走弯路 zǒuwānlù to take an indirect route
to take an indirect route; to waste one's time by using an inappropriate method
How to remember 走弯路: 走 to walk + 弯 bend + 路 road = to take an indirect route.
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How it is used
- To take a detour / do things the hard way - 少走弯路 (shǎo zǒu wānlù) to avoid unnecessary detours.
- Figurative: wasting effort via a roundabout or wrong method before finding the right path.
- Very common advice framing: learn from others so you 少走弯路 (take fewer wrong turns).