How to Say ‘Did you take a taxi here?’ in Simplified Chinese
你是打车来的吗？
nǐ shì dǎ chē lái de ma
[nee shir dah chur lye de mah]
💬 Usage Tip: Wrap 是 … 的 around a verb to ask how, when or where something already happened. For example, 你是怎么来的？ "How did you get here?" and 你是坐地铁来的吗？ "Did you come by subway?".
Phrase Breakdown
你是打车
nǐ shì dǎ chē
you took a taxi
打车 (dǎchē) means 'to take a taxi.' Here 是 (shì) works with 的 later in the sentence to focus on how you came.
我们打车去吧。
Let's take a taxi there.
Words in this phrase
你
nǐ
[nee]
you
The basic singular word for 'you' in Chinese.
我问邻居你今天忙吗。
I ask my neighbor, 'Are you busy today?'
是
shì
[shir]
to be
The verb “to be,” used to identify or describe a situation.
你是第一次来，所以我给你介绍一下。
Since it’s your first time here, I’ll introduce things to you.
打
dǎ
[dah]
to hit; to start; to use
打 has many meanings; in 打表 it means to start using the meter.
师傅，请打表。
Driver, please use the meter.
车
chē
[chur]
vehicle; car
车 means vehicle or car, and appears in many transport words.
那辆车是出租车。
That car is a taxi.
来的吗？
lái de ma
came (here)?
来 (lái) means 'to come.' 的 (de) completes the 是…的 pattern about how something happened. 吗 (ma) turns the sentence into a yes/no question.
你是坐地铁来的吗？
Did you come by subway?
Words in this phrase
来
lái
[lye]
to come; to arrive
Means “come.” In invitations and welcoming phrases, it implies visiting/coming over.
过年来我家吃饺子吧！
Come to my home during New Year to eat dumplings!
的
de
[de]
emphasis particle (是…的)
Used with 是 to stress how, when or where a past action happened.
我是坐地铁来的。
I came by subway.
吗
ma
[mah]
question particle (yes/no)
Placed at the end of a sentence to turn it into a yes/no question.
新年你回家了吗？
Did you go home for the New Year?
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Lessons for Your Situation
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Shanghai business dinners require real Mandarin skills. This app’s situation-based approach meant I could keep up with clients after just a month of practice.”
Ryan M., 36, Consultant
“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”
Alex M., 42, Software Engineer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager