出租 chūzū to rent
How to remember 出租: 出 go out + 租 rent = to rent.
Characters
How it is used
- "To rent out" (you as the owner renting to someone else) - 房子出租 (fángzi chūzū) house for rent, a sign you'll see posted everywhere.
- 出租车 (chūzūchē) "taxi" - literally a "rented-out car" - is the key compound to know, though many speakers just say 打车 (dǎchē) to take/hail a taxi.
- Contrast with 租 (zū) alone, which is neutral for "to rent" from either side (rent from/rent to); 出租 specifically frames it from the owner's side.
Example sentences
- 出租车到了。 Chūzūchē dào le.The taxi's here.
- 她是出租车司机吗？ Tā shì chūzūchē sījī ma?Is she a taxi driver?
- 我等着出租车。 Wǒ děng zhe chūzūchē.I was waiting for a taxi.
- 我乘出租车离开。 Wǒ chéng chūzūchē líkāi.I'm leaving by taxi.