Questions & Answers about zhè tiáo lù hěn wēixiǎn.
Why is 条 used in 这条路?
条 is a measure word (also called a classifier). In Mandarin, when you use a number or a demonstrative like 这 (this) before many nouns, you usually need a measure word in between.
So:
- 这条路 = this road
- not just 这路 in standard usage
条 is commonly used for things that are long, narrow, or stretched out, such as:
- 一条路 = a road
- 一条河 = a river
- 一条鱼 = a fish
- 一条裤子 = a pair of pants
So in this sentence, 条 is the natural classifier for 路.
Why is the word order 这条路 and not something like 路这条?
Mandarin usually puts the demonstrative first, then the measure word, then the noun:
- 这 + 条 + 路
- this + classifier + road
This is the normal pattern:
- 这本书 = this book
- 那个人 = that person
- 这辆车 = this car
So 这条路 follows a very common and important structure in Chinese.
Why is 很 in the sentence? Does it mean very dangerous?