马路

• Pinyin: mǎ lù
• Hanzi breakdown: 马 = simplified form of 馬, pictograph of a horse; 路 = 足 (foot) + 各 (phonetic)

Meaning

Road; street. A paved road in a city or town, typically for vehicles and pedestrians.

More colloquial than 路 alone. Specifically refers to a paved street or road, especially in urban areas. Very commonly used in phrases about crossing the street or road safety.

Examples

1. 过马路要看红绿灯。 Look at the traffic lights when crossing the road.
2. 马路上有很多车。 There are many cars on the road.
3. 小朋友不能一个人过马路。 Children shouldn't cross the road alone.

Usage Guide

Context: transport, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 过马路的时候要小心。(Be careful when crossing the road.)
• 马路对面有一家超市。(There is a supermarket across the road.)

Don't Say

• 我在马路里走。(Wrong preposition — say 我在马路上走; use 上 not 里 for surfaces like roads)

Origin & History

Historically, 马路 referred to a road wide enough for horses (马). In modern usage, it simply means a paved road or street.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal