马车 (mǎ chē) literally means 'horse vehicle' — combining 马 (mǎ), meaning 'horse', and 车 (chē), meaning 'vehicle' or 'cart'. It refers specifically to a traditional carriage pulled by one or more horses, commonly used in China before the 20th century for transportation, ceremonial processions, or agricultural work. Unlike modern vehicles, a mǎ chē has no engine and relies entirely on animal power.

This term appears frequently in historical narratives, literature, and museum descriptions — for example, when discussing imperial travel, rural life in pre-revolutionary China, or cultural heritage sites. While no longer used for daily transport, 马车 remains evocative of tradition, elegance, and bygone eras. It is neutral in register but carries strong historical connotations; it’s rarely used metaphorically and almost never in casual contemporary speech about modern transportation.