公路

• Pinyin: gōng lù
• Hanzi breakdown: 公 = public; 路 = 足 (foot) + 各 (each) — a path where feet go

Meaning

Highway; road; public road. A road built for motor vehicles.

Refers to main roads and highways between cities or towns. Distinguished from 马路 (city street) and 高速公路 (expressway/motorway).

Examples

1. 这条公路通向海边。 This road leads to the seaside.
2. 公路上的车很多。 There are a lot of cars on the highway.
3. 新建的公路让出行更方便了。 The newly built road has made travelling more convenient.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, travel, infrastructure

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 沿着公路一直走就到了。(Just go straight along the road and you'll get there.)
• 这条公路很宽。(This road is very wide.)

Don't Say

• 不要用公路描述城市里的小街道 — 公路 refers to main roads or highways, not residential streets. Use 马路 or 街道 for city streets.

Origin & History

Compound of 公 (public) and 路 (road), meaning 'public road' — built for general use.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal