交通事故

You usually pair this with the verb 发生 (fāshēng), meaning 'to happen.' You can say 'A traffic accident happened.' If you are the one who caused it, you might use 出 (chū). For example, 我出交通事故了 means 'I got into a traffic accident.' It is a heavy phrase, so use it clearly. Don't worry about being too poetic here. Just state the facts.

Use this when reporting an incident to the police. Use it when calling your boss to explain why you are late. It is perfect for news reports or radio traffic updates. If you see a crash on the highway, this is the term you'll use. It works in both writing and speaking. It is the most reliable term for any road trouble.

Avoid this if you just bumped a curb while parking. That is too small for such a 'big' word. Don't use it for non-vehicle accidents. If you trip on the sidewalk, that is not a 交通事故. Also, if you are joking with friends about a 'fashion accident,' this is too literal. It lacks the metaphorical flexibility of the English word 'accident.' Stick to the road with this one.

In China, traffic can be quite a dance. With the rise of e-bikes and delivery drivers, the roads are busy. People take 交通事故 very seriously because of the paperwork involved. There is a specific police force called 交警 (traffic police) who handle these. You might hear people say '私了' (sīliǎo). This means settling the accident privately without involving the police. It is a common cultural practice for minor scrapes.

You might hear people shorten it to just 车祸 (chēhuò). 车祸 is more visceral and common in casual speech. It literally means 'car disaster.' While 交通事故 is the 'official' name, 车祸 is what you'd tell your mom. Another variation is 追尾 (zhuīwěi), which specifically means a rear-end collision. If you want to sound like a local, learn these specific types!