How to Say “Rush hour” in Chinese
Time and dates · HSK 3
"Rush hour" in Chinese is 高峰期 (gāo fēng qī). 高峰期 literally means 'peak period' and covers any crowded time, not just traffic; you'll see it for the subway (地铁高峰期), holidays, and even restaurants. For traffic specifically, 早高峰 (morning rush) and 晚高峰 (evening rush) are what locals actually say.
Primary translation
高峰期
gāo fēng qī
Variants by register
Formal
交通高峰期
jiāo tōng gāo fēng qī
Casual
高峰
gāo fēng
When to use it
高峰期 literally means 'peak period' and covers any crowded time, not just traffic; you'll see it for the subway (地铁高峰期), holidays, and even restaurants. For traffic specifically, 早高峰 (morning rush) and 晚高峰 (evening rush) are what locals actually say. In megacities like Beijing and Shanghai, rush hour on the 地铁 (subway) is legendary; expect to be physically pushed onto the train. Didi (滴滴) prices surge during 高峰期, so apps like Alipay Transit often suggest 错峰出行 (travel off-peak).
Example sentences
现在是高峰期，地铁很挤。
Xiàn zài shì gāo fēng qī, dì tiě hěn jǐ.
It's rush hour now, the subway is packed.
早高峰最好别开车。
Zǎo gāo fēng zuì hǎo bié kāi chē.
Better not to drive during morning rush hour.
我们错峰出发吧，避开晚高峰。
Wǒ men cuò fēng chū fā ba, bì kāi wǎn gāo fēng.
Let's leave off-peak to avoid the evening rush.