走(zǒu)=to walk, 路(lù)=road; What do you think 走路(zǒulù) mean?

走(zǒu)=to walk, 路(lù)=road; What do you think 走路(zǒulù) mean?

A number of verbs in Chinese require an inherent (or dummy) object when no specific object is indicated. So, if we are to walk, we need to walk on something. 走路 (zǒulù) = to walk In this case, 路 (lù) is a dummy object for the verb 走 (zǒu). Similary, 吃 (chī) requires an object so if we want to say we eat something without specifying what, we can use 饭 (fàn) as the dummy object, hence 吃饭 (chīfàn) = to eat.

Hi Robert, Thank you for your reply. Your explanation about a dummy object is excellent.