Core Meanings
The verb 坐 (zuò) primarily means "to sit." It is used when someone takes a seated position, either on a chair, bench, or the ground. Another very common use is "to take or ride" a mode of transportation, such as a bus, train, or taxi.
Usage Notes
When used to mean "sit," 坐 often appears with location phrases, e.g., 坐在椅子上 (sit on the chair). When referring to transportation, 坐 is followed by the vehicle, e.g., 坐地铁 (take the subway).
Common Collocations and Patterns
- 坐下 (zuò xià): to sit down, often used as a polite invitation.
- 坐车 (zuò chē): to take a car or bus.
- 坐飞机 (zuò fēijī): to fly by plane.
- 坐着说话 (zuò zhe shuōhuà): to talk while sitting, emphasizing the action during sitting.
Register and Tone
坐 is a neutral, everyday verb suitable for formal and informal contexts. It is one of the first verbs learned by beginners due to its high frequency and simple meaning.
Common Confusions
Don't confuse 坐 (zuò) with 站 (zhàn), which means "to stand." Also, 坐 is not used for "riding" animals like horses; 骑 (qí) is used instead.