小路

• Pinyin: xiǎo lù
• Hanzi breakdown: 小 = small; 路 = 足 + 各 (foot + each direction — a road walked by feet)

Meaning

Small path; a narrow trail or lane, often unpaved and away from main roads.

Evokes rural or natural settings, hidden shortcuts, or intimate routes. Frequently used in literary and poetic contexts to create a sense of tranquility, remoteness, or a journey off the beaten track. Also used literally for alleyways or back lanes.

Examples

1. 沿着村边的那条小路走下去，便能看见一片开阔的田野。 Follow the small path along the edge of the village, and you’ll see a wide, open stretch of farmland.
2. 他发现了一条穿越树林的小路，比公路近了将近一半的路程。 He found a small trail through the woods that cut nearly half the distance compared with the highway.
3. 清晨漫步于弯曲的石板小路上，感受着薄雾中沁人心脾的清新气息。 In the early morning, he strolled along the winding stone-paved path, breathing in the crisp freshness that came with the light mist.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, travel, literature

Tone: peaceful

Do Say

• 这条弯曲的小路穿越了整片竹林，是附近居民晨练散步的绝佳去处。(This winding path runs through the entire bamboo grove — an ideal spot for nearby residents to walk and exercise in the morning.)
• 他摸黑走上了一条陌生的小路，借着月光辨认方向，最终找到了出口。(He ventured down an unfamiliar narrow path in the dark, using moonlight to find his bearings, and eventually reached the exit.)

Don't Say

• 走小路吧，更快 — perfectly natural in speech; just note that in formal writing 小道 may also be used, and 捷径 specifically means 'shortcut'

Origin & History

小 (small/narrow) + 路 (road/path) — a small or narrow road

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal