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十字路口 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
十字路口shízìlùkǒucrossroadsHSK 4, unknown, 24 strokes, rank #11945, Medium
十字路口shízìlùkǒuintersectionHSK 4, unknown, 24 strokes, rank #11945, Medium
shízìlùkǒu(shi2zi4lu4kou3) T2
  1. 1crossroads
  2. 2intersection
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March 24, 2026

十字路口shízìlùkǒu(shi2zi4lu4kou3)

十字路口 refers to a crossroads or intersection where two roads meet, typically forming a 'T' or '+' shape. It is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as making decisions or facing critical choices in life.

Strokes24Frequency#11945DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, being at a 十字路口 often symbolizes a moment of significant decision-making, reflecting the importance of choices in one's life path. This idea is echoed in traditional sayings and proverbs.

Memory Tip

Imagine standing at a crossroad with signs pointing in different directions. The character 十 (shí) looks like a cross, while 子 (zǐ) can remind you of a child (you) deciding which path to take. The combination of these characters visualizes the moment of choice at an intersection.

Meanings of 十字路口

shízìlùkǒu(shi2zi4lu4kou3)
1crossroads
2intersection
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About 十字路口

十字路口Simplified
24Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 十字路口

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Podcast: 十字路口

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AI Study Notes for 十字路口

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context in which you use this term, as it can apply both to physical intersections and metaphorical crossroads in life. A common mistake is to confuse it with just '路口' (lùkǒu), which means 'road junction' but lacks the 'cross' implication.

HSK Study Tips

While 十字路口 is not an HSK level word, understanding it can enhance your vocabulary related to navigation and decision-making. Focus on the radicals in the characters to grasp their meanings more effectively, relating them to other directional words.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly say '十字路' instead of '十字路口', omitting the '口' which indicates the 'junction' aspect. Another error is using it in contexts where a simpler term like '路口' would suffice.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 十字路口

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Idiom Spotlight: 十字路口

Chengyu Origin Story
Literal meaning:ten character road mouth

Component Characters

十shíten
HSK 12 strokes十
View full entry
字zìletter
HSK 16 strokes子
View full entry
路lùroad
HSK 213 strokes足
View full entry
口kǒumouth
HSK 13 strokes口
View full entry

How to say crossroads in Chinese

“crossroads” in Chinese is十字路口shízìlùkǒu

十字路口 refers to a crossroads or intersection where two roads meet, typically forming a 'T' or '+' shape. It is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as making decisions or facing critical choices in life.

When to use 十字路口

Be mindful of the context in which you use this term, as it can apply both to physical intersections and metaphorical crossroads in life. A common mistake is to confuse it with just '路口' (lùkǒu), which means 'road junction' but lacks the 'cross' implication.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly say '十字路' instead of '十字路口', omitting the '口' which indicates the 'junction' aspect. Another error is using it in contexts where a simpler term like '路口' would suffice.

Write 十字路口

十
字
路
口

Practice writing 十字路口 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 十字路口

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, crossroads may symbolize a choice as well, but they often lack the deep philosophical connotation found in Chinese culture about fate and destiny.

Frequently Asked Questions about 十字路口

It literally translates to 'cross road opening' or 'cross intersection'.

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