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道路 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
道路dàolùroadHSK 4, unknown, 25 strokes, rank #3423, Medium
道路dàolùpathHSK 4, unknown, 25 strokes, rank #3423, Medium
道路dàolùwayHSK 4, unknown, 25 strokes, rank #3423, Medium
dàolù(dao4lu4)dao lu T4
  1. 1road
  2. 2path
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March 24, 2026

道路dàolù(dao4lu4)

道路 (dàolù) refers to a road, path, or way that facilitates travel or movement. It can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as discussing physical roads or one's life path and choices. The term is commonly used in navigation or urban planning discussions.

Strokes25Frequency#3423DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of '道路' ties closely to philosophical ideas about life paths, often reflecting Confucian values of choosing a righteous way in life. Roads symbolize the journey one takes in pursuit of personal and societal harmony.

Memory Tip

Think of 道 as a 'way' and 路 as a 'route.' Visualize a winding path where you take a 'dao' (道) to find your 'lu' (路) — together they create a journey. Imagine walking on a road marked by signs pointing to different life choices.

Meanings of 道路

dàolù(dao4lu4)
1road
2path
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 道路

道路Simplified
25Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
条Measure Word
HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL2YCTL3HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 道路

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Podcast: 道路

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AI Study Notes for 道路

Quick Contrast

路 (lù) vs 街 (jiē) — use 道路 for a more formal or broader term encompassing all types of roads, while 路 is more casual and 街 specifically refers to streets.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context in which you use 道路; it is more formal than simply saying '路' (lù), which can refer to a road in everyday conversation. Common collocations include '道路交通' (traffic on the road) and '道路规划' (road planning). Watch out for tone errors, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion.

HSK Study Tips

道路 is relevant for HSK Level 4 learners, connecting with other words related to travel and direction such as '行' (xíng - to walk) and '车' (chē - vehicle). Focus on using it in sentences to describe routes or directions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 道路 with just 路, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我走在路' (I walk on the road) should be '我走在道路上' (I walk on the road) for clarity in formal contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 道路

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Component Characters

道dàodirection
HSK 412 strokes辶
View full entry
路lùroad
HSK 213 strokes足
View full entry

How to say road in Chinese

“road” in Chinese is道路dàolù

道路 (dàolù) refers to a road, path, or way that facilitates travel or movement. It can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as discussing physical roads or one's life path and choices. The term is commonly used in navigation or urban planning discussions.

When to use 道路

Be mindful of the context in which you use 道路; it is more formal than simply saying '路' (lù), which can refer to a road in everyday conversation. Common collocations include '道路交通' (traffic on the road) and '道路规划' (road planning). Watch out for tone errors, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion.

道路 or something close to it

路 (lù) vs 街 (jiē) — use 道路 for a more formal or broader term encompassing all types of roads, while 路 is more casual and 街 specifically refers to streets.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 道路 with just 路, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我走在路' (I walk on the road) should be '我走在道路上' (I walk on the road) for clarity in formal contexts.

Write 道路

道
路

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

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Cultural Notes for 道路

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the concept of 'road' may not carry the same philosophical weight as it does in Chinese culture, where it often symbolizes one's moral and life choices.

Frequently Asked Questions about 道路

You can say '这条道路很繁忙' (This road is very busy) to describe a specific road.

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