铺路 pūlù to pave (with paving stones)
to pave (with paving stones); to lay a road; (figuratively) to lay the groundwork (for something); to give a present to somebody to ensure success
How to remember 铺路: 铺 shop + 路 road = to pave (with paving stones).
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How it is used
- Literally 'to pave a road', mostly figurative 'to pave the way, lay the groundwork' - 为将来铺路 (wèi jiānglái pūlù) lay the groundwork for the future.
- Read pū (铺 = to spread/lay). Very common metaphor for preparing conditions for later success.
- Note the noun 铺 (pù) means 'shop'; here the verb reading pū applies.