路
lù
In Chinese, the word for way (in the sense of a road, direction or path) is 路 (lù).
路 is used to refer to physical roads or paths. It can also be used metaphorically, such as in the term 死路 (sǐ lù), which can mean a physical dead-end street or a metaphorical dead end in a situation or in life.
Meaning: road, direction, path (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to specify a particular road or way, you should use the measure word 条 (tiáo), which is the classifier for long, narrow objects. For example, you would say 这条路 (zhè tiáo lù) to mean 'this road' or 'this way'.
How do you pronounce it?
lù
Did you know?
- While 路 describes a physical path, it is also used in the term 路数 (lùshù) to describe a person's 'tricks' or 'modus operandi'.
- The measure word 条 (tiáo) used for 路 is the same classifier used for long, flexible things like fish or snakes.
- The character 路 contains the radical for 'foot' (足), which visually encodes the idea that a 'way' is something navigated by walking.
Examples in context
- 我这就上路。I'm on my way.This sentence uses 路 to describe being on one's way.Tatoeba #707204 by Yashanti, translation #707205 by CK
- 你死路上了？Did you die on your way?This sentence uses 路 to ask about dying on a way.Tatoeba #13850774 by LeviHighway, translation #13850775 by araneo
- 这条路挺险恶。The way is very treacherous.This sentence uses 路 to describe a treacherous way.Tatoeba #9007594 by jacintoo, translation #8668576 by ajje
- 我有一种方法可以解决这个问题。I have a method to solve this problem.
- 我们需要寻找新的途径来提高生产效率。We need to find new ways to improve production efficiency.
- 我有个办法可以解决这个问题。I have a way to solve this problem.
- 我有个不错的路子，可以让你找到好工作。I have a good way to help you find a great job.
- 99 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Jiayi are walking in a city and are lost.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这条路是对的吗？Zhè tiáo lù shì duì de ma?Is this the right way?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我不确定，路好像走错了。Wǒ bù quèdìng, lù háoxiàng zǒu cuò le.I'm not sure, I think we took the wrong way.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我们要怎么走回主路？Wǒmen yào zěnme zǒu huí zhǔ lù?How do we get back to the main road?
- 佳怡 Jiayi快看，那边就是路。Kuài kàn, nàbiān jiùshì lù.Look quickly, the road is right over there.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
