VOA慢速英语2020--Path and Way

Today we answer a question from Taro¹. Taro writes:

Question:

How are "way" and "path" different? Could you explain these more to me? – Taro.

Answer:

Dear Taro,

Thank you for writing to us. Both words have more than one meaning. After we consider the meaning of each one, we will look at what the two words have in common. I hope it helps!

Way

The word "way" can mean how someone behaves, appears or feels. Here is an example of how to use it in a sentence:

She just wants to do it her way, and not her mother's way.

"Way" can also mean a method or system for doing something. For example:

The easiest way to do this is to leave plenty of time for everything.

Path

A "path" can be a narrow clearing or markings left in the ground from the movement of people or animals. Some paths are created for people to walk or ride on, such as a bike path. Here is an example:

The bike path led to the beach.

A "path" can also mean a series² of actions leading to a result or even a way of living.

She did not enjoy medicine. So, she chose a different career path.

Similarities³ between ‘way' and ‘path'

Now, let me tell you how the words "way" and "path" are similar.

Both words can describe the area in front of someone or something that is moving. Here are two examples:

A tree had fallen and was blocking our way.

The fire destroyed everything in its path.

"Path" and "way" are also similar when they are describing a road or something that people use to move from one place to another. However, there are some differences between the two words.

One difference is that "way" can describe more than one connected road or path. But we use "path" to describe just one singular⁴ road or route⁵. An example of this is:

Can you tell me the way to the beach?

Using "way" here could show that the route has more than one path, but combined they are one "way." So, if you ask:

Which path do I take to get to the old forest?

You probably mean there is one path to get there.

I hope that helps to answer your question, Taro.

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Words in This Story

beach - n. an area covered with sand or small rocks that is next to an ocean or lake

bike - n. bicycle; a two-wheeled vehicle⁶ that a person rides by pushing on foot pedals⁷

route – n. a way to get from one place to another place

1 taro   

n.芋，芋头

参考例句：

• Main grain crop has taro,corn,banana to wait.主要粮食作物有芋头、玉米、芭蕉等。
• You celebrate your birthday with taro,red bean and butter.用红豆、芋头和黄油给自己过生日。

2 series   

n.连续；系列

参考例句：

• The students have put forward a series of questions.学生们提出了一系列问题。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

3 similarities   

[ similarity ]的复数形式； 类似( similarity的名词复数 )； 相像性； 相仿性； 类似性

参考例句：

• similarities between human and non-human animals 人和其他动物之间的相似之处
• The panel shows marked similarities with mosaics found elsewhere. 这块嵌板和在其他地方找到的镶嵌图案有明显的相似之处。

4 singular   

adj.个人的，单数的，独一的，唯一的，非凡的；n.单数

参考例句：

• The young man has a singular ear for music.这个年轻人对音乐有非凡的欣赏力。
• The noun is in the singular.这个名词是单数形式。

5 route   

n.路径，途径，路线；vt.确定路线，按规定路线发送

参考例句：

• On the way home, we took an indirect route.回家的路上，我们绕了一个大圈。
• The plane did not fly the usual commercial route.飞机没有沿通常的商业航线飞。

6 vehicle   

n.车辆，交通工具，运载工具；媒介，表现手段

参考例句：

• Air is the vehicle of sound.空气是声音传播的媒介。
• The power plant burns used vehicle tyres as fuel.这家电厂用废弃轮胎作燃料。

7 pedals   

n.（自行车或其他机器的）踏板( pedal的名词复数 )；脚蹬子；（钢琴、风琴等的）踏板；踏瓣

参考例句：

• I couldn't reach the pedals on her bike. 我骑她的车够不到脚蹬子。
• The pedals of a cycle are attached to a crank. 自行车的踏板与曲柄相连。 来自辞典例句