车道
chēdào
In Chinese, the English phrase 'lane' (referring to a division of a roadway) is translated as 车道 (chēdào).
If you are referring to traditional narrow alleyways found in cities like Beijing, you would use 胡同 instead.
Meaning: division of roadway (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
车道 is a compound of 车 (chē), meaning 'vehicle' and 道 (dào), meaning 'path' or 'road'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Shanghai and the surrounding regions, the term 弄堂 is commonly used to describe narrow alleys or lanes.
How do you pronounce it?
chēdào
Did you know?
- In Beijing, the term 胡同 (hútòng) for a lane is a loanword from Mongolian, reflecting the city's history under the Yuan Dynasty.
- The word 道 (dào) in 车道 is the same character used to represent the concept of 'The Way' or 'Tao' in Chinese philosophy.
- The character 车 (chē) in 车道 has evolved from a pictograph representing a primitive, two-wheeled cart.
Examples in context
- 那个胡同非常狭窄，我们必须小心行走。That lane is extremely narrow, we must walk carefully.
- 她住在那条巷子的拐角处。She lives at the corner of that lane.
- 上海的弄堂里有很多有趣的小店铺。There are many interesting shops in the lanes of Shanghai.
- 他在左侧车道行驶。He is driving in the left lane.
- 这条车道很窄。Zhè tiáo chēdào hěn zhǎi.This lane is very narrow.
- 请保持在你的车道内。Qǐng bǎochí zài nǐ de chēdào nèi.Please stay within your lane.
- 左边的车道正在施工。Zuǒbiān de chēdào zhèngzài shīgōng.The left lane is under construction.
Example conversation
浩然 is driving and asks 梓涵 for directions.
- 浩然 Haoran我们要换哪条车道？Wǒmen yào huàn nǎ tiáo chēdào?Which lane should we change to?
- 梓涵 Zihan换到最右边的车道吧。Huàn dào zuì yòubiān de chēdào ba.Change to the far right lane.
- 浩然 Haoran好的，我准备换了。Hǎo de, wǒ zhǔnbèi huàn le.Okay, I am preparing to change.
- 梓涵 Zihan慢一点，注意安全。Màn yīdiǎn, zhùyì ānquán.Slow down and be careful.
