立交桥

lìjiāoqiáo

overpass

HSK 7

Character Breakdown

Understanding 立交桥 (lìjiāoqiáo)

The term 立交桥 refers to an overpass or a grade-separated interchange where roads cross at different levels to improve traffic flow. It is commonly used in urban and highway contexts to describe complex road structures that help reduce congestion.

Usage and Context

立交桥 is often mentioned when discussing traffic infrastructure, urban planning, or navigation. It can refer to large multi-level interchanges or simpler overpasses. The word combines (stand), (intersect), and (bridge), literally meaning a 'bridge that intersects by standing above.'

Common Collocations

  • 立交桥 (under the overpass): often a place for vendors or temporary markets.
  • 建立 (build a new overpass): used in government or construction contexts.
  • 立交桥 (overpass connects): describing how roads or highways are linked.

Tips

When using 立交桥, note it usually refers to large-scale road structures, not small pedestrian bridges. It is a formal term often found in news, traffic reports, and official documents. Avoid confusing it with (ordinary bridge) or (pedestrian overpass).

Example Sentences

这座立交桥连接了两个主要高速公路,极大地缓解了交通压力。

Zhè zuò lìjiāoqiáo liánjiē le liǎng gè zhǔyào gāosù gōnglù, jí dà de

This overpass connects two main highways and greatly eases traffic

立交桥下经常有小贩摆摊卖东西,形成了一个临时市场。

Lìjiāoqiáo xià jīngcháng yǒu xiǎofàn bǎitān mài dōngxī, xíngchéng le yí

Under the overpass, street vendors often set up stalls selling goods,

为了避免交通堵塞,市政府计划新建几个立交桥。

Wèile bìmiǎn jiāotōng dǔsè, shì zhèngfǔ jìhuà xīnjiàn jǐ gè lìjiāoqiáo.

To avoid traffic jams, the city government plans to build several new