zuòwèi: 座位 - Seat, Place

• Keywords: zuowei, 座位, seat in Chinese, how to say seat in Mandarin, finding a seat, booking a seat, Chinese word for seat, zuòwèi meaning, seat vs chair in Chinese, seating arrangements in China.
• Summary: 座位 (zuòwèi) is the essential Chinese word for “seat” or a place to sit. Whether you're looking for an empty spot on the subway, booking a window seat on a flight, or finding your assigned place in a movie theater, zuòwèi is the term you need. Beyond its simple definition, understanding the concept of zuòwèi opens a window into Chinese culture, where seating arrangements can reflect social hierarchy, respect, and interpersonal relationships.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zuòwèi
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: A designated place for a person to sit; a seat.
• In a Nutshell: Think of a “seat” in any context, and “座位” is almost certainly the right word. It refers to the specific spot where you are meant to sit. It’s not the physical chair itself (that's a 椅子 - yǐzi), but the space or position that the chair occupies for you. It's a concrete, everyday term that is fundamental for navigating daily life in China.

• 座 (zuò): This character can be seen as a small building or shelter (广) with two people (从, originally 坐) sitting on the earth (土). It pictographically represents a place to sit, a base, or a stand. It implies stability and a designated location.
• 位 (wèi): This character is composed of the person radical (人) and the character for “to stand” (立). It signifies a person's proper place or position. It carries a sense of rank, location, or a designated spot.
• Combined Meaning: When you put them together, 座位 (zuòwèi) literally means a “sitting position” or “seat-place.” The combination is very logical, specifying a location (位) that is intended for sitting (座).

While asking “Is this seat taken?” is universal, the assignment and choice of seats in China carry significant cultural weight, especially in formal settings. In many casual Western contexts, seating is often a free-for-all. You might sit wherever you like at a casual dinner party. In China, however, traditional formal seating arrangements, particularly at banquets (宴会 - yànhuì) or important business meetings, are highly structured and communicate deep social messages. The most important position is the seat of honor (主位 - zhǔwèi), which is typically the one furthest from the door and facing it. This seat is reserved for the host or the guest with the highest status. The other seats are then arranged in descending order of importance. Accepting a seat that is “too good for you” can be seen as arrogant, while offering a prominent seat to someone else is a sign of deep respect (尊敬 - zūnjìng). This practice reflects the underlying cultural values of hierarchy, harmony, and showing “face” (面子 - miànzi). Even in a modern office, the boss's desk and chair are positioned in a commanding spot, and in family gatherings, elders are always given the best seats.

In everyday life, 座位 is a high-frequency word used in numerous situations. Transportation: You use it constantly on buses, trains, and planes. You will ask if a seat is free, look for your reserved seat, or book a specific type of seat. Restaurants and Cafes: The first question you might ask when entering a restaurant is “Do you have any seats?” (请问有座位吗？- Qǐngwèn yǒu zuòwèi ma?). Venues (Cinemas, Theaters, Stadiums): Your ticket will have your 座位号码 (zuòwèi hàomǎ - seat number) on it, and you'll need to find your correct seat. The word itself is neutral and its formality depends entirely on the context.

