Definition
里弄 refers to the narrow residential alleys and lanes that make up traditional Shanghai-style neighborhoods, especially the iconic shikumen (stone-gate) housing blocks. While functionally similar to northern China's 胡同 (hútòng), 里弄 has a distinct architectural and cultural identity tied to early 20th-century Shanghai. You can use it to talk about a specific lane or the whole district sense of 'the neighborhood.'
n.
lanealleyneighborhood (in traditional Shanghai-style residential areas)
Examples
- 里弄，。Zhè tiáo lǐ lòng hěn ānjìng, shìhé sànbù.This lane is very quiet and suitable for a stroll.
- 里弄，。Tā cóngxiǎo jiù zhù zài lǐ lòng lǐ, duì zhèlǐ hěn shúxī.He has lived in this alley since he was a child, so he knows it very well.
- 里弄。Zhè tiáo lǐ lòng de jìntóu yǒu yì jiā lǎo cháguǎn.At the end of this lane there is an old teahouse.
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