Meaning
隧道 refers to an underground or through-mountain passage constructed for transportation, such as road tunnels, railway tunnels, or subway tunnels. It is commonly used in both literal contexts (actual physical tunnels) and occasionally in figurative speech to describe a path through difficulty.
Usage
This word is used in everyday conversation when discussing transportation infrastructure, travel routes, or construction projects. It appears frequently in news reports, traffic announcements, and urban planning discussions. Native speakers commonly pair it with verbs like 穿过 (to pass through) or 修建 (to construct).
Examples
- 01这条隧道连接两座城市，全长十公里。, .This tunnel connects two cities and is ten kilometers long.
- 02火车穿过隧道时，车厢里突然变暗了。, .When the train passed through the tunnel, the carriage suddenly became dark.
Characters
Measure words
- 条一条隧道
- 座一座隧道
Common collocations
- 穿过隧道to pass through a tunnel
- 隧道口tunnel entrance/exit
- 海底隧道undersea tunnel
- 修建隧道to construct a tunnel
Origin
隧 originally referred to a passage or pathway, particularly one dug through earth. Combined with 道 (road/path), the compound emphasizes a constructed passageway, typically underground or through mountains.