerged in the early 20th century with the advent of powered flight in China.
Usage Notes
In modern Chinese, 飞机 is the default term for any fixed-wing aircraft, regardless of size or purpose. For helicopters, use 直升机 (zhíshēngjī).
Word Breakdown
飞
to fly
root机
machine
root汉英词典