Chinese Conversation · Level 13
90 words
Chinese word
斑马线
Pronunciation
Pinyinbān mǎ xiàn
Meaning
- nouncrosswalk
Example
请在斑马线上过马路。qǐng zài bān mǎ xiàn shàng guò mǎ lù
Please cross the street at the crosswalk.
More examples
过马路要看信号灯，再走到斑马线上。guò mǎ lù yào kàn xìn hào dēng zài zǒu dào bān mǎ xiàn shàng
When crossing the street, check the traffic light, then walk to the crosswalk.
Core concept
A row of broad, repeated stripes across the pavement that gives pedestrians a clearly marked route through traffic.
Common phrases
在斑马线上过马路zài bān mǎ xiàn shàng guò mǎ lù
cross the street at the crosswalk
等在斑马线前děng zài bān mǎ xiàn qián
wait in front of the crosswalk
Similar words
人行横道rén xíng héng dào: A marked part of a road set aside for pedestrians to cross.
人行道rén xíng dào: A path beside a road for people to walk on.
天桥tiān qiáo: A bridge over a road that lets pedestrians cross above traffic.
地下通道dì xià tōng dào: A passage beneath a road that lets pedestrians reach the other side.
Definition in Chinese
在人行道或车行道上用白色条纹划出的横向通道标志，标明行人横过道路的专用位置zài rén xíng dào huò chē xíng dào shàng yòng bái sè tiáo wén huà chū de héng xiàng tōng dào biāo zhì biāo míng xíng rén héng guò dào lù de zhuān yòng wèi zhì
Word origin
The compound 斑 (bān, "patterned") + 马 (mǎ, "horse") forms 斑马 (bānmǎ, "zebra"), and 线 (xiàn, "line") identifies the striped road marking named for that resemblance.
Usage tips
- The British English term zebra crossing matches the word's visual basis, while American English usually uses crosswalk, so regional English exposure can change the equivalent that comes to mind.