fēichuán: 飞船 - Spaceship, Spacecraft

• Keywords: feichuan, fēi chuán, 飞船, spaceship in Chinese, spacecraft in Chinese, Chinese rocket, space travel Chinese, Shenzhou, Tiangong, Chinese space program
• Summary: Discover the Chinese word for spaceship, 飞船 (fēichuán). This guide breaks down this literal and intuitive term—meaning “fly ship”—and explores its deep connection to China's national pride and ambitious space program. Learn how to use it correctly in conversation, from discussing the latest Shenzhou mission to talking about your favorite science fiction movies, and avoid common mistakes with similar words like “airplane” (飞机).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fēichuán
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A vehicle, especially one with a crew, designed to travel in outer space.
• In a Nutshell: 飞船 (fēichuán) is the common, everyday Chinese word for “spaceship” or “spacecraft.” It's a wonderfully logical word that combines the concepts of flying and a vessel. It's used to talk about everything from real-life missions conducted by the China National Space Administration to the fictional starships you see in movies and video games.

• 飞 (fēi): This character means “to fly.” Pictographically, it originally resembled a bird with its wings outstretched, soaring through the air. It's the core component in words related to flight, like `飞机` (fēijī, airplane).
• 船 (chuán): This character means “boat” or “ship.” It's composed of the radical `舟` (zhōu), which is a pictogram of a boat, and another component that provides the sound. It refers to a vessel that travels on water.
• When you combine them, `飞` (fly) + `船` (ship), you get a “flying ship.” This is a perfect and direct description of a vehicle that sails through the “sea” of space.

The term 飞船 (fēichuán) is more than just a vocabulary word; it's a powerful symbol of modern China's technological ambition and national pride. In the West, “spaceship” often evokes historical achievements like the Apollo missions or fictional worlds like Star Trek. In China, 飞船 is tightly woven into the country's present and future narrative—the “Chinese Dream” (中国梦, Zhōngguó Mèng). News about the 神舟飞船 (Shénzhōu fēichuán), or “Divine Vessel” spacecraft, docking with the Tiangong space station is a source of immense patriotism. It represents China's re-emergence as a global power, not just economically but technologically. Unlike a term rooted in ancient philosophy, 飞船's significance is forward-looking. It embodies the values of scientific progress, national achievement, and the collective effort required to reach for the stars. For many Chinese people, seeing a 飞船 launch is a moment of shared national identity and a sign of a bright future.

飞船 (fēichuán) is a standard and versatile term used across different contexts, from formal news to casual conversation.

• In the News and Formal Contexts: The term is used constantly in media reports about China's space program (中国航天, Zhōngguó hángtiān) and international space exploration. It is the official and correct term.
  • Example: Reporting on the launch of the Shenzhou spacecraft.
• In Science Fiction (科幻 - kēhuàn): In books, movies like *The Wandering Earth* (流浪地球), and video games, 飞船 is the go-to word for any kind of spaceship, from small fighters to massive interstellar carriers.
• In Everyday Conversation: When discussing technology, future goals, or simply talking about a sci-fi movie, people use 飞船. It's a common word that everyone, including children, understands.
• Connotation: The word carries a neutral-to-positive connotation. It's almost always associated with excitement, progress, human ingenuity, and the wonder of exploration.

