verb / noun HSK 5
Traditional 導航
to navigate · navigation · to guide (a ship, aircraft, etc.)
Meaning
导航 literally means 'to guide navigation' and refers to the process of determining and following a route, whether by ship, aircraft, vehicle, or on foot. In modern usage, it commonly refers to GPS navigation systems and apps that provide directions.
Usage
This word is extremely common in the context of GPS and digital maps. Chinese speakers frequently use it as a verb (我来导航 'I'll navigate') or when referring to navigation apps and systems. It's used both for traditional navigation (ships, planes) and modern digital navigation.
Examples
- 01你帮我开一下导航，我不认识路。, .Please turn on the navigation for me; I don't know the way.
- 02现在的手机都有导航功能，很方便。, .Smartphones nowadays all have navigation functions; it's very convenient.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个导航系统
Common collocations
- 导航系统navigation system
- 卫星导航satellite navigation, GPS
- 开导航to turn on navigation
- 语音导航voice navigation
Origin
The term combines 导 (to guide/lead) with 航 (navigation/sailing), originally used for maritime and aviation navigation. With the rise of GPS technology, it expanded to include any form of guided travel.