Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== yī lù píng'ān: 一路平安 - Have a Safe Trip / Bon Voyage ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 一路平安, yi lu ping an, have a safe trip in Chinese, bon voyage in Chinese, Chinese travel blessing, how to say goodbye in Chinese for travel, travel safety, píng'ān, safe journey in Chinese. * **Summary:** 一路平安 (yī lù píng'ān) is the most common and sincere way to say "have a safe trip" in Chinese. More than just a simple "bon voyage," this phrase is a heartfelt blessing for a traveler's entire journey, wishing them safety, peace, and a smooth path from start to finish. Understanding this essential Chinese travel blessing is key to showing genuine care when saying goodbye to friends, family, or colleagues embarking on a trip. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** yī lù píng'ān * **Part of Speech:** Phrase / Idiom (Chengyu) * **HSK Level:** N/A (but essential for daily conversation) * **Concise Definition:** May your entire journey be safe and peaceful. * **In a Nutshell:** "一路平安" is the go-to phrase you say to someone who is about to travel. It's a warm, standard farewell that conveys a sincere wish for their well-being. It's not just about avoiding accidents; it's about hoping their entire travel experience is free of trouble, delays, or stress. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **一 (yī):** The number "one," but here it means "the entire" or "the whole." * **路 (lù):** "Road," "path," or "journey." * **平 (píng):** "Flat," "level," or "smooth." In a broader sense, it means "peaceful." * **安 (ān):** "Safe" or "secure." When combined, 一路平安 (yī lù píng'ān) literally translates to "whole road, peaceful and safe." The characters create a vivid image of a smooth, unobstructed, and secure path for the traveler's entire journey. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * **A Blessing, Not Just a Phrase:** In Chinese culture, wishing someone safety (平安, píng'ān) is a profound expression of care. Historically, travel was fraught with danger, so wishing someone "一路平安" was a very serious and meaningful blessing. While modern travel is much safer, the deep sense of care and concern embedded in the phrase remains. * **Comparison to "Have a safe trip":** The English phrase "Have a safe trip" is very similar in meaning, but can sometimes feel a bit perfunctory or automatic. "一路平安" almost always feels more deliberate and heartfelt. It’s less of a casual remark and more of a genuine blessing bestowed upon the traveler, reflecting the cultural emphasis on community well-being and interpersonal care. It's the cultural default and carries a weight of sincerity. * **Related Values:** The use of this phrase is tied to the value of showing concern for others, especially those within your social circle (family, friends, colleagues). It reinforces social bonds by verbalizing a wish for the other person's fundamental well-being. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== "一路平安" is extremely common and used in a variety of situations. * **Saying Goodbye:** It is most often used as a standalone phrase right before someone departs on a trip. This could be at an airport, a train station, or even just as they get in a car for a long drive. * **Context:** It's appropriate for any kind of significant travel: vacations, business trips, studying abroad, or even just returning to one's hometown for a holiday. * **Formality:** The phrase is neutral. It's polite enough for a boss but warm enough for a close friend or family member. * **In Texting and Social Media:** It's very common to see "一路平安" in text messages or on social media posts when a friend announces they are traveling. It's often accompanied by emojis like 🙏,✈️, or 😊. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 好了，时间不早了，我们该走了。祝你**一路平安**！ * Pinyin: Hǎo le, shíjiān bù zǎo le, wǒmen gāi zǒu le. Zhù nǐ **yī lù píng'ān**! * English: Okay, it's getting late, we should go. I wish you a safe trip! * Analysis: A very standard and slightly formal way to say goodbye, often used among colleagues or acquaintances. The "祝你" (zhù nǐ - wish you) makes it a clear blessing. * **Example 2:** * 到了给我发个微信。**一路平安**啊！ * Pinyin: Dào le gěi wǒ fā gè Wēixìn. **Yī lù píng'ān** a! * English: Send me a WeChat message when you arrive. Have a safe trip! * Analysis: This is a very common and warm exchange between friends or family. The "啊" (a) particle at the end softens the tone, making it more affectionate. * **Example 3:** * A: 我明天要去北京出差。 (Wǒ míngtiān yào qù Běijīng chūchāi.) - I'm going to Beijing on a business trip tomorrow. * B: 好的，**一路平安**。 (Hǎo de, **yī lù píng'ān**.) - Okay, have a safe journey. * Analysis: A simple, polite, and standard conversational exchange. This is the most common way you'll hear it used. * **Example 4:** * 妈妈对要去留学的儿子说：“自己在外多保重，**一路平安**。” * Pinyin: Māmā duì yào qù liúxué de érzi shuō: “Zìjǐ zài wài duō bǎozhòng, **yī lù píng'ān**.” * English: The mother said to her son who was going to study abroad: "Take good care of yourself out there, and have a safe journey." * Analysis: Here, it's combined with "保重" (bǎozhòng - take care), adding extra emotional weight. This is typical for close family relationships. * **Example 5:** * 这次自驾游，希望大家都能**一路平安**，玩得开心！ * Pinyin: Zhè cì zìjiàyóu, xīwàng dàjiā dōu néng **yī lù píng'ān**, wán de kāixīn! * English: For this road trip, I hope everyone has a safe journey and a good time! * Analysis: Used here to wish safety for a group of people. It's often paired with wishing them fun, like "玩得开心" (wán de kāixīn). * **Example 6:** * 感谢您来访，希望您**一路平安**。 * Pinyin: Gǎnxiè nín láifǎng, xīwàng nín **yī lù píng'ān**. * English: Thank you for your visit, I hope you have a safe trip back. * Analysis: A formal and very polite way to see off a guest, perhaps in a business or official context. Using "您" (nín) indicates respect. * **Example 7:** * 路上小心开车，**一路平安**！ * Pinyin: Lùshang xiǎoxīn kāichē, **yī lù píng'ān**! * English: Be careful driving on the road, have a safe trip! * Analysis: This is specifically for someone who is driving. It combines a practical instruction ("drive carefully") with the overall blessing. * **Example 8:** * 祝你们的蜜月之旅**一路平安**，幸福美满。 * Pinyin: Zhù nǐmen de mìyuè zhī lǚ **yī lù píng'ān**, xìngfú měimǎn. * English: Wishing you a safe journey and a happy and blissful honeymoon trip. * Analysis: Demonstrates how it can be incorporated into a larger, more specific blessing, in this case for a honeymoon. * **Example 9:** * 飞机马上要起飞了，不说了，**一路平安**！ * Pinyin: Fēijī mǎshàng yào qǐfēi le, bù shuō le, **yī lù píng'ān**! * English: The plane is about to take off, I have to go now, have a safe trip! * Analysis: A common phrase used in a text or quick call right before departure, showing its use in a hurried context. * **Example 10:** * 回家的路很长，**一路平安**，过年见！ * Pinyin: Huí jiā de lù hěn cháng, **yī lù píng'ān**, guònián jiàn! * English: The road home is long, have a safe trip, see you at Chinese New Year! * Analysis: Very typical during the Spring Festival travel rush, acknowledging the long journey and linking the blessing to the upcoming holiday. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Don't use for short commutes:** The most common mistake learners make is using "一路平安" for everyday, short-distance travel. You would **not** say this to a coworker going home for the day or a friend going to the supermarket. It is reserved for a *trip* or a *journey* of significant distance or duration. * **Incorrect:** (To a friend leaving your house to go to their own house in the same city) 再见！一路平安！ (Zàijiàn! Yī lù píng'ān!) * **Why it's wrong:** It sounds overly dramatic, as if their 20-minute drive home is a perilous journey. A simple "路上小心" (lùshang xiǎoxīn - be careful on the road) or just "再见" (zàijiàn - goodbye) is more appropriate. * **It's a farewell, not a greeting:** You only say "一路平安" to someone who is *leaving*. You would never say it to someone who has just *arrived*. * **False Friend: "Take Care"**: While related, "一路平安" is not a direct equivalent of the general English farewell "Take care." The Chinese phrase [[保重]] (bǎozhòng) is a closer match for "Take care," as it wishes for general health and well-being. "一路平安" is exclusively for travel. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[一路顺风]] (yī lù shùn fēng) - "Smooth wind along the whole road." A very close synonym that emphasizes a smooth, easy, and obstacle-free journey. It's often used interchangeably or even together with "一路平安". * [[旅途愉快]] (lǚtú yúkuài) - "Have a pleasant journey." This focuses more on the *enjoyment* and *fun* of the trip, while 一路平安 focuses on the *safety*. * [[保重]] (bǎozhòng) - "Take care (of yourself)." A general farewell wish for someone's health and well-being. It can be used whether they are traveling or not. * [[平安]] (píng'ān) - The core concept of "safe and sound" or "peace." It's a fundamental blessing in Chinese culture and appears in many other contexts, such as 岁岁平安 (suì suì píng'ān - peace year after year). * [[出入平安]] (chū rù píng'ān) - "Safe when you go out and come in." A general blessing for everyday safety, often seen on decorations hung on doors. It's for daily life, not a specific long journey. * [[马到成功]] (mǎ dào chéng gōng) - "Success upon arrival." A blessing for someone embarking on a mission, like a business trip or a competition, wishing them success in their endeavor.