A shǒu tuī chē is a small, manually operated cart with two or four wheels, typically used to transport goods, luggage, or materials over short distances. The word breaks down literally as 'hand' (手), 'push' (推), and 'vehicle/chariot' (车)—together meaning a vehicle propelled by hand rather than motor or animal power. It emphasizes human effort and portability.

This term commonly refers to wheeled carts seen in markets, construction sites, airports (for luggage), or households—such as folding grocery carts, garden wheelbarrows (though 轮胎车 or 独轮车 may be more precise for single-wheel types), or lightweight trolleys. Unlike larger vehicles like trucks (卡车) or cars (汽车), a 手推车 implies simplicity, low cost, and ease of maneuvering in confined spaces. It’s neutral in register and widely understood across Mandarin-speaking regions.