• Example 1:
  • 神舟十七号载人飞船成功发射了。
  • Pinyin: Shénzhōu shíqī hào zài rén fēichuán chénggōng fāshè le.
  • English: The Shenzhou-17 manned spaceship has successfully launched.
  • Analysis: This is a typical sentence you would hear on the news. `载人` (zài rén) means “manned” or “crewed.”
• Example 2:
  • 孩子们梦想着有一天能乘坐飞船去火星。
  • Pinyin: Háizimen mèngxiǎng zhe yǒu yītiān néng chéngzuò fēichuán qù huǒxīng.
  • English: The children dream of one day taking a spaceship to Mars.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the aspirational and common use of the word. `乘坐` (chéngzuò) is a common verb for riding in a vehicle.
• Example 3:
  • 这部科幻电影里的飞船设计得非常酷。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù kēhuàn diànyǐng lǐ de fēichuán shèjì de fēicháng kù.
  • English: The spaceship in this sci-fi movie is designed very coolly.
  • Analysis: Here, 飞船 is used in the context of fiction and entertainment. `酷` (kù) is a loanword from the English “cool.”
• Example 4:
  • 飞船返回地球时，必须承受极高的温度。
  • Pinyin: Fēichuán fǎnhuí dìqiú shí, bìxū chéngshòu jí gāo de wēndù.
  • English: When the spaceship returns to Earth, it must withstand extremely high temperatures.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights a technical aspect of space travel, showing the word's use in scientific contexts.
• Example 5:
  • 你相信外星人有飞船吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xiāngxìn wàixīngrén yǒu fēichuán ma?
  • English: Do you believe that aliens have spaceships?
  • Analysis: A simple, conversational question using 飞船 to talk about a hypothetical topic.
• Example 6:
  • 宇航员在飞船里处于失重状态。
  • Pinyin: Yǔhángyuán zài fēichuán lǐ chǔyú shīzhòng zhuàngtài.
  • English: The astronauts are in a state of weightlessness inside the spaceship.
  • Analysis: `宇航员` (yǔhángyuán) is a general term for astronaut, while `航天员` (hángtiānyuán) is often used specifically for Chinese astronauts.
• Example 7:
  • 这艘无人飞船的任务是探索木星。
  • Pinyin: Zhè sōu wúrén fēichuán de rènwù shì tànsuǒ Mùxīng.
  • English: The mission of this unmanned spacecraft is to explore Jupiter.
  • Analysis: Shows the use of `无人` (wúrén) for “unmanned.” Note the measure word `艘` (sōu), which is used for ships and boats.
• Example 8:
  • 飞船与空间站成功对接。
  • Pinyin: Fēichuán yǔ kōngjiānzhàn chénggōng duìjiē.
  • English: The spaceship successfully docked with the space station.
  • Analysis: `对接` (duìjiē) is the specific verb for “to dock” in a space context.
• Example 9:
  • 我们通过电视直播观看了飞船的整个降落过程。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen tōngguò diànshì zhíbō guānkànle fēichuán de zhěnggè jiàngluò guòchéng.
  • English: We watched the spaceship's entire landing process via live television broadcast.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes a common experience for people following space missions.
• Example 10:
  • 成为一名飞船驾驶员是我的终极梦想。
  • Pinyin: Chéngwéi yī míng fēichuán jiàshǐyuán shì wǒ de zhōngjí mèngxiǎng.
  • English: Becoming a spaceship pilot is my ultimate dream.
  • Analysis: `驾驶员` (jiàshǐyuán) means “pilot” or “driver.”

• 飞船 (fēichuán) vs. 飞机 (fēijī): This is the most common mistake for beginners.
  • `飞船 (fēichuán)` = “Fly Ship” → Spaceship. It travels in the “sea” of space (宇宙).
  • `飞机 (fēijī)` = “Fly Machine” → Airplane. It travels in the air (空气).
  • Incorrect: 我坐飞船去上海。(Wǒ zuò fēichuán qù Shànghǎi.) - “I'm taking a spaceship to Shanghai.”
  • Correct: 我坐飞机去上海。(Wǒ zuò fēijī qù Shànghǎi.) - “I'm taking an airplane to Shanghai.”
• 飞船 (fēichuán) vs. 火箭 (huǒjiàn):
  • `火箭 (huǒjiàn)` means “rocket.” The rocket is the powerful launch vehicle that *carries* the spaceship out of Earth's atmosphere. The rocket stages usually fall away.
  • The `飞船 (fēichuán)` is the actual vehicle that remains in space, carries the astronauts, and returns to Earth.
  • Analogy: The `火箭` is the engine and fuel tank, while the `飞船` is the car itself.
• 飞船 (fēichuán) vs. 航天器 (hángtiānqì):
  • `航天器 (hángtiānqì)` is a more technical, broader term for “spacecraft.” It includes all objects sent into space: satellites (卫星), probes (探测器), and spaceships.
  • `飞船 (fēichuán)` is more specific and more common in daily language. It usually implies a larger vessel, often one that is crewed. Think of it as the difference between the technical term “watercraft” (航天器) and the common word “ship” (飞船).

• 航天员 (hángtiānyuán) - The specific term for a Chinese astronaut (taikonaut); often used interchangeably with the more general `宇航员` (yǔhángyuán).
• 火箭 (huǒjiàn) - Rocket; the vehicle used to launch a 飞船 into space.
• 飞机 (fēijī) - Airplane; the most common point of confusion for learners. Travels in the air, not space.
• 宇宙 (yǔzhòu) - Universe/Cosmos; the place where a 飞船 travels.
• 空间站 (kōngjiānzhàn) - Space station; a common destination for a 飞船, such as China's Tiangong Palace (天宫).
• 神舟 (Shénzhōu) - “Divine Vessel”; the famous name of China's crewed spacecraft program. You'll almost always see it paired with 飞船.
• 科幻 (kēhuàn) - Science Fiction; the genre where fictional 飞船 are most common.
• 航天器 (hángtiānqì) - Spacecraft; the more formal, all-encompassing technical term for any space vehicle.
• 发射 (fāshè) - To launch; the verb used for rockets and spaceships.
• 着陆 (zhuólù) - To land; the verb for a spacecraft landing on a celestial body, like the moon or Mars.