Definition
绕道 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to take a detour' or 'to go the long way around.' It can be used literally (taking an alternate physical route to avoid an obstacle) or metaphorically (avoiding a difficult topic or situation). When you need to insert a measure word, a durational phrase, or an object, the 绕 separates from 道, as in 绕了一个大圈道 or 绕了不少道. The separation pattern is: 绕 + quantity/description + 道. Note that the destination or purpose typically follows the whole verb with 去 or 到, not between the two syllables.
v.o.
to take a detourto go the long way aroundto bypass (an obstacle or a sensitive issue)
Examples
- ，绕道。Qiánmiàn xiū lù, wǒmen zhǐhǎo cóng yí gè cūnzi rào dào qù gōngsī.The road ahead is under construction, so we have to go to the office by detouring through a village.
- ，。Tā wèile bì kāi nà ge tǎoyàn de línjū, měitiān shàngbān dōu rào yí gè dà quān dào.To avoid that annoying neighbor, he takes a big detour every day on his way to work.
- 绕道，。Zhège mǐngǎn huàtí zuìhǎo rào dào, bié zài huì shàng tí qǐ.It's best to bypass this sensitive topic and not bring it up at the meeting.
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