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March 24, 2026
路lù(Lu4)
The character 路 (lù) primarily refers to a road or path. It can also denote a journey or route, and is commonly used in contexts involving travel or transportation, such as bus lines. The nuance of the term often relates to both physical pathways and metaphorical journeys in life.
Strokes13Radical足Frequency#479DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, roads symbolize the journey of life and the various paths one can take. Major roads are often associated with historical significance, such as the Silk Road, which facilitated trade and cultural exchange.
Memory Tip
Imagine a winding road (路) leading you to a destination. The character resembles a path with a 'foot' at the bottom, symbolizing travel. Remember that 'lù' sounds like 'loo'—think of needing to find a road to the nearest restroom!
Meanings of 路
lù(Lu4)
1road
2journey
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 路
路Simplified
13Strokes
足Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#479Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 路
Podcast: 路
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AI Study Notes for 路
Quick Contrast
道 (dào) refers to a way or path, often with a philosophical or moral connotation, while 路 (lù) specifically denotes a physical road or route.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a winding road (路) leading you to a destination. The character resembles a path with a 'foot' at the bottom, symbolizing travel. Remember that 'lù' sounds like 'loo'—think of needing to find a road to the nearest restroom!
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 路 (lù) with 旅 (lǚ), which means travel. 路 is more about the physical aspect of roads, while 旅 focuses on the act of traveling. Common collocations include '道路' (dàolù, road) and '路线' (lùxiàn, route).
HSK Study Tips
As HSK Level 2, 路 connects well with other transportation-related words like 车 (chē, car) and 站 (zhàn, station). Students should focus on using it in phrases about travel and directions to solidify their understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, roads symbolize the journey of life and the various paths one can take. Major roads are often associated with historical significance, such as the Silk Road, which facilitated trade and cultural exchange.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 路 with the character 途 (tú), which also means path but is used in more formal or literary contexts. A common error is saying '我在路走' (wǒ zài lù zǒu) instead of '我在路上走' (wǒ zài lù shàng zǒu), which correctly means 'I am walking on the road.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 路
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Grammar Patterns of 路
路 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Students often travel hundreds of miles to get here.
6
那些地区通过完善的公路系统相互连接。
nà xiē dì qū tōng guò wán shàn de gōng lù xì tǒng xiāng hù lián jiē。
The regions are interconnected by an excellent highway system.
7
亚当蹒跚而行，沿路留下毁坏的痕迹。
yà dāng pán shān ér háng， ， yán lù liú xià huǐ huài de hén。
Adam stumbles on, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake.
8
宽阔的马路被缓慢前行的车辆堵得严严实实。
kuān kuò de mǎ lù bèi huǎn màn qián háng de chē liàng dǔ dé yán yán shí shí。
The wide road was blocked solid with traffic that moved along sluggishly.
9
我们通常以为被拦路抢劫的受害者是老年人。
wǒ mén tōng cháng yǐ wéi bèi lán lù qiāng jié de shòu hài zhě shì lǎo nián rén。
We usually think of a victim of mugging as being someone elderly.
10
对于两个七十几岁的人来说，这段路太远了。
duì yú liǎng gè qī shí jī suì de rén lái shuō， ， zhè duàn lù tài yuǎn。
It's a long way to go for two people in their seventies.
Cultural Notes for 路
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, roads symbolize the journey of life and the various paths one can take. Major roads are often associated with historical significance, such as the Silk Road, which facilitated trade and cultural exchange.
Word Family of 路
Compounds4
露lou4surname Lu
璐lu4a beautiful variety of jade
鹭lu4heron, egret; Ardea species (various)
潞Lu4a river in northern China
Words Containing This Character20
路lùroad
路上lùshangon the road
道路dàolùroad
公路gōnglùhighway
一路yílùall the way
路线lùxiànitinerary路線
铁路tiělùrailroad鐵路
线路xiànlùline線路
走路zǒulùto walk
思路sīlùthinking
高速公路gāosùgōnglùexpressway
马路mǎlùstreet馬路
迷路mílùlost
路边lùbiāncurb路邊
路口lùkǒucrossing
出路chūlùa way forward
路过lùguòto pass by or through路過
上路to start on a journey
路面lùmiànpavement
路易斯Louis or Lewis (name)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 露 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 路
路 (lù) refers specifically to a physical road or path, while 道 (dào) can mean way, path, or method, often with a philosophical nuance.
You can say, '这条路很宽' (zhè tiáo lù hěn kuān) meaning 'This road is very wide'.
Yes, 路 can also refer to life's journey or paths in decision-making, such as '人生道路' (rénshēng dào lù) meaning 'the road of life'.
