lùxiàn: 路线 - Route, Itinerary, Line (of policy)

• Keywords: 路线, lùxiàn, Chinese for route, Chinese for path, political line in Chinese, itinerary in Chinese, travel route in Chinese, bus route, what does luxian mean, 路线 vs 道路, how to use 路线.
• Summary: An essential HSK 4 word, 路线 (lùxiàn) literally means a “route” or “path,” like a bus route or a travel itinerary. However, its meaning extends metaphorically to a “course of action,” a “strategic plan,” or, most significantly, a “political line” in official contexts. Understanding 路线 is key to discussing everything from travel plans to national policy in Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): lùxiàn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A specific, planned path, route, itinerary, or course of action.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 路线 (lùxiàn) as a specific “line” you follow. It can be a physical line on a map, like a subway line or a hiking trail. It can also be a metaphorical line, like a company's development strategy or a government's official policy. The key idea is that a 路线 is a pre-determined or planned course, not just a random road or direction.

• 路 (lù): This character means “road,” “path,” or “way.” It's composed of the “foot” radical (足) and a phonetic component (各), suggesting a path that one walks on.
• 线 (xiàn): This character means “line,” “thread,” or “wire.” The “silk” radical (纟) on the left clearly points to its origin related to thread or string.
• When combined, 路线 (lùxiàn) literally translates to a “road-line.” This powerfully evokes the image of a line drawn on a map, representing a specific, designated path to follow, which is the core of the word's meaning.

The most profound cultural significance of 路线 lies in its political usage. In the People's Republic of China, the “Party's line” (党的路线 - dǎng de lùxiàn) is a foundational concept. It refers to the official ideology, strategic direction, and set of policies mandated by the Communist Party of China (CPC) at any given time. This can be compared to a “party platform” in Western democracies, but the comparison has limits. A Western party platform is a set of proposals used to win elections and is open to public debate. In contrast, the Party's 路线 is a top-down directive that sets the unswerving course for the entire nation. Phrases like “to follow the correct line” (坚持正确的路线) are common in political discourse and reflect a cultural value placed on collective unity and following the established path laid out by leadership. This contrasts with Western individualistic ideals where “forging your own path” is often celebrated. Therefore, understanding 路线 gives insight into the structure of Chinese governance and social organization.

路线 is an incredibly common and practical word used in various daily contexts.

• Travel and Transportation: This is the most frequent usage for beginners. It's used for planning trips and navigating cities.
  • 旅游路线 (lǚyóu lùxiàn): travel itinerary/tourist route
  • 公交车路线 (gōngjiāochē lùxiàn): public bus route
  • 地铁路线 (dìtiě lùxiàn): subway/metro line
• Strategy and Planning (Business/Personal): It's used metaphorically to describe a strategic path.
  • 发展路线 (fāzhǎn lùxiàn): development path/strategy (for a company)
  • 职业路线 (zhíyè lùxiàn): career path
  • 人生路线 (rénshēng lùxiàn): life path
• Politics and Ideology: As discussed, this is its most formal and significant usage.
  • 政治路线 (zhèngzhì lùxiàn): political line
  • 基本路线 (jīběn lùxiàn): basic line (referring to the CPC's core principles)

The word's connotation is generally neutral; it simply describes a designated course.

• Example 1:
  • 我们为这次旅行设计了一条完美的路线。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen wèi zhè cì lǚxíng shèjì le yī tiáo wánměi de lùxiàn.
  • English: We designed a perfect itinerary for this trip.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of 路线 being used for travel planning. The measure word for 路线 is 条 (tiáo), as it's a long, thin thing.
• Example 2:
  • 你知道去市中心的公交车路线吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zhīdào qù shì zhōngxīn de gōngjiāochē lùxiàn ma?
  • English: Do you know the bus route to the city center?
  • Analysis: A very practical question for daily life. Here, 路线 refers to the specific path the bus takes.
• Example 3:
  • 这条徒步路线风景很美，但是有点危险。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tiáo túbù lùxiàn fēngjǐng hěn měi, dànshì yǒudiǎn wēixiǎn.
  • English: This hiking route's scenery is beautiful, but it's a bit dangerous.
  • Analysis: Used here for a recreational path. It's not just a trail (小路), but the specific, designated route for hiking.
• Example 4:
  • 公司的发展路线很明确，就是专注于技术创新。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de fāzhǎn lùxiàn hěn míngquè, jiùshì zhuānzhù yú jìshù chuàngxīn.
  • English: The company's development path is very clear: to focus on technological innovation.
  • Analysis: This shows the metaphorical use of 路线 in a business context, meaning strategy or “roadmap.”
• Example 5:
  • 改革开放是中国的一条基本路线。
  • Pinyin: Gǎigé kāifàng shì Zhōngguó de yī tiáo jīběn lùxiàn.
  • English: Reform and Opening-Up is a basic line for China.
  • Analysis: A key political usage. It refers to a foundational national policy that guides the country's direction.
• Example 6:
  • 我们应该坚持正确的路线，不能轻易改变方向。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yīnggāi jiānchí zhèngquè de lùxiàn, bùnéng qīngyì gǎibiàn fāngxiàng.
  • English: We should stick to the correct course of action and not easily change direction.
  • Analysis: This sentence could apply to a project, a company, or politics. It highlights the idea of a 路线 as a stable, guiding path.
• Example 7:
  • 地铁一号路线图在哪里可以找到？
  • Pinyin: Dìtiě yī hào lùxiàn tú zài nǎlǐ kěyǐ zhǎodào?
  • English: Where can I find the map for subway line 1?
  • Analysis: 路线图 (lùxiàn tú) literally means “route map,” a very useful compound word.
• Example 8:
  • 很多年轻人对自己的职业路线感到迷茫。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō niánqīng rén duì zìjǐ de zhíyè lùxiàn gǎndào mímáng.
  • English: Many young people feel lost about their career path.
  • Analysis: A personal and relatable use of the term, applying the concept of a planned path to one's career.
• Example 9:
  • 导航APP为我们推荐了三条不同的路线。
  • Pinyin: Dǎoháng APP wèi wǒmen tuījiàn le sān tiáo bùtóng de lùxiàn.
  • English: The navigation app recommended three different routes for us.
  • Analysis: Shows how 路线 is used in the context of modern technology like GPS and navigation.
• Example 10:
  • 他选择了走技术路线，而不是管理路线。
  • Pinyin: Tā xuǎnzé le zǒu jìshù lùxiàn, ér búshì guǎnlǐ lùxiàn.
  • English: He chose to take the technical track, not the management track.
  • Analysis: Here, “走…路线” (zǒu…lùxiàn) means to “follow a…path/track.” This is a common pattern for describing a choice between different strategies or careers.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 路线 (lùxiàn) with 路 (lù) and 道路 (dàolù).

• 路线 (lùxiàn): A specific, planned route or line. It implies a course from A to B. It's about the *itinerary* or the *line itself*.
  • Correct: 10路公交车的路线很长。(The route of the #10 bus is very long.)
  • Incorrect: 我家门前有一条路线。(There is a route in front of my house.) → This is wrong because a street is just a physical road, not a designated travel route.
• 路 (lù): The most general word for “road,” “street,” or “path.” It can be concrete or abstract.
  • Correct: 我家门前有一条路。(There is a road in front of my house.)
  • Correct: 人生的路不好走。(The road of life is not easy to walk.)
• 道路 (dàolù): A more formal word, often referring to a larger, constructed road for vehicles. It's also used in formal, metaphorical contexts for a country's or society's “path.”
  • Correct: 这条道路正在施工。(This road is under construction.)
  • Correct: 我们要走和平发展的道路。(We must follow the path of peaceful development.)

In short: Use 路 (lù) for a general street. Use 道路 (dàolù) for a formal road or a nation's path. Use 路线 (lùxiàn) when talking about a specific itinerary, bus/subway line, or a strategic course of action.

• 道路 (dàolù) - A road, path; more physical and formal than 路线. Often used for a nation's “path” (e.g., development path).
• 路 (lù) - The most basic and common word for “road” or “way.” 路线 is a type of 路.
• 行程 (xíngchéng) - Itinerary, journey. This focuses more on the schedule and travel itself, while 路线 focuses on the path taken.
• 方针 (fāngzhēn) - Guiding principle, policy. This is the “what” (the principle), while 路线 is often the “how” (the strategic path to implement it).
• 政策 (zhèngcè) - Policy. The specific regulations and actions that are part of a broader 方针 or 路线.
• 轨道 (guǐdào) - Track, orbit (like for a train or planet). It implies a very fixed, almost unchangeable path. To “get back on track” is “回到正轨”.
• 方向 (fāngxiàng) - Direction. This tells you where you are going (e.g., north, south), while 路线 describes the specific path you will take to get there.
• 计划 (jìhuà) - Plan. A travel plan (旅游计划) would include the chosen 路线 (itinerary).