走廊 (zǒu láng) literally combines 走 (zǒu, 'to walk') and 廊 (láng, 'covered walkway' or 'veranda'), evoking the idea of a passageway meant for walking. It refers to an enclosed, linear space connecting rooms or sections of a building — commonly found in homes, schools, hospitals, and offices. Unlike outdoor structures like 檐廊 (yán láng, 'eaves corridor'), 走廊 is almost always indoors and functions as functional circulation space, not a living or decorative area.

This word is neutral in register and widely used in both spoken and written Mandarin. It appears frequently in architectural descriptions, directions ('Turn left at the end of the corridor'), and everyday contexts like school announcements or apartment listings. While historically 廊 could denote open-air pavilions, modern usage of 走廊 strongly implies an interior, roofed, and often narrow passage with doors on one or both sides.