充气
To inflate
Littéralement: 充 (chōng - to fill/charge) + 气 (qì - air/gas)
Use `充气` for physical inflation of objects like tires or balloons in everyday practical situations.
En 15 secondes
- Literally means to pump air into an object.
- Used for tires, balloons, and air mattresses.
- Commonly seen at gas stations and bike shops.
Signification
This phrase literally means to pump air into something, like a balloon or a tire, but it's also used for adding pressure or 'inflating' someone's ego.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6At a bike repair stall
师傅，能帮我的自行车充气吗？
Master, can you help me inflate my bike tire?
Preparing for a party
我们需要给这些气球充气。
We need to blow up these balloons.
At a gas station
请问哪里可以给汽车轮胎充气？
Excuse me, where can I inflate my car tires?
Contexte culturel
The phrase is ubiquitous in China's 'bicycle kingdom' history. Street-side repairmen often offer 'free air' (免费充气) to attract customers for other repairs. It reflects a culture of practical, low-cost maintenance in daily neighborhood life.
Don't confuse with 'Charging'
Never use `充气` for your phone. That's `充电` (filling with electricity). If you ask to 'inflate' your phone, people will be very confused!
The 'Master' Greeting
When asking for air at a repair shop, call the worker `师傅` (Shīfu). It's a respectful way to address skilled workers in China.
En 15 secondes
- Literally means to pump air into an object.
- Used for tires, balloons, and air mattresses.
- Commonly seen at gas stations and bike shops.
What It Means
充气 is a very straightforward verb. It describes the physical act of filling something with air. Think of a bicycle tire or a beach ball. If it is flat, you need to 充气. It is a functional, everyday term you will hear at gas stations or toy stores.
How To Use It
You use it as a standard verb-object phrase. You can say 给 [object] 充气. For example, 给轮胎充气 means inflating a tire. It is simple and direct. You do not need complex grammar to make it work. Just identify what needs air and use the phrase.
When To Use It
Use it when you are at a bike shop. Use it when preparing for a pool party. It is perfect for talking about car maintenance. You might also see it on packaging for inflatable products. It is the go-to word for anything involving a pump. If you are at a gas station, just point to your tire and say this.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for 'cheering someone up.' For that, use 加油. While 充气 means inflating, it does not mean 'encouraging' in a positive way. Also, do not use it for 'charging' a phone. That is 充电. Mixing up air and electricity will definitely get you some funny looks. Avoid using it for 'breathing' either.
Cultural Background
In China, cycling is a huge part of life. You will see small repair stalls on street corners. They often have a sign that simply says 充气. It is a humble, essential service. In modern slang, 充气 sometimes appears in 'inflatable doll' (充气娃娃), which is a common internet joke or insult. Be careful with that context!
Common Variations
You might hear 充气筒 for an air pump. There is also 充气垫 for an air mattress. If something is already full, you say 充好了. If it is leaking, you say 漏气. These variations help you navigate any 'deflated' situation with ease.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is very safe to use in all settings. Just ensure you are talking about something that actually holds air. In spoken Chinese, `打气` is often more common than `充气` for manual pumping.
Don't confuse with 'Charging'
Never use `充气` for your phone. That's `充电` (filling with electricity). If you ask to 'inflate' your phone, people will be very confused!
The 'Master' Greeting
When asking for air at a repair shop, call the worker `师傅` (Shīfu). It's a respectful way to address skilled workers in China.
Free Air Secret
Many small bike shops in China provide a manual pump outside for free use. You don't even need to ask; just look for the `充气` sign.
Exemples
6师傅，能帮我的自行车充气吗？
Master, can you help me inflate my bike tire?
A very common way to ask for help on the street.
我们需要给这些气球充气。
We need to blow up these balloons.
Uses the standard 'give [object] air' structure.
请问哪里可以给汽车轮胎充气？
Excuse me, where can I inflate my car tires?
Polite inquiry in a professional setting.
别忘了给你的充气床垫带个泵。
Don't forget to bring a pump for your air mattress.
Uses the phrase as an adjective for the mattress.
这个玩具充气以后看起来像个外星人。
This toy looks like an alien after being inflated.
Describing a funny result of inflation.
这个球怎么充气都充不进去！
No matter how I try, I can't get air into this ball!
Expressing frustration with a broken valve.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence about a flat tire.
我的自行车没气了，我需要___。
You use `充气` for tires; `充电` is for batteries.
How do you say 'inflate the balloon'?
给气球___。
`生气` means angry and `天气` means weather, so `充气` is the only logical choice.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of '充气'
Talking to friends about pool toys.
帮我充气！
Standard daily use for cars/bikes.
给轮胎充气。
Technical manuals or signage.
自动充气设备。
Where to use '充气'
Gas Station
Car tires
Birthday Party
Balloons
Beach Trip
Swim ring
Camping
Air mattress
Questions fréquentes
11 questionsNo, that is 生气. While both have 气, 充气 is physical inflation and 生气 is the emotion of anger.
Yes! Any ball that needs air uses 充气, such as 给篮球充气.
Yes, filling oxygen or air tanks also uses 充气 or more specifically 充氧 for oxygen.
It is called a 充气筒 (chōngqìtǒng) or 打气筒 (dǎqìtǒng).
Not really. Use 加油 (jiāyóu) for encouragement. 充气 is strictly for physical air.
It is neutral. You can use it with a boss, a friend, or a stranger at a repair shop.
The opposite is 放气 (fàngqì), which means to deflate or let air out.
You use 自动充气 (zìdòng chōngqì), commonly seen on modern camping gear.
No, for prices we usually use 通货膨胀 (inflation in economics) or 涨价 (price rise).
People often use 打气 (dǎqì) instead of 充气 in casual speech. They mean the same thing.
Only if you are joking about them being full of hot air, but it's not a common idiom. Stick to objects.
Expressions liées
打气 (To pump air/To encourage)
充电 (To charge a battery)
漏气 (To leak air)
放气 (To deflate)
充气娃娃 (Inflatable doll)
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