'专车' (zhuānchē) literally combines '专' (zhuān), meaning 'dedicated', 'exclusive', or 'specialized', and '车' (chē), meaning 'vehicle' or 'car'. Together, it refers to a vehicle assigned for a specific person, group, or purpose—such as an executive’s private car, a company shuttle, or a ride-hailing service reserved for one passenger. It implies exclusivity, convenience, and often a higher level of service than public transport.

The term is widely used in urban transportation contexts: corporate settings (e.g., employee shuttles), tourism (e.g., hotel-to-attraction transfers), and digital platforms (e.g., Didi’s 'zhuanche' service). Unlike '出租车' (taxi), which is publicly hailed, a 专车 is pre-arranged and not shared with strangers. It can also refer to official government or diplomatic vehicles, where formality and security are emphasized.