一带一路
yídài yílù
The acronym BRI refers to the Belt and Road Initiative in Chinese as 一带一路 (yídài yílù).
一带一路 is used to refer to the Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure development strategy led by the Chinese government.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'One Belt, One Road'. It is composed of: 一 (yī) meaning 'one', 带 (dài) meaning 'belt' or 'band' and 路 (lù) meaning 'road' or 'path'.
How do you pronounce it?
yídài yílù
Did you know?
- Depending on the region, the term 路 (lù) in this phrase can be interpreted as including 'digital roads', referring to the 'Digital Silk Road' involving fiber optic cables and 5G networks.
- The character 路 (lù) can mean a physical road, but in the context of 一带一路, it also encompasses 'routes' involving maritime shipping lanes, which is why the English translation is often expanded to 'Belt and Road'.
- In Chinese official discourse, 一带一路 is often paired with the phrase 共建 (gòngjiàn), meaning 'jointly build', to emphasize a partnership over a unilateral project.
Examples in context
- 尊敬的布莱先生 / 女士 (Zūn jìng de bù lái xiān shēng / nǚ shì)，您好！Dear Mr./Ms. Bri, hello!
- 嗨，布里！最近过得怎么样？Hi, Bri! How have you been recently?
- 布里，我们一起去看电影吧！Bri, let's go watch a movie together!
- 我们在讨论关于“一带一路”的政策。Wǒmen zài tǎolùn guānyú “Yídài Yílù” de zhèngcè.We are discussing policies regarding the Belt and Road Initiative.
- 他很了解“一带一路”的发展情况。Tā hěn liǎojiě “Yídài Yílù” de fāzhǎn qíngkuàng.He understands the development of the Belt and Road Initiative very well.
Example conversation
Wei and Xiaowen are discussing current events in a cafe.
- 伟 Wei晓雯，你对一带一路感兴趣吗？Xiǎowén, nǐ duì yīdài yīlù gǎn xìngqù ma?Xiaowen, are you interested in the Belt and Road Initiative?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我对这个全球战略很感兴趣。Wǒ duì zhège quánqiú zhànlüè hěn gǎn xìngqù.I am very interested in this global strategy.
- 伟 Wei它在基础设施建设方面很有影响力。Tā zài jīchǔ shèshī jiànshè fāngmiàn hěn yǒu yǐngxiǎnglì.It has a lot of influence in infrastructure construction.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是的，伟，这确实很重要。Shì de, Wěi, zhè quèshí hěn zhòngyào.Yes, Wei, this is indeed very important.
