Definition
走弯路 (zǒu wān lù) is a phrase meaning 'to take a detour' — both literally (a longer route) and figuratively (wasting effort by using the wrong method). Unlike 绕行 (rào xíng), which simply means to bypass an obstacle, 走弯路 emphasizes the extra time or wasted effort. 绕远儿 (rào yuǎn r) focuses on the route being physically longer, while 走弯路 is the common idiomatic choice for life lessons and learning.
phrase
to take a detourto take an indirect route (literal)(figurative) to take a roundabout approachto waste effort by using the wrong method
Examples
- ，走弯路，。Wèile bìmiǎn dǔchē, wǒmen juédìng bù zǒu wān lù, érshì zǒu xiǎolù.To avoid traffic jams, we decided not to take a detour and instead took a small road.
- ，走弯路。Xuéxí rènhé jìnéng dōu xūyào shíjiān, zhíjiē zhǎo jiéjìng fǎn'ér róngyì zǒu wān lù.Learning any skill takes time; trying to find shortcuts may actually lead you to take a roundabout path.
- ，，。Zài chuàngyè de guòchéng zhōng, tā zǒu le bù shǎo wān lù, cái zuìzhōng chénggōng.In the process of starting a business, he took many detours before finally succeeding.
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