半路

• Pinyin: bàn lù
• Hanzi breakdown: 半 = half; 路 = road/path

Meaning

Halfway; midway; on the way; partway through.

Can refer to the physical middle of a journey or, more commonly, to being partway through a process or career. Often used in expressions like 半路出家 (to take up a profession late in life).

Examples

1. 我们半路上遇到了堵车，迟到了半小时。 We hit traffic on the way and were half an hour late.
2. 他半路改行做了程序员，现在混得还不错。 He switched careers midway and became a programmer — he's doing pretty well now.
3. 项目进行到半路，投资方突然撤资了。 Halfway through the project, the investor suddenly pulled out.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, career

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 半路杀出个程咬金。(An unexpected interference halfway through.)
• 他是半路出家的设计师。(He switched to design mid-career.)

Don't Say

• 把刚开始的事情说成'半路' (Don't use 半路 for something just beginning — it implies being already partway through)

Origin & History

半 (half) + 路 (road/way). Halfway along the road.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal