Minicab
MIN-ee-kab /ˈmɪnikæb/
Neutral Neutral
What it really means
A private hire car that must be BOOKED in advance (by phone or app) — it cannot legally pick you up if you hail it in the street. Never get into an unbooked car whose driver offers you a lift outside a club or station.
Chinese explanation
私营预约出租车，必须提前（电话或应用）预订，法律规定不能路边招手即停。切勿上那些在夜店或车站外主动揽客、未经预订的车。
Example conversation
A: A man outside the club said he is a taxi and can take us home.
B: No. Unbooked minicabs are illegal and not safe. Let us order one through the app instead.
A：夜店外面有个男的说他是出租车，可以送我们回家。
B：别去。没有预订的私营出租车既违法又不安全，我们用应用叫一辆吧。
Official sources
Rules and amounts change — confirm important details with the official source.
All Transport
Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team
· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake