Why are automobiles called automobiles?

[PaisleyLynn]

Automobiles are called automobiles because: 1. Origin: The earliest automobiles mainly used steam engines as power, hence the name. 2. Definition: Automobile refers to a transport vehicle powered by combustible gas, or a vehicle equipped with its own power-driven system. Generally, it has four or more wheels and operates on land without relying on tracks or overhead lines. Relevant information about automobiles is as follows: 1. Main uses: Transporting people and/or goods; towing vehicles that carry people and/or goods; special purposes. 2. Classification: (1) Passenger cars: Sedan, convertible, luxury car, compact car, roadster, hatchback, station wagon, multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), forward control passenger car, off-road passenger car, special-purpose passenger car. (2) Commercial vehicles: Bus, semi-trailer tractor, truck.

[MacKimberly]

Why are cars called "cars"? This question takes me back to the long river of history. In the late 19th century, the first true automobile was born, powered entirely by a steam engine, much like the old-fashioned trains, where burning coal boiled water to produce steam that drove the wheels. When this type of vehicle was introduced to China, people naturally called it "qì chē" (汽车), because "qì" (汽) in Chinese refers to steam or vapor. Later, in the early 20th century, Ford and Mercedes-Benz introduced gasoline-powered cars, but the name "qì chē" had already taken root, and people habitually continued to use it without changing it. Looking back now, it's quite interesting how the name remains locked in that steam era, even though modern cars run on gasoline or electricity. This demonstrates the cultural inertia of language—how a simple word can carry a century of history, reminding us of continuity amid technological change. I think learning a bit of automotive history can make driving feel more storied.