动车 dòngchē (D- or C-class) high-speed train
(mainland China) (D- or C-class) high-speed train; power car; multiple-unit train (short for 动车组)
How to remember 动车: 动 move + 车 car = (D- or C-class) high-speed train.
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How it is used
- Refers to a D-class high-speed train in mainland China, one tier below the fastest 高铁 gāotiě (G-class).
- Distinct from plain 火车 huǒchē, the generic word for any train including slow ones.
- Common in everyday travel talk: 坐动车去上海 (zuò dòngchē qù Shànghǎi) - take the high-speed train to Shanghai.