# 四通八达

sì tōng bā dá

Have routes or connections in every direction

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Reach four ways and extend eight ways

**Traditional Chinese:** 四通八達

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe a well-connected network of roads or paths.

The numbers express breadth rather than an exact count of routes.

## The image & its use

A place feels easy to reach when roads and paths connect it with many other locations. This expression describes that extensive network. It can fit a transport hub, a system of trails, or another arrangement with many usable connections. The numbers are conventional images of directions rather than a map legend. An actual route description still needs clear destinations and distances. When praising connectivity, explain which places can be reached conveniently and whether the routes suit the people using them.

## Examples

这里的道路四通八达，出行很方便。

### Traditional Chinese

這裡的道路四通八達，出行很方便。

zhè lǐ de dào lù sì tōng bā dá ， chū xíng hěn fāng biàn 。

The roads connect in every direction, making travel convenient.

公园的小径四通八达，可以选择不同路线。

### Traditional Chinese

公園的小徑四通八達，可以選擇不同路線。

gōng yuán de xiǎo jìng sì tōng bā dá ， kě yǐ xuǎn zé bù tóng lù xiàn 。

The park paths form an extensive network with different routes to choose.

这个车站交通四通八达。

### Traditional Chinese

這個車站交通四通八達。

zhè ge chē zhàn jiāo tōng sì tōng bā dá 。

The station has transport connections in many directions.

四通八达的步道把几个社区连接起来。

### Traditional Chinese

四通八達的步道把幾個社區連接起來。

sì tōng bā dá de bù dào bǎ jǐ gè shè qū lián jiē qǐ lái 。

The extensive walking paths connect several neighborhoods.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1342&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%9B%9B%E9%80%9A%E5%85%AB%E9%81%94)

## Keep exploring

- [随声附和 suí shēng fù hè Echo others without independent judgment ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/sui-sheng-fu-he)

- [随遇而安 suí yù ér ān Adapt contentedly to the circumstances ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/sui-yu-er-an)

- [提纲挈领 tí gāng qiè lǐng Present the essentials clearly ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ti-gang-qie-ling)

- [天经地义 tiān jīng dì yì Be regarded as right and proper ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/tian-jing-di-yi)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 司空见惯 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/si-kong-jian-guan) [Next idiom 肆无忌惮 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/si-wu-ji-dan)