Chinese word

问路

Pronunciation

Pinyinwèn lù

Meaning

  • verbask for directions

Example

我在街上向陌生人问路。wǒ zài jiē shàng xiàng mò shēng rén wèn lù

I ask a stranger for directions on the street.

Illustration for 问路 (ask for directions)

More examples

下车后我向路人问路。xià chē hòu wǒ xiàng lù rén wèn lù

After getting off, I asked a passerby for directions.

Core concept

Seeking a path to a place by asking another person.

Common phrases

  • 向陌生人问路xiàng mò shēng rén wèn lù

    ask a stranger for directions

  • 向路人问路xiàng lù rén wèn lù

    ask a passerby for directions

Similar words

问wèn: Asks another person for information or an answer.
指路zhǐ lù: Shows someone how to get to a place by speaking or gesturing.

Definition in Chinese

在街上或公共场所向别人询问到某地的路线或行走方向。zài jiē shàng huò gōng gòng cháng suǒ xiàng bié rén xún wèn dào mǒu dì de lù xiàn huò xíng zǒu fāng xiàng

Word origin

问路 (wènlù, "ask for directions") combines 问 (wèn, "ask") + 路 (lù, "road"), so its literal structure names the act of seeking a route from someone.

Usage tips

  • In Chinese, 请问 (qǐngwèn, "excuse me") is a natural polite opener before naming a destination and asking how to get there.

Opposites

Related words

  • 问路人wèn lù rénperson who asks for directionsnoun

Word lists with this word