绕道

繞道

ràodào

verb #8,421

Meanings

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

Qiánmiàn xiūlù, wǒmen děi ràodào zǒu.

There's road construction ahead — we need to take a detour.

Tā ràodào qù jiē le péngyou.

He took a detour to pick up his friend.

Bùyòng ràodào, zhí zǒu jiù dào le.

No need to go around — just go straight and you'll be there.

usage

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

绕 rào

道 dào