一路平安
yī lù píng'ān
The English phrase "safe journey" is translated into Chinese as 一路平安 (yī lù píng'ān).
一路平安 is a common expression used to wish someone a secure and uneventful trip. It is typically used when seeing someone off at locations such as an airport, a train station or when they are departing from home.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "one road peace". The part yī lù means "the whole way" and píng'ān means "safe and sound".
Which one should you use?
While 一路平安 focuses specifically on safety and the avoidance of accidents during a trip, another common expression 一路顺风 (literally "may the wind be at your back") focuses more on the smoothness and ease of the travel.
How do you pronounce it?
yī lù píng'ān
When do people say it?
When seeing someone off, you can use 一路平安 to wish them a safe trip. For a simple departure, you might also use 再见, which means "goodbye".
Did you know?
- If you say 一路顺风 (smooth wind) to someone traveling by airplane, some superstitious elders might actually take offense, believing it is bad luck to wish for wind during a flight.
- The character 安 in 平安 is an ancient pictograph depicting a woman under a roof, reflecting the traditional belief that a household is only 'safe' when the woman is present.
- In traditional Chinese culture, wishing for 'peace' 平安 is often considered more important than wishing for 'luck' or 'success' because safety is the fundamental requirement for all other goals.
Examples in context
- 祝你一路平安。zhù nǐ yī lù píng ān.I wish you a safe journey.
- 你要一路平安哦。nǐ yào yī lù píng ān o.Please have a safe journey.
- 同学们，一路平安！tóng xué men, yī lù píng ān!Students, safe journey!
Example conversation
Wei is leaving for a long trip and Yuting sees him off at the station.
- 雨婷 Yuting伟，你要出发了吗？wěi, nǐ yào chū fā le ma?Wei, are you leaving now?
- 伟 Wei是的，我该走了。shì de, wǒ gāi zǒu le.Yes, I should go.
- 雨婷 Yuting路上注意安全，一路平安！lù shang zhù yì ān quán, yī lù píng ān!Be careful on the road, safe journey!
- 伟 Wei谢谢你，雨婷。xiè xiè nǐ, yǔ tíng.Thank you, Yuting.
