Chinese word

误乘

Pronunciation

Pinyinwù chéng

Meaning

  • verbtake the wrong vehicle

Example

我误乘了公交车，到了错误的地方。wǒ wù chéng le gōng jiāo chē dào le cuò wù de dì fāng

I took the wrong bus and ended up in the wrong place.

Illustration for 误乘 (take the wrong vehicle)

More examples

因为手机没电，她误乘了火车，去了别的城市。yīn wèi shǒu jī méi diàn tā wù chéng le huǒ chē qù le bié de chéng shì

Because her phone ran out of power, she took the wrong train and went to another city.

Core concept

A mistaken boarding puts a traveler on the wrong ride and sends the journey along an unintended path.

Common phrases

  • 误乘地铁wù chéng dì tiě

    take the wrong subway

  • 误乘火车wù chéng huǒ chē

    take the wrong train

  • 误乘高铁wù chéng gāo tiě

    take the wrong high-speed train

Similar words

乘错chéng cuò: Taking a vehicle or scheduled service other than the intended one.
上错车shàng cuò chē: Getting onto the wrong vehicle instead of the one meant for the trip.
坐错车zuò cuò chē: Riding a vehicle on the wrong route or service and continuing the journey.
搭错车dā cuò chē: Getting a ride on another vehicle or service by mistake.

Definition in Chinese

错误地乘坐了不是自己应乘的交通工具或车次。cuò wù dì chéng zuò le bú shì zì jǐ yīng chéng de jiāo tōng gōng jù huò chē cì

Word origin

误 (wù, "err") + 乘 (chéng, "ride") presents the ride as an action taken in error, giving the compound its specific meaning.

Usage tips

  • This compact verb is more common in transport notices and written reports than in relaxed conversation, where everyday speakers often use more explicit wording.

Other meanings

  • board by mistakeverb

Opposites

  • 正确乘坐zhèng què chéng zuòride correctlyverb

Word lists with this word