jiùhùchē: 救护车 - Ambulance

• Keywords: 救护车, jiùhùchē, ambulance in Chinese, call an ambulance in Chinese, what is jiuhu che, emergency vehicle China, Chinese for ambulance, China emergency number 120, Chinese medical vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn how to say “ambulance” in Chinese with our deep dive into the word 救护车 (jiùhùchē). This guide covers its literal meaning, character breakdown, and practical phrases like how to call an ambulance in China. Understanding this essential vocabulary is crucial for any emergency situation, especially knowing that China's medical emergency number is 120, not 911.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiù hù chē
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: An ambulance; a vehicle for transporting sick or injured people to a hospital.
• In a Nutshell: 救护车 (jiùhùchē) is a perfectly logical and descriptive term. It literally combines the concepts of “rescuing” and “protecting” with “vehicle.” So, a “rescue-and-protect vehicle” is an ambulance. There are no hidden meanings; it's a straightforward and functional word for a vital service.

• 救 (jiù): To save, to rescue, to salvage. This character combines the “seek” radical (求) with the “action” radical (攵), suggesting the action of coming to the aid of someone who is seeking help.
• 护 (hù): To protect or guard. The hand radical (扌) on the left signifies an action done with hands. The right side, 户 (hù), means “household.” Together, it creates the image of using one's hands to protect a home or its inhabitants.
• 车 (chē): Vehicle, car, cart. This character is a simplified pictograph of a chariot viewed from above, showing the wheels and axle.

These three characters combine transparently: a 车 (vehicle) used to 救 (save) and 护 (protect) people.

The concept of an ambulance is universal, but its implementation in China has key differences compared to many Western countries. Understanding these is crucial for practical application. The most critical piece of information is the emergency number. In mainland China, the number for a medical emergency is 120. This is distinct from the police (110) and the fire department (119). An English speaker's instinct to dial 911 will not work. Unlike in countries with nationalized healthcare like the UK, ambulance services in China are generally not free. The service is typically run by local hospitals or emergency centers, and patients are billed for the transport and any treatment administered en route. The cost can be a consideration for some, which is a significant socio-economic factor. Culturally, the arrival of a 救护车 (jiùhùchē) carries the same weight of seriousness and urgency as it does anywhere else. When its siren is heard, other drivers are expected to yield, though this is not always practiced as diligently in heavy traffic as it might be in some other countries.

救护车 (jiùhùchē) is used in exactly the situations you would expect: medical emergencies.

• Calling for Help: The primary use is in the phrase “叫救护车 (jiào jiùhùchē)” - to call an ambulance. When dialing 120, you'll need to clearly state your location (地址, dìzhǐ), the patient's condition (情况, qíngkuàng), and a contact number.
• In Conversation: People use it to describe accidents or medical events. For example, “An ambulance came and took him to the hospital.” or “I heard an ambulance siren last night.”
• Formality: The term itself is neutral and used in all contexts, from casual conversation to formal news reports.

