路
lù
The English phrase 'road' can be translated into Chinese using several forms, most commonly 路 (lù). Wiktionary also lists 道路 (dàolù) and 馬路 / 马路 (mǎlù).
Meaning: a way for travel (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 路 | lù |
| 道路 | dàolù |
| 馬路 / 马路 | mǎlù |
| 道 | dào |
路 (lù) refers to a way for travel. It can refer to a physical road or path, but it can also be used abstractly to mean a 'way' or 'method' of doing something. In an urban setting, you might use 街道 (jiēdào) to specifically mean a 'street'.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 马路 (mǎlù) literally translates to 'horse road', which refers to a road used by vehicles.
Which one should you use?
路 is the most general term for a road, path or route. In contrast, 道路 (dàolù) is more formal and is often used in written contexts or to describe the concept of a thoroughfare.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting roads or specifying a particular road, use the measure word 条 (tiáo), such as in 这条路 (zhè tiáo lù), meaning 'this road'.
How do you pronounce it?
lù
Did you know?
- Some linguists suggest that the term 马路 (mǎlù) might be a clever phonetic match for the English word 'macadam', a type of road construction.
- While 路 refers to a physical path, the concept of 道 is used in philosophy to describe the 'Way' or the ultimate principle of the universe in Taoism.
- In Chinese, the measure word 条 is used for roads, which is the same measure word used for long, thin, and flexible things like fish, rivers and trousers.
Examples in context
- 別在馬路上玩。Don't play in the road.This sentence is useful for a warning about playing in the road using 路.Tatoeba #3718941 by egg0073, translation #6272034 by CK
- 這條路在哪裡？Where is this road?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of a road using 路.Tatoeba #6158472 by xjjAstrus, translation #6276481 by Kiwi
- 太平路在哪裡？Where is Taiping road?Tatoeba #6158473 by xjjAstrus, translation #6159781 by leishenki
- 为了到达博物馆，你需要沿着这条路走。In order to reach the museum, you need to follow this road:
- 我家附近正在修建一条新的道路。They are currently constructing a new road near my house:
- 这条路在高峰时段总是很拥挤。This road is always crowded during rush hours:
- 这条道路上车辆很拥堵。There is heavy traffic on this road:
- 如果你沿着这条路走，会找到一些很棒的餐厅。If you follow this road, you'll find some great restaurants:
- 89 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zihan and Haoran are looking for a specific location.
- 梓涵 Zihan這條路很窄。Zhè tiáo lù hěn zhǎi.This road is very narrow.
- 浩然 Haoran我們應該走另一條路。Wǒmen yīnggāi zǒu lìng yī tiáo lù.We should take another road.
- 梓涵 Zihan那條路會更快嗎？Nà tiáo lù huì gèng kuài ma?Will that road be faster?
- 浩然 Haoran是的，那是捷徑。Shì de, nà shì jiéjìng.Yes, that is a shortcut.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “road” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 路, 道, 馬路, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
