路

• Pinyin: lù
• Hanzi breakdown: 路 = 足 (foot) + 各 (each, phonetic component)

Meaning

Road; way; path. Also used as a measure word for bus routes.

One of the most common words for road or path. Also functions as a measure word for bus lines, such as 12路公交车 (bus route 12). Used in many compound words related to travel and directions.

Examples

1. 这条路很长。 This road is very long.
2. 你坐几路车去学校？ Which bus route do you take to school?
3. 我不认识这条路。 I don't know this road.

Usage Guide

Context: transport, directions

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这条路我走过。(I've been on this road before.)
• 你知道去医院的路吗？(Do you know the way to the hospital?)

Don't Say

• 我坐了一个路的车。(Wrong measure word — say 一路车 when referring to a bus route; 路 itself is the measure word here)

Origin & History

The character combines 足 (foot) and 各 (each/every), suggesting a path walked by many feet.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal