换乘 (huànchéng)

换乘 means to transfer or change from one mode of transport to another during a journey, such as switching subway lines, buses, or trains. 换 means to change or switch, and 乘 means to ride or board a vehicle.

Meanings

[verb] To transfer; to change vehicles, lines, or modes of transportation mid-journey.

Example Sentences

在这里换乘二号线。 Zài zhèlǐ huànchéng èr hào xiàn. Transfer to Line 2 here.

我需要在北京换乘火车。 Wǒ xūyào zài Běijīng huànchéng huǒchē. I need to transfer to a train in Beijing.

这张地图显示了所有换乘站。 Zhè zhāng dìtú xiǎnshì le suǒyǒu huànchéng zhàn. This map shows all the transfer stations.

换乘的时候要注意方向。 Huànchéng de shíhou yào zhùyì fāngxiàng. Pay attention to the direction when transferring.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
换乘站	transfer station
换乘地铁	to transfer to the subway
免费换乘	free transfer
换乘公交	to transfer to a bus
换乘通道	transfer corridor / walkway

Memory Hook

换 (change) plus 乘 (ride). You change what you ride. Every time you step off one train and onto another, that is 换乘. In Chinese cities with large subway networks, such as Beijing and Shanghai, 换乘 stations (换乘站) are clearly marked on maps and in apps. Knowing this word is essential for navigating public transport independently.