Chinese word

摩托

Pronunciation

Pinyinmó tuō

Meaning

  • nounmotorcycle

Example

他周末喜欢骑摩托去郊游。tā zhōu mò xǐ huān qí mó tuō qù jiāo yóu

He likes riding his motorcycle on weekend outings.

Illustration for 摩托 (motorcycle)

More examples

城市里摩托车很多，要注意交通安全。chéng shì lǐ mó tuō chē hěn duō yào zhù yì jiāo tōng ān quán

There are many motorcycles in the city, so pay attention to traffic safety.

Core concept

Personal transport built around two wheels, a motor, and a rider sitting astride the frame.

Common phrases

  • 骑摩托车qí mó tuō chē

    ride a motorcycle

  • 租摩托车zū mó tuō chē

    rent a motorcycle

Similar words

汽车qì chē: A four-wheeled vehicle powered by an engine or electric motor and driven by people inside it.
摩托车mó tuō chē: The standard full name for a two-wheeled vehicle powered by an engine and ridden astride.
自行车zì xíng chē: A two-wheeled vehicle that moves when a person turns its pedals.
电动车diàn dòng chē: A two- or three-wheeled vehicle powered by electricity and commonly used for nearby travel.

Definition in Chinese

摩托指摩托车的简称，通常指以内燃机或电动机为动力、由骑乘者控制的两轮机动车辆。mó tuō zhǐ mó tuō chē de jiǎn chēng tōng cháng zhǐ yǐ nèi rán jī huò diàn dòng jī wèi dòng lì yóu qí chéng zhě kòng zhì de liǎng lún jī dòng chē liàng

Word origin

摩托 (mótuō, "motorcycle") began as a shortened form of 摩托车 (mótuōchē, "motorcycle"), with 摩托 reflecting the sound of English motor.

Usage tips

  • The verb meaning "ride" keeps the rider in focus in Chinese, whereas the verb meaning "drive" more naturally frames a car or another vehicle controlled from inside.

Opposites

  • 非机动车fēi jī dòng chēnon-motorized vehiclenoun

Related words

Word lists with this word