Why are station wagons called 'wagon' in China?
2 Answers
In English, station wagons are called 'wagon', and domestically they are referred to as 'wagon' cars. Here is some related information: 1. Advantages: The body is sleek and elegant, making it very suitable for family trips because it has a large cargo capacity. Station wagons are not tall, but their super spacious trunks increase the weight at the rear, balancing the front-heavy issue. 2. Disadvantages: They are relatively expensive, and there are fewer style options available, with most station wagons being imported. Station wagons are popular in Europe and America because families often go on long trips and need to carry a lot of luggage, mainly for hauling goods. In China, long family trips are rare, and short trips are more common, so the extra cargo space is unnecessary. The design of station wagons prioritizes cargo space over passenger space. They have a more casual style and are not suitable for commercial use.
The term 'Wagon' for a station wagon is actually a transliteration from the English word 'Wagon.' In English, 'Wagon' originally refers to a carriage or a freight vehicle, meaning a vehicle designed to carry goods. As automobiles evolved, the term was adopted to describe cars with large rear trunks, known as station wagons. In Chinese, it's transliterated as 'Wa Guan' (瓦罐), which rolls off the tongue and is quite vivid—since the rear compartment of a station wagon is wide and deep, resembling a large earthenware jar that can hold a lot of stuff. Some people love this nickname because it's down-to-earth, easy to remember, and feels more affectionate than saying 'station wagon.' I've heard old car enthusiasts reminisce that this term became popular in the '80s when imported cars started appearing. Even now, car enthusiasts use it humorously at meetups to highlight the practicality of station wagons—it's really quite amusing.