• Example 1:
  • 快！叫救护车！
  • Pinyin: Kuài! Jiào jiùhùchē!
  • English: Quick! Call an ambulance!
  • Analysis: This is the most common and urgent use of the term. 叫 (jiào) means “to call.” This is a command you would shout in an emergency.
• Example 2:
  • 我看到一辆救护车开过去了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ kàndào yī liàng jiùhùchē kāi guòqù le.
  • English: I saw an ambulance drive past.
  • Analysis: 辆 (liàng) is the measure word for vehicles. This sentence is a simple observation.
• Example 3:
  • 救护车把他送到了最近的医院。
  • Pinyin: Jiùhùchē bǎ tā sòngdào le zuìjìn de yīyuàn.
  • English: The ambulance took him to the nearest hospital.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the 把 (bǎ) structure to show how the ambulance (the subject) disposed of the object (him, 他), by sending him (送到) to the hospital.
• Example 4:
  • 你听，外面是不是有救护车的声音？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ tīng, wàimiàn shì bùshì yǒu jiùhùchē de shēngyīn?
  • English: Listen, is that the sound of an ambulance outside?
  • Analysis: A common question when hearing a siren. 声音 (shēngyīn) means “sound” or “voice.”
• Example 5:
  • 他的情况很严重，我们得马上叫救护车。
  • Pinyin: Tā de qíngkuàng hěn yánzhòng, wǒmen děi mǎshàng jiào jiùhùchē.
  • English: His condition is very serious, we have to call an ambulance immediately.
  • Analysis: This shows the reasoning behind calling an ambulance. 严重 (yánzhòng) means “serious,” and 马上 (mǎshàng) means “immediately.”
• Example 6:
  • 救护车到达需要多长时间？
  • Pinyin: Jiùhùchē dàodá xūyào duō cháng shíjiān?
  • English: How long will it take for the ambulance to arrive?
  • Analysis: A critical question to ask the 120 operator. 到达 (dàodá) means “to arrive.”
• Example 7:
  • 交通堵塞时，其他车辆应该给救护车让路。
  • Pinyin: Jiāotōng dǔsè shí, qítā chēliàng yīnggāi gěi jiùhùchē rànglù.
  • English: During a traffic jam, other vehicles should make way for the ambulance.
  • Analysis: 让路 (rànglù) means “to yield” or “make way.” This describes a rule of the road.
• Example 8:
  • 叫一辆救护车的费用是多少？
  • Pinyin: Jiào yī liàng jiùhùchē de fèiyòng shì duōshǎo?
  • English: How much does it cost to call an ambulance?
  • Analysis: This highlights the practical financial consideration mentioned in the cultural context section. 费用 (fèiyòng) means “cost” or “fee.”
• Example 9:
  • 救护车里的医护人员对他进行了急救。
  • Pinyin: Jiùhùchē lǐ de yīhù rényuán duì tā jìnxíng le jíjiù.
  • English: The paramedics in the ambulance gave him first aid.
  • Analysis: 医护人员 (yīhù rényuán) is a general term for “medical personnel.” 急救 (jíjiù) means “first aid” or “emergency treatment.”
• Example 10:
  • 那位老人突然晕倒了，幸好救护车来得很及时。
  • Pinyin: Nà wèi lǎorén túrán yūndǎo le, xìnghǎo jiùhùchē lái de hěn jíshí.
  • English: That elderly man suddenly fainted, but fortunately, the ambulance arrived very promptly.
  • Analysis: This sentence tells a small story. 幸好 (xìnghǎo) means “fortunately,” and 及时 (jíshí) means “timely” or “promptly.”

• The Biggest Mistake: Dialing 911. The most dangerous mistake a foreigner can make is assuming the emergency number is the same as in their home country. In mainland China, medical emergencies are 120. Police are 110. Fire is 119. Memorize 120 for medical needs.
• Incorrect Usage: Not for a Taxi. While an ambulance is a vehicle, it is reserved for medical transport, primarily emergencies. Do not try to “call an ambulance” for a non-urgent doctor's appointment.
  • Incorrect: 我要叫一辆救护车去诊所做年度体检。(Wǒ yào jiào yī liàng jiùhùchē qù zhěnsuǒ zuò niándù tǐjiǎn.) - “I want to call an ambulance to go to the clinic for my annual check-up.”
  • Correct: 我要叫一辆出租车去诊所。(Wǒ yào jiào yī liàng chūzūchē qù zhěnsuǒ.) - “I want to call a taxi to go to the clinic.”

• 医院 (yīyuàn) - Hospital. The primary destination for a 救护车.
• 急诊 (jízhěn) - Emergency Room / ER. The specific department within a hospital where an ambulance will take a patient.
• 医生 (yīshēng) - Doctor. The medical professional who provides treatment.
• 护士 (hùshi) - Nurse. Note the shared character 护 (hù), meaning “protect.”
• 病人 (bìngrén) - Patient. The person being transported by the 救护车.
• 受伤 (shòushāng) - To be injured. A common reason for needing an ambulance.
• 急救 (jíjiù) - First aid / Emergency treatment. The action performed by paramedics. Note the shared character 救 (jiù), meaning “save.”
• 报警 (bàojǐng) - To call the police (by dialing 110). It's important to know the distinction.
• 消防车 (xiāofángchē) - Fire truck. Another emergency vehicle for a different purpose (fire department is 119).
• 意外 (yìwài) - Accident. A common event that necessitates calling a 救护车.