Chinese word

半路

Pronunciation

Pinyinbàn lù

Meaning

  • nounon the way

Example

我们在半路遇到朋友。wǒ men zài bàn lù yù dào péng yǒu

We met a friend on the way.

Illustration for 半路 (on the way)

More examples

我在半路改变了主意，决定回家。wǒ zài bàn lù gǎi biàn le zhǔ yì jué dìng huí jiā

I changed my mind on the way and decided to go home.

Core concept

The in-between point of a journey or process, neither its beginning nor its end.

Common phrases

  • 在半路遇到zài bàn lù yù dào

    meet on the way

  • 在半路改变主意zài bàn lù gǎi biàn zhǔ yì

    change one's mind on the way

  • 半路出家bàn lù chū jiā

    change careers midway

Similar words

途中tú zhōng: A point or place reached during a journey or while an activity is in progress.
中途zhōng tú: A midway stage in a process, especially when it stops before completion.
路上lù shàng: A place on a road or street while traveling.

Definition in Chinese

指在去往某地或进行某事的过程中处于中间的时间或地点，作为名词表示途中的一部分，口语中常用。zhǐ zài qù wǎng mǒu dì huò jìn xíng mǒu shì de guò chéng zhōng chǔ yú zhōng jiān de shí jiān huò dì diǎn zuò wéi míng cí biǎo shì tú zhōng de yí bù fèn kóu yǔ zhōng cháng yòng

Word origin

The word joins 半 (bàn, "half") with 路 (lù, "road"), presenting a journey as a road and its middle as the place where progress is partway complete.

Usage tips

  • A physical road is not required, because everyday Chinese also uses this word for being in the middle of an activity or plan.

Other meanings

  • halfwaynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 半路出家bàn lù chū jiāchange careers midwayidiom
  • 半路而废bàn lù ér fèigive up halfwayidiom

Word lists with this word