迷路
mílù
In Chinese, the English phrase "lost" (unable to find one's way) is expressed as 迷路 (mílù).
The most common way to say you are lost in Chinese is to use 迷路, which literally translates to "lose one's way".
Meaning: unable to find one's way (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 迷路 is composed of 迷, meaning to be lost or confused and 路, meaning road or path.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, the formal expression 迷失方向 is common.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that someone has already become lost (a change of state), you can add the particle 了 after the word, forming 迷路了.
How do you pronounce it?
mílù
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, the character 迷 can be used as a noun to mean a 'fan' or an 'enthusiast', similar to how an English speaker might be 'lost' in a hobby.
- The character 迷 in 迷路 does not just mean 'lost', it also carries the sense of being 'enchanted' or 'obsessed' with something, much like a person 'lost' in music.
- In a more poetic or heavy sense, the term 迷惘 is used for being 'lost' in life or purpose, representing a much deeper, existential disorientation than simply missing a street sign.
Examples in context
- 這次別迷路。Try not to get lost this time.This sentence is useful for advising someone not to get lost with 迷路.Tatoeba #9533739 by verdastelo9604, translation #8812308 by CK
- 尽量别迷路。Try not to get lost.Tatoeba #9959036 by GlossaMatik, translation #6357387 by CK
- 拉雅迷路了。Raya got lost.This sentence is useful for stating that someone has become lost with 迷路.Tatoeba #9963239 by GlossaMatik, translation #10663773 by transfusion
- 36 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jiayi and Zhiqiang are walking in a new city.
- 佳怡 Jiayi志强，我们是不是迷路了？Zhìqiáng, wǒmen shì bú shì mílù le?Zhiqiang, are we lost?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我不确定，地图好像出错了。Wǒ bù quèdìng, dìtú hǎoxiàng chūcuò le.I'm not sure, the map seems to be wrong.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我们快问问那边的人吧。Wǒmen kuài wènwen nàbiān de rén ba.Let's quickly ask the people over there.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好，我来问，别担心迷路。Hǎo, wǒ lái wèn, bié dānxīn mílù.Okay, I'll ask, don't worry about getting lost.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lost” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
