问路 meaning in English
to ask for directions; to ask the way (to some place)
Meaning of 问路
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to ask for directions
- to ask the way (to some place)
How to use 问路
问路 is a verb-object phrase, so the person you ask goes before it with 向 or 跟, not after it. It often appears with 请问 (qǐngwèn) when you start the question. Example: 我迷路了，只好向人问路。(Wǒ mílù le, zhǐhǎo xiàng rén wènlù.) I got lost, so I had to ask someone for directions.
问 (wèn) is a mouth 口 inside a door 门, like someone calling out at a doorway to ask something. Put it with 路 (lù), road, and you get asking someone about the road.
Common mistake: Learners often say 问路他 to mean ask him the way, but since 问路 already has an object, say 向他问路 or 问他怎么走. Also keep 问 (wèn, fourth tone) separate from 门 (mén, door) and 间 (jiān, room or between), which look similar.
问路 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
问 wèn · to ask · 6 strokes
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路 lù · road · 13 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 问路.
| 路上 | lùshang | on the road; on the way; en route |
| 请问 | qǐngwèn | Excuse me, may I ask...? |
| 走路 | zǒulù | to walk; to go on foot; to leave; to depart |
| 马路 | mǎlù | street; road |
| 路口 | lùkǒu | crossing; intersection (of roads) |
| 问题 | wèntí | question; problem |
| 道路 | dàolù | road; path |
| 公路 | gōnglù | highway; road |
| 路边 | lù biān | curb; roadside; wayside |
| 一路顺风 | yīlù-shùnfēng | to have a pleasant journey (idiom) |
| 一路平安 | yīlù-píng'ān | to have a pleasant journey; Bon voyage! |
| 铁路 | tiělù | railroad; railway |
Questions about 问路
What does 问路 mean?
问路 (wènlù) means "to ask for directions; to ask the way (to some place)" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 问路?
问路 is made of 2 characters: 问 (6 strokes), 路 (13 strokes). That is 19 strokes in total.
Is 问路 an HSK word?
Yes. 问路 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 问路 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 问路 is written 問路.
How do I actually ask for directions in Chinese?
Start with 请问 (qǐngwèn) and then ask how to get there: 请问，火车站怎么走？(Qǐngwèn, huǒchēzhàn zěnme zǒu?) Excuse me, how do I get to the train station? You would not normally say the word 问路 to the person you are asking.
Can I put words between 问 and 路?
Yes, because it is a verb plus object, you can split it. For example, 问了一下路 (wèn le yíxià lù) means asked the way briefly, and 问过路 (wèn guo lù) means have asked the way before.