Taxi Chinese

麻煩máfán到dào__( 台北táiběi車站chēzhàn)__麻烦máfan到dào__( 台北táiběi车站chēzhàn)__

To the ___(Taipei main station)___

Dialogue

Vocabulary

F.Y.I

In Taiwan, we refer to taxis as 計程車计程车 (Jìchéngchē), while in China they are called 出租車出租车 (Chūzūchē). Some Cantonese speakers may use the term 的士(Díshì).

Taxi fares in Taiwan vary slightly across the country. For example, in Taipei, the initial 1.25km costs NT$70, with an additional cost of NT$5 for every 200m thereafter. Additionally, a nighttime surcharge of NT$20 applies. In contrast, the starting cost for the first 1.25km in Taoyuan is NT$90, with the remaining fares being the same as those in Taipei. For cross-town or long-distance taxi rides, fares are not metered, so it’s important to discuss the fee with the driver beforehand.

Taking a taxi in China:

1. Find a taxi: Look for a taxi stand, which is usually located on the side of the road or near a busy intersection. You can also flag down a taxi on the street, but make sure the taxi has its sign lit up to indicate it is available.
2. Tell the driver your destination: You can tell the driver your destination in Chinese or show them the address in written form. It is helpful to have the address written in Chinese characters, as many taxi drivers may not be able to read English.
3. Pay the fare: The meter will calculate the fare based on the distance traveled. You can pay the fare in cash or with a mobile payment app like Alipay or WeChat Pay.
4. Get a receipt: If you need a receipt, ask the driver for a 發票发票 fāpiào (a receipt used for tax purposes).

It is also worth noting that some cities in China have specific rules and regulations for taxis. For example, in Beijing, taxis are required to use a meter, and the fare cannot be negotiated. In Shanghai, taxis are required to have a GPS system, and drivers are not allowed to refuse passengers based on their destination.