• Example 1:
  • 请问，这个座位有人吗？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, zhège zuòwèi yǒu rén ma?
  • English: Excuse me, is this seat taken?
  • Analysis: This is perhaps the most common and useful phrase for any learner. It's a polite and direct way to ask if a seat is available on a bus, in a library, or at a cafe.
• Example 2:
  • 对不起，我们的座位都订满了。
  • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, wǒmen de zuòwèi dōu dìng mǎn le.
  • English: Sorry, all our seats are fully booked.
  • Analysis: You'll hear this from a restaurant host or a ticketing agent. “订满 (dìng mǎn)” means “booked full.”
• Example 3:
  • 我想预订一个靠窗的座位。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng yùdìng yī ge kào chuāng de zuòwèi.
  • English: I'd like to reserve a window seat.
  • Analysis: A key phrase for booking flights or trains. “靠窗 (kào chuāng)” literally means “leaning against the window.”
• Example 4:
  • 乘客们，请回到自己的座位并系好安全带。
  • Pinyin: Chéngkè men, qǐng huídào zìjǐ de zuòwèi bìng jì hǎo ānquándài.
  • English: Passengers, please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts.
  • Analysis: A formal announcement you would hear on an airplane. “系好安全带 (jì hǎo ānquándài)” means “to fasten a seatbelt.”
• Example 5:
  • 这趟火车上还有空的座位吗？
  • Pinyin: Zhè tàng huǒchē shàng hái yǒu kōng de zuòwèi ma?
  • English: Are there still empty seats on this train?
  • Analysis: “空 (kōng)” means empty. This is another way to ask about availability, slightly different from “有人吗 (yǒu rén ma - is someone there?).”
• Example 6:
  • 他在音乐厅里找不到自己的座位。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài yīnyuètīng lǐ zhǎo bu dào zìjǐ de zuòwèi.
  • English: He can't find his seat in the concert hall.
  • Analysis: “找不到 (zhǎo bu dào)” is a common resultative complement meaning “can't find.”
• Example 7:
  • 您好，这是我的座位，您是不是坐错了？
  • Pinyin: Nínhǎo, zhè shì wǒ de zuòwèi, nín shì bu shì zuò cuò le?
  • English: Hello, this is my seat. Is it possible you've sat in the wrong one?
  • Analysis: A polite way to claim your assigned seat if someone else is in it. “坐错了 (zuò cuò le)” means “sat incorrectly.”
• Example 8:
  • 我们先找个座位再点餐吧。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xiān zhǎo ge zuòwèi zài diǎn cān ba.
  • English: Let's find a seat first and then order food.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates common sequencing in Chinese using “先…再… (xiān…zài…)” for “first…then…”.
• Example 9:
  • 在中国，宴会上的座位安排很有讲究。
  • Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó, yànhuì shàng de zuòwèi ānpái hěn yǒu jiǎngjiu.
  • English: In China, the seating arrangements at a banquet are very particular.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly addresses the cultural point. “有讲究 (yǒu jiǎngjiu)” is a fantastic phrase meaning “is particular,” “deserves special attention,” or “is sophisticated.”
• Example 10:
  • 阿姨，您坐我这儿吧，我马上到站了。我给您让个座位。
  • Pinyin: Āyí, nín zuò wǒ zhèr ba, wǒ mǎshàng dào zhàn le. Wǒ gěi nín ràng ge zuòwèi.
  • English: Ma'am (auntie), please take my seat, I'm getting off at the next stop. I'll give you my seat.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the act of “让座 (ràngzuò) - giving up a seat,” a common courtesy especially towards the elderly. It shows how the concept of 座位 is tied to social actions.

• 座位 (zuòwèi) vs. 位子 (wèizi): This is a key distinction.
  • 座位 (zuòwèi): Tends to be slightly more formal and often refers to a specific, designated, or official seat (like a numbered seat in a theater or on a plane).
  • 位子 (wèizi): Is more colloquial and very common in spoken language. It can mean “seat” but also a more general “spot” or “space.” In many everyday situations (like finding a spot in a crowded cafeteria), they are interchangeable.
  • Rule of thumb: When in doubt, 座位 is almost always correct and sounds a little more proper. 位子 is what you'll hear more often among friends.
• 座位 (zuòwèi) vs. 地方 (dìfang): A classic beginner mistake.
  • 地方 (dìfang): Means “place” in a general or geographical sense (e.g., “This place is beautiful,” “What place are we going to?”).
  • Incorrect: Pointing to a chair and asking, “这个地方有人吗？” (Zhège dìfang yǒu rén ma?) This sounds like you're asking if the entire area or room is occupied.
  • Correct: Pointing to a chair and asking, “这个座位有人吗？” (Zhège zuòwèi yǒu rén ma?) This correctly asks about the specific seat.
• Using just 座 (zuò): While 座 is the root character for “seat,” it's rarely used alone to mean “a seat.” It's primarily a measure word for large, immovable objects (一座山 - a mountain, 一座城市 - a city) or part of other words (讲座 - lecture). Always use the full word 座位.

• 位子 (wèizi) - A more colloquial synonym for “seat” or “spot.”
• 椅子 (yǐzi) - The physical object: a “chair.” A chair has a 座位.
• 让座 (ràngzuò) - To give up one's seat to someone, a culturally valued act of courtesy.
• 订座 (dìngzuò) - To reserve a seat; to make a reservation (more common for restaurants).
• 入座 (rùzuò) - A formal verb meaning “to take one's seat,” often used by a host or in official instructions.
• 主位 (zhǔwèi) - The seat of honor, the most important seat at a formal gathering.
• 满座 (mǎnzuò) - Full house; no seats left. Literally “full of seats.”
• 座位号 (zuòwèi hào) - Seat number.
• 靠窗座位 (kào chuāng zuòwèi) - A window seat.
• 走道座位 (zǒudào zuòwèi) - An aisle seat.