Meaning and Usage
The word '巷' (xiàng) refers to a narrow lane or alley, typically found in urban or residential areas. It often implies a smaller, less busy street than a main road, sometimes lined with houses or small shops.
Common Contexts
'巷' is frequently used to describe quiet or intimate parts of a city, such as residential lanes or alleys with local vendors. It can convey a sense of coziness or local life.
Collocations and Patterns
- 巷子里 (in the lane): used to specify location inside a lane.
- 巷尾 (end of the lane): indicates the far end of a lane.
- 安静的巷子 (quiet lane): describes the atmosphere.
Usage Notes
'巷' is more formal or literary compared to '胡同' or '小巷', which also mean alley or lane but are more colloquial. When using '巷', it often appears in written descriptions or formal speech. Avoid confusing it with '街' (street), which is usually wider and busier.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse '巷' with '巷子'—the latter adds the suffix '子' and is more colloquial, but both mean lane or alley. '巷' alone is often used in written language or compound words.