noun HSK 4
highway · road · public road
Meaning
公路 refers to a public road or highway built for vehicle traffic, typically connecting cities, towns, or regions. It emphasizes roads that are publicly maintained and suitable for general transportation, as opposed to private roads or small streets.
Usage
Commonly used when discussing transportation infrastructure, road trips, or travel between cities. It's a neutral, formal term suitable for both spoken and written contexts. Often appears in phrases like 高速公路 (highway/expressway) or 国道公路 (national highway).
Examples
- 01这条公路连接两个城市。.This highway connects two cities.
- 02我们开车沿着公路行驶了三个小时。.We drove along the road for three hours.
Characters
Measure words
- 条一条公路
Common collocations
- 高速公路highway, expressway
- 国家公路national highway
- 公路旅行road trip
- 沿着公路along the road
Origin
The term combines 公 (public) with 路 (road), literally meaning 'public road.' This reflects the modern concept of state-maintained roads open to all citizens, as opposed to private paths.