一路平安

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: yí lù píng ān
• English Translation: Safe journey, have a safe trip, travel safely
• Idiom Composition: 「一」（One, whole）＋「路」（Road, journey）＋「平」（Peaceful, smooth）＋「安」（Safe, sound）
• Meaning: A phrase wishing for safe travel. It is a greeting expression hoping that the journey will be safe and sound from beginning to end. By extension, it is also used to wish for smooth progress in life or other endeavors.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「一路平安」 contains the following nuances:

• Prayer for safety: Expresses sincere wishes for the safety and well-being of a journey.
• Peaceful journey: Prays that one will not encounter accidents, troubles, or disasters during the journey.
• Farewell greeting: Used as a farewell greeting for someone embarking on a journey.
• Smooth progress: By extension, it is also used to wish for smooth progress in life or other endeavors.

3. Usage

「一路平安」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Seeing off travelers or business travelers: Used as a farewell greeting for friends, family, colleagues, and others who are going on trips or business travels.
  • Example:「明天你要去北京出差了，祝你一路平安，早日归来。」
    （You're going to Beijing on business tomorrow, have a safe trip and come back soon.）
• Closing words in letters or emails: Added at the end of letters or emails to people going on trips or business travels as words wishing for their safety.
  • Example:「期待你的来信，祝你一路平安。」
    （I look forward to your letter. Safe travels.）
• Blessing for life's journey or progress of things: Metaphorically, it is also used as words to wish for smooth progress in life or projects.
  • Example:「希望你在新的一年里事业一路平安，步步高升。」
    （I hope your work will proceed smoothly in the new year and that you will get promoted.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他要去国外留学了，我们祝他一路平安。
   （He is going to study abroad, so we prayed for his safe journey.）
2. 司机师傅，祝您一路平安！
   （Driver, have a safe trip!）
3. 听说你要去自驾游，祝你一路平安，玩得开心！
   （I heard you're going on a road trip, have a safe journey and enjoy yourself!）
4. 爷爷奶奶要去旅行了，我们全家祝他们一路平安。
   （Our grandparents are going on a trip, so our whole family prayed for their safe journey.）
5. 朋友们，祝你们一路平安，我们在目的地见！
   （Everyone, have a safe trip, let's meet at the destination!）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• In China, travel has long been considered an important part of life. Especially in ancient times, when transportation was limited and travel often involved dangers, praying for the safety of departing travelers was an important custom. '一路平安' originated from this cultural background.
• Even today, '一路平安' is widely used as a standard greeting for travelers. It is also used metaphorically as words to wish for the smooth progress of life or other endeavors.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 一帆风顺 (yì fān fēng shùn): Things proceeding smoothly. From the image of a sailing ship running fast with a tailwind.
  • 平安无事 (píng ān wú shì): Being safe and sound without any incidents.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 一波三折 (yì bō sān zhé): Things not proceeding smoothly, with twists and turns.
  • 险象环生 (xiǎn xiàng huán shēng): Dangerous situations occurring one after another.

6. Summary

'一路平安' is a warm expression that sincerely wishes for the safety of travelers. This idiom, nurtured in China's long history and culture, is still widely used today to convey care and blessings. It is a versatile phrase used not only to pray for travel safety but also to wish for smooth progress in life or other endeavors.