‘货车’ literally combines ‘货’ (huò), meaning ‘goods’ or ‘cargo’, and ‘车’ (chē), meaning ‘vehicle’ or ‘car’. Together, it refers specifically to a motor vehicle designed for transporting goods—not people—such as delivery trucks, lorries, or freight vans. It is a neutral, standard term used across mainland China in logistics, transportation, and everyday speech.

This word emphasizes function over form: any vehicle whose primary purpose is hauling cargo qualifies as a 货车—even small pickup trucks or large articulated lorries. It contrasts with passenger vehicles like ‘客车’ (kèchē, bus) or ‘轿车’ (jiàochē, sedan). While regional terms exist (e.g., ‘卡车’ for ‘truck’), ‘货车’ is universally understood and frequently appears on road signs, shipping documents, and traffic regulations.