街

• Pinyin: jiē
• Hanzi breakdown: 街 = 行 (road) + 圭 (phonetic component)

Meaning

Street; road. A general word for a street, especially a commercial or busy one in a city or town.

Typically refers to streets lined with shops, restaurants, or other businesses. Often used in compound words like 街道 (street), 大街 (main street), 街上 (on the street). Different from 路 which is more general for roads.

Examples

1. 这条街上有很多商店。 There are many shops on this street.
2. 我们在街上走了很久。 We walked on the street for a long time.
3. 他住在一条安静的小街上。 He lives on a quiet little street.

Usage Guide

Context: directions, city, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 我们去逛街吧。(Let's go shopping on the street.)
• 这条街很热闹。(This street is very lively.)

Don't Say

• 不要把高速公路叫街 (Don't call a highway 街 — use 高速公路; 街 is for city streets with shops and pedestrians)

Origin & History

An ancient character composed of 行 (to walk, road) with 圭 (phonetic component). Originally depicted a path through a settlement.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal