骑手 literally combines 骑 (qí), meaning 'to ride' (especially on horses or bicycles), and 手 (shǒu), meaning 'person' or 'practitioner'. Together, it refers to a person who rides—most commonly a horseback rider or equestrian, but also used for bicycle or motorcycle riders in modern contexts. Historically rooted in horsemanship, the term evokes skill, control, and partnership with the animal.

In contemporary usage, 骑手 has broadened to include delivery riders (e.g., food or package couriers on electric scooters), especially in urban settings—a shift reflecting how language adapts to new social roles. However, in formal or traditional contexts—such as equestrian sports, historical dramas, or rural life—it retains its core meaning of an expert horse rider. The word is neutral in register and appears in both spoken and written Chinese.