便道

• Pinyin: biàn dào
• Hanzi breakdown: 便 = 亻 (person) + 更 (change); 道 = 辶 (walk) + 首 (head)

Meaning

Sidewalk; footpath; shortcut.

Can refer to a pedestrian pathway alongside a road, or a shortcut/informal path. In northern China, often specifically means sidewalk. Can also refer to a temporary detour or makeshift path.

Examples

1. 请走便道，不要在机动车道上行走。 Please use the sidewalk; don't walk in the vehicle lane.
2. 这条便道是附近居民为了抄近路自己踩出来的。 This shortcut path was worn by local residents taking a quick route.
3. 施工期间请绕行临时便道。 During construction, please use the temporary detour.

Usage Guide

Context: traffic, directions, urban

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 行人请走便道。(Pedestrians please use the sidewalk.)
• 有条便道可以抄近路。(There's a shortcut path we can take.)

Don't Say

• 把主干道叫便道 (Don't call a main road 便道 — it refers to side paths or pedestrian walkways)

Origin & History

便 (convenient) + 道 (path). A convenient path.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal