绕道

繞道
ràodào
verb #8,421

Meanings

  1. 1 to make a detour; to go the long way around
  2. 2 to bypass

Characters

Literally 'circle the road' - to take an alternate path around an obstacle.

Examples

HSK 3
Tā ràodào qù jiē le péngyou.
He took a detour to pick up his friend.
HSK 4
Qiánmiàn xiūlù, wǒmen děi ràodào zǒu.
There's road construction ahead - we need to take a detour.
HSK 5
Búyòng ràodào, zhí zǒu jiù dào le.
No need to go around - just go straight and you'll be there.

Tips

usage
绕道 is commonly used for physical detours. For figurative 'roundabout' ways, you'd say 绕弯子 (beat around the bush).

Stroke Order

rào
dào