车道

• Pinyin: chē dào
• Hanzi breakdown: 车 = pictograph of a vehicle; 道 = 辶 (movement) + 首 (head)

Meaning

Traffic lane; lane (on a road). A designated strip of road for vehicles.

Used for all types of lanes including regular lanes, bike lanes, bus lanes, and turning lanes. Common in traffic discussions and driving instructions.

Examples

1. 这条高速公路有六条车道。 This highway has six lanes.
2. 请保持在自己的车道内行驶。 Please stay in your own lane while driving.
3. 公交车专用车道禁止私家车驶入。 Private vehicles are prohibited from entering the bus-only lane.

Usage Guide

Context: traffic, driving

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 变换车道前要先看后视镜。(Check your rearview mirror before changing lanes.)
• 最左边的车道是超车道。(The leftmost lane is the passing lane.)

Don't Say

• 我走在车道上 (Pedestrians shouldn't walk in vehicle lanes — use 人行道 for sidewalk)

Origin & History

Compound of 车 (vehicle) and 道 (road, way). A modern traffic term.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal