路线

• Pinyin: lù xiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 路 = 足 (foot) + 各 (each), meaning a path walked by many; 线 = 纟(silk) + 戋 (small), meaning a thin thread or line

Meaning

Route; itinerary; path. The specific way or road from one place to another.

Used for travel routes (公交路线 = bus route), hiking trails, and also figuratively for political or strategic direction (政治路线 = political line). Very practical in daily life for navigation, travel planning, and giving directions. 路线图 means a route map or roadmap.

Examples

1. 你知道去机场的路线吗？ Do you know the route to the airport?
2. 这条公交路线经过我们学校。 This bus route passes by our school.
3. 旅行之前要先规划好路线。 Before travelling, you should plan the route first.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, transport, navigation

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 我们走哪条路线比较快？(Which route would be faster for us?)
• 这条路线的风景很美。(The scenery along this route is beautiful.)

Don't Say

• 我的路线是学中文。(Don't use 路线 for personal life goals — use 计划 or 打算 instead. 路线 is for physical or strategic routes.)

Origin & History

路 means road or path; 线 means line or thread. Together: the line of a road — a route.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal