Definition
上路 has two main uses. Literally, it means 'to set out on a journey' — you're on the road (路上). It is a separable verb (离合词): you can insert aspect markers between the syllables (上了路, 上过路) or measure words (上了一次路). Slangwise,上路 means 'to be sensible / to know how to behave properly', often in the pattern 很上路 (very savvy). The slang sense is not separable. The standard pronunciation is shàng lù, though this row lists shǎng — be aware of this discrepancy.
v.o.
to set out on a journeyto start a trip(slang) to be sensibleto know how to behave properlyto be on the right track
Examples
- 上路，。Tāmen yì zǎo shǎng le, zhōngwǔ cái dào.They set out early in the morning and didn't arrive until noon.
- 上路，。Tā zhège rén hěn shǎng, zuòshì bú yòng rén cāoxīn.He's very sensible — you don't need to worry about him getting things done.
- 上路。Wǒmen míngtiān shǎng qù Guǎngzhōu.We'll set out for Guangzhou tomorrow.
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