Language/Mandarin-chinese/Vocabulary/Asking-for-Directions

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Mandarin Chinese Vocabulary → Daily Life and Survival Expressions → Asking for Directions

Asking for directions is essential when traveling to a foreign country, especially in China where language and cultural barriers can be significant. In this lesson, you will learn common expressions for asking and giving directions in Mandarin Chinese. By the end of this lesson, you will have the vocabulary and confidence to navigate your way around China.

Don't miss the chance to check out these pages as you wrap up this lesson: 偷 tōu steal; stealthily, secretly & Useful phrases.

Basic Vocabulary

Here are some useful phrases you should know when asking for directions in Mandarin Chinese:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
请问	Qǐngwèn	Excuse me
地图	Dìtú	Map
在哪里	Zài nǎlǐ?	Where?
怎么走	Zěnme zǒu?	How to get there?
左转	Zuǒ zhuǎn	Turn left
右转	Yòu zhuǎn	Turn right
直走	Zhí zǒu	Go straight
一直往前走	Yīzhí wǎng qián zǒu	Keep going straight
出口	Chūkǒu	Exit
公交车站	Gōngjiāochē zhàn	Bus stop
地铁站	Dìtiězhàn	Subway station

It's important to note that when giving directions in Mandarin Chinese, it's common to use cardinal directions instead of left and right. For example, instead of saying "turn left," one might say "turn north" (向北拐 - xiàng běi guǎi) or "turn south" (向南拐 - xiàng nán guǎi). This is why it's important to know some basic Chinese geographic vocabulary, such as the cardinal directions and the names of common landmarks.

Basic Expressions

When asking for directions, it's polite to start by saying "请问" (Qǐngwèn), which means "Excuse me." Then, you can follow up with the place you are looking for or the question you want to ask. Here are some examples:

• 请问，去菜市场怎么走？(Qǐngwèn, qù cài shìchǎng zěnme zǒu?) - Excuse me, how do I get to the market?
• 请问，这附近有银行吗？(Qǐngwèn, zhè fùjìn yǒu yínháng ma?) - Excuse me, is there a bank nearby?
• 请问，地铁站在哪里？(Qǐngwèn, dìtiězhàn zài nǎlǐ?) - Excuse me, where is the subway station?

When giving directions, it's common to use cardinal directions, as mentioned earlier. Here are some examples:

• 往东走 (Wǎng dōng zǒu) - Go east
• 往西拐 (Wǎng xī guǎi) - Turn west
• 一直往南走 (Yīzhí wǎng nán zǒu) - Keep going south

It's also important to know some basic Chinese landmarks, such as "公园" (gōngyuán - park), "医院" (yīyuàn - hospital), and "酒店" (jiǔdiàn - hotel).

Tips

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when asking for directions in China:

• Always bring a map: While most Chinese people are helpful and friendly, some might not speak English or may not know the location you're looking for. Having a map in hand can help bridge the communication gap.
• Practice your tones: Unlike English, Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, meaning that the pitch and tone of a word can change its meaning. Practicing your tones can make it easier for locals to understand you.
• Use body language: If all else fails, you can try using body language to communicate. Pointing, gesturing, and miming can all be effective ways of getting your message across.

Summary

In this lesson, you learned some common expressions for asking and giving directions in Mandarin Chinese. Remember to use cardinal directions and practice your tones to communicate more effectively. By using the vocabulary and tips from this lesson, you'll be better equipped to navigate China with confidence.

Sources

• Chinese grammar
• Chinese vocabulary

Table of Contents - Mandarin Chinese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Pinyin and Tones

• Pinyin Introduction
• Tones Introduction
• Tone Pairs

  ---

Greetings and Basic Expressions

• Greeting People
• Basic Expressions
• Numbers and Counters

  ---

Sentence Structure and Word Order

• Subject-Verb-Object Structure
• Question Words and Question Structure
• Adjectives and Adverbs
• Negation and Conjunctions
• Particles and Structure Particles

  ---

Daily Life and Survival Expressions

• Asking for Directions
• Ordering Food and Drinks
• Shopping and Bargaining
• Transport and Travel
• Emergencies and Medical Care

  ---

Chinese Festivals and Traditions

• Spring Festival and Chunyun
• Mid-Autumn Festival and Mooncakes
• Dragon Boat Festival and Zongzi
• Double Ninth Festival and Chongyang Cake

  ---

Verbs and Verb Usage

• Action Verbs and Stative Verbs
• Modal Verbs and Auxiliary Verbs
• Complex Verb Phrases

  ---

Hobbies, Sports and Activities

• Leisure Activities and Hobbies
• Sports and Exercise
• Outdoor Activities and Nature
• Music and Film

  ---

China's Geography and Landmarks

• China's Four Great Ancient Capitals
• Famous Chinese Mountains and Rivers
• China's Great Wall

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Common and Proper Nouns
• Personal Pronouns and Possessive Pronouns
• Demonstrative Pronouns and Interrogative Pronouns

  ---

Professions and Personality Traits

• Professions and Jobs
• Personality Traits and Characteristics
• Emotions and Feelings

  ---

Chinese Traditional Arts and Crafts

• Chinese Calligraphy and Painting
• Chinese Opera and Drama
• Chinese Knots and Paper-cutting

  ---

Comparative and Superlative

• Comparative Form and Usage
• Superlative Form and Usage

  ---

Cities, Countries and Tourist Destinations

• Chinese and International Cities
• Country Names and Nationalities
• Tourist Attractions and Transportation

  ---

Modern China and Current Events

• China's Economy and Business Landscape
• Chinese Art and Entertainment Scene
• Current Events and Issues in China and Beyond

Other Lessons

• 提 tí mention
• 把 bă take, hold
• 结(結) jié tie; knot
• 孩 hái child
• 画(畫) huà paint; painting
• 趣 qù interest; interesting
• At Home
• 立 lì stand; establish
• 一起 yìqǐ
• 整 zhĕng exact (of clock times)

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