Directions in Chinese

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Asking for directions in Chinese will be much easier after this free audio lesson. The
Rocket Chinese team is here to arm you with the Chinese words and phrases you’ll
need to find your way around a Chinese-speaking country.

Unfortunately it’s not quite as simple as learning the word for 'where' in Chinese and a
few Chinese road signs - as you may have already guessed, understanding the
directions you are given can be more challenging than asking the questions! But don’t
worry, a little practice is all you need – listen to the Chinese pronunciation in the audio
and say the Chinese words and phrases aloud, as you imagine yourself strolling around
Shanghai or Beijing!

Pronouncing directions in Chinese

请问，怎样才能找到火车站？

Qǐngwèn, zěnyàng cáinéng zhǎodào huǒchēzhàn?

Where can I find the train station, please?

去火车站怎么走？

Qù huǒchēzhàn zěnme zǒu?

How do I get to the train station?

你知道火车站在哪儿吗？

Nǐ zhīdào huǒchēzhàn zàinǎr ma?

Do you know where the train station is? (formal)

Another more complete way of asking for directions is by saying…

对不起，请问一下火车站在哪儿？

Duìbuqǐ, qǐngwèn yíxià huǒchēzhàn zàinǎr?

Excuse me please! Could you please tell me where the train station is? (formal)

麻烦你能告诉我火车站在哪儿吗？

Máfánnǐ néng gàosù wǒ huǒchēzhàn zàinǎr ma?

Excuse me please! Could you please tell me where the train station is? (casual)

Here’s a list of some places you might like to go to and places you may pass on the way
to getting there.

旅行社

lǚxíngshè

The travel agency

马路

mǎlù
The street

购物中心

gòuwù zhōngxīn

The shopping center

历史博物馆

lìshǐ bówùguǎn

The historic museum

警察局

jǐngchájú

The police station

医院

yīyuàn

The hospital

公园

gōngyuán

The park

市政府

shìzhèngfǔ

The town/city/municipal hall

公共厕所

gōnggòng cèsuǒ

The public restrooms

市中心

shì zhōngxīn

The town/city center

市区

shìqū

The downtown area

啤酒园

píjiǔyuán

The beer garden

纪念碑

jìniànbēi

The monument

酒吧

jiǔbā

The bar
Here are some words and phrases you might hear when asking for directions…

左边

zuǒbiān

Left

右边

yòubiān

Right

往左

wǎngzuǒ

To the left

往右

wǎngyòu

To the right
一直

yìzhí

Straight

在......尾

zài......wěi

At the end of

在......头

zài......tóu

At the beginning of

往西

wǎngxī

To the west

往北

wǎngběi

To the north

往南

wǎngnán

To the south

往东

wǎngdōng

To the east
在拐角处

zài guǎijiǎo chù

Around the corner

左边第一条街

zuǒbiān dìyītiáo jiē

The first street on your left.

右边第一条街

yòubiān dìyītiáo jiē

The first street on your right.

第二条街

dì'èrtiáo jiē

The street after the next.

拐角

guǎijiǎo

The corner

qiáo

The bridge

在……前边

zài qiánbiān

In front of
在……隔壁

zài gébì

Next to

When someone gives you directions, they’ll tell you that you need to take such-and-
such street; turn left, and then follow another street…

zǒu

Take… (Literal: to walk)

穿过

chuānguò

Cross

沿着......走

yánzhe……zǒu

Go along......

往......走

wǎng......zǒu

Go towards......

Now, you might want to know whether it is far or not…

远吗？

Yuǎn ma?

Is it far?

远。
Yuǎn。

It’s far.

不远。

Bùyuǎn。

It’s not far.

近吗？

Jìn ma?

Is it close by?

近。

Jìn。

It’s close by.

不近。

Bújìn。

It’s not close by.

Here are a few recommended Chinese lessons to try next!

 Talking about your emotions in Chinese is a great way to connect with Chinese.
 This lesson is all about describing your face in Chinese.
 Wanting to talk about your family in Chinese?

Xià cì jiàn! (下次见！)