Understanding "走路" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 走路
• Pinyin: zǒu lù
• Literal Meaning: "walk" (走) + "road" (路) = "walk the road"
• Primary Meaning: To walk; the act of moving on foot.

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
  "走路" is a common verb phrase used to describe the action of walking. It is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Unlike English, where "walk" can stand alone, Chinese often pairs "走" (walk) with "路" (road/path) to form a complete action.

• Nuance: While it primarily means "to walk," it can also imply "to leave" or "to go on foot" depending on context.

• Character Breakdown:

• 走 (zǒu): Means "to walk" or "to go." It can also imply "to leave" in certain contexts.
• 路 (lù): Means "road," "path," or "way." Combined, the phrase emphasizes the act of moving along a path.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 我每天走路去上班。
   Pinyin: Wǒ měi tiān zǒu lù qù shàng bān.
   English: I walk to work every day.

2. Chinese: 小孩子刚学会走路。
   Pinyin: Xiǎo háizi gāng xuéhuì zǒu lù.
   English: The little child just learned to walk.

3. Chinese: 太晚了，我们走路回家吧。
   Pinyin: Tài wǎn le, wǒmen zǒu lù huí jiā ba.
   English: It’s too late; let’s walk home.

Cultural Notes

• In Chinese culture, walking (走路) is often seen as a healthy and practical way to get around, especially in crowded cities where traffic can be heavy.
• The phrase can also appear in idioms or proverbs, such as "走路看路" (zǒu lù kàn lù), meaning "watch your step" (literally "walk the road, look at the road"), emphasizing caution.

Conclusion

"走路" (zǒu lù) is a straightforward yet essential word in Chinese, meaning "to walk." Remember that it combines "走" (walk) and "路" (road) to describe the action. Use it in daily conversations to talk about walking habits, commutes, or even learning to walk as a child.