noun HSK 5
way · route · road · journey
Meaning
途 refers to a path, route, or way of traveling or reaching a destination. It appears more commonly in written or formal Chinese than in everyday spoken conversation. The character emphasizes the concept of a journey or the means by which one travels from one place to another.
Usage
途 is typically used in formal or literary contexts and frequently appears in compound words rather than standing alone. Common in phrases about journeys, methods, or channels. It's more elevated in register than colloquial words like 路 (lù).
Examples
- 01我们在旅途中遇到了很多有趣的人。.We met many interesting people during our journey.
- 02他有光明的前途。.He has a bright future ahead of him.
Measure words
- 条一条途径
Common collocations
- 半途而废to give up halfway
- 前途future, prospects
- 旅途journey
- 途中on the way, en route
Origin
The character 途 combines the walking radical 辶 (indicating movement) with 余 (yú, meaning surplus or I/me in classical Chinese), originally depicting the concept of one's path or way forward.