问路

• Pinyin: wèn lù
• Hanzi breakdown: 问 = 门 (door) + 口 (mouth) — to ask; 路 = 足 (foot) + 各 (each) — road, way

Meaning

To ask for directions. The act of asking someone how to get to a place.

A common activity for travellers and anyone unfamiliar with an area. In Chinese culture, asking strangers for directions is very normal and generally well-received. Often paired with 请问 (excuse me) when approaching someone. Still useful despite the rise of GPS navigation.

Examples

1. 我迷路了，需要问路。 I'm lost, I need to ask for directions.
2. 他向一位老人问路。 He asked an elderly person for directions.
3. 在中国问路，大家都很热心。 When asking for directions in China, people are very helpful.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, navigation, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请问，去火车站怎么走？(Excuse me, how do I get to the train station?)
• 我不认识路，要问路。(I don't know the way, I need to ask for directions.)

Don't Say

• 问路一个地图 (Don't say 问路 to a map — 问路 means asking a person for directions; for using a map, say 查地图 or 看地图)

Origin & History

问 (wèn, to ask) + 路 (lù, road/way). To ask about the road — to ask for directions.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal