追尾 zhuīwěi to tailgate
to tailgate; to hit the car in front as a result of tailgating
How to remember 追尾: 追 to chase + 尾 tail = to tailgate.
Characters
How it is used
- To rear-end another vehicle - 前车突然刹车,他追尾了 (qián chē tūrán shāchē, tā zhuīwěi le) the car ahead braked suddenly and he rear-ended it.
- Traffic term for hitting the car in front from behind (追尾事故 a rear-end collision).
- Vivid compound (追 chase + 尾 tail). Specific to this crash type, unlike the general 撞车 (zhuàngchē, a car crash).