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Summary: Discover the meaning of 趟 (tàng), an essential Chinese measure word used to count trips, journeys, and scheduled runs. This page explains how 趟 (tàng) is different from other words for “time” like 次 (cì), providing practical examples for daily conversation. You'll learn its core meaning related to travel, its more literal verb meaning “to wade,” and how to use it correctly to sound more like a native speaker.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): tàng
Part of Speech: Measure Word, Verb
HSK Level: HSK 3
Concise Definition: A measure word for the number of trips made; to wade through something (like water).
In a Nutshell: Think of 趟 (tàng) as the measure word for a “round trip” or a “run” to a specific destination. If you go to the store and come back, you made “一趟 (yī tàng)”. It emphasizes the journey itself. This is different from 次 (cì), which just counts the number of times an action happens. Its original verb meaning, “to wade,” gives it a physical sense of moving through a space to complete a journey.
Character Breakdown
The character 趟 (tàng) is a phono-semantic compound character, meaning it combines a meaning component with a sound component.
⻊ (zú, often written as 走 zǒu on the left): This is the “walk” or “run” radical. It signifies that the character is related to movement, travel, or the feet.
尚 (shàng): This part primarily provides the phonetic sound for the character.
Together, the character visually represents an action of “walking” or “moving” that has the sound “shàng” (which evolved into “tàng”).
Cultural Context and Significance
The Specificity of Action: Chinese language often uses specific measure words to describe the nature of an action, not just its quantity. The existence of words like 趟 (tàng), 次 (cì), and 遍 (biàn) reflects a linguistic preference for precision. While in English you might just say “I went to the bank three times,” a Chinese speaker would choose a specific measure word to add a layer of context.
趟 vs. Western “Time”: In English, “time” (as in “three times”) is a generic counter. 趟 (tàng) is not generic; it's specifically for a journey with a purpose and destination. Using 趟 (tàng) implies effort, distance, and the completion of a specific travel-related task. For example, saying “我跑了一趟银行 (Wǒ pǎo le yī tàng yínháng)” feels more descriptive and vivid than “我去了一次银行 (Wǒ qù le yī cì yínháng),” as it emphasizes the physical act of “running an errand” to the bank.
Practical Usage in Modern China
As a Measure Word for Trips: This is its most common function. It's used to count trips to a place, errands, and journeys. It often implies a round trip, but can also refer to a one-way leg of a journey.
e.g., 去一趟超市 (qù yī tàng chāoshì) - go to the supermarket (and back)
e.g., 跑了好几趟 (pǎo le hǎojǐ tàng) - made several trips/runs
For Scheduled Transport:趟 (tàng) is frequently used to refer to a specific, scheduled “run” of a train, bus, or subway.
e.g., 这趟火车 (zhè tàng huǒchē) - this (run of the) train
e.g., 最后一趟地铁 (zuìhòu yī tàng dìtiě) - the last subway train (of the night)
As a Verb (To Wade): While less common in beginner conversations, 趟 (tàng) is used as a verb meaning “to wade.” This can be literal, like wading through water, or metaphorical.
Literal: 趟河 (tàng hé) - to wade across a river
Metaphorical: 趟浑水 (tàng húnshuǐ) - “to wade in muddy waters,” meaning to get involved in a messy or complicated situation.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
我今天下午要去一趟银行。
Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān xiàwǔ yào qù yī tàng yínháng.
English: I need to make a trip to the bank this afternoon.
Analysis: This is the most standard usage. It describes a simple errand or trip to a specific place.
Example 2:
为了买这些材料，他跑了三趟市场。
Pinyin: Wèile mǎi zhèxiē cáiliào, tā pǎo le sān tàng shìchǎng.
English: In order to buy these materials, he made three trips to the market.
Analysis: Here, 趟 is used to count multiple round trips. The verb “跑 (pǎo)” (to run) is often paired with 趟 to emphasize the effort of the errand.
Example 3:
你介意帮我跑一趟邮局吗？
Pinyin: Nǐ jièyì bāng wǒ pǎo yī tàng yóujú ma?
English: Would you mind making a run to the post office for me?
Analysis: “跑一趟” is a very common phrase that means “to run an errand” or “make a quick trip.”
Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 趟 for a scheduled service or “run” of public transportation.
Example 7:
我专程跑了一趟来看你。
Pinyin: Wǒ zhuānchéng pǎo le yī tàng lái kàn nǐ.
English: I made a special trip just to see you.
Analysis: “专程 (zhuānchéng)” means “a special trip,” and it pairs perfectly with 趟 to emphasize that the journey was made for a single, important purpose.
English: I have been to Shanghai twice, but I only went on one business trip.
Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the difference between 次 (cì) and 趟 (tàng). “Twice” (两次) is the total number of occurrences, while “one trip” (一趟) refers to a specific journey with a purpose (business).
Nuances and Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is confusing 趟 (tàng) with 次 (cì) and 遍 (biàn).
趟 (tàng): For trips, journeys, and runs. Implies travel and distance. (e.g., 去医院一趟 - a trip to the hospital).
次 (cì): The general measure word for “times” or “occurrences.” Use it for any action that isn't a trip or a full process. (e.g., 我问了他三次 - I asked him three times).
遍 (biàn): For the entire process of something from beginning to end. (e.g., 请你再说一遍 - Please say it again from the beginning).
Incorrect Usage Example:
Incorrect: 我看了这部电影两趟。 (Wǒ kàn le zhè bù diànyǐng liǎng tàng.)
Why it's wrong: Watching a movie is a process, not a physical trip. You are counting the number of times you completed the action from start to finish.
Correct: 我看了这部电影两遍。 (Wǒ kàn le zhè bù diànyǐng liǎng biàn.)
次 (cì) - The most common and general measure word for “times” or “occurrences.”
遍 (biàn) - A measure word for the full completion of an action or process, from beginning to end.
回 (huí) - Another measure word for “times,” often interchangeable with 次, but can sometimes imply a more involved event.
班 (bān) - A measure word specifically for scheduled transportation runs, like a flight or bus (e.g., “flight number MU583” is a 航班). Closely related to 趟 in this context.
趟水 (tàng shuǐ) - The literal verb phrase: to wade through water.
出差 (chūchāi) - To go on a business trip, a common type of journey measured by 趟.
旅行 (lǚxíng) - To travel or a journey; a long-distance trip that can be measured with 趟.