Asking Directions

When you have a trip or tour a new place, you may come across an unknown or unclear address and you will have to ask the way. When someone is giving you directions in Chinese, watch out the Chinese word “wang” (to). The next word following “wang” usually indicates the important direction information in Chinese.

English	Chinese	Pinyin	Play
Excuse me, how to get to Xidan?	请问，西单怎么走？	Qǐng wèn, xī dān zěn me zǒu?
Turn right.	往右走。	Wǎng yòu zǒu.
Turn left.	往左走。	Wǎng zuǒ zǒu.
Go ahead.	往前走。	Wǎng qián zǒu.
Go back.	往回走。	Wǎng huí zǒu.
Excuse me, is Xidan far from here?	请问，西单远不远？	Qǐng wèn, xī dān yuǎn bù yuǎn?
Not too far, you just need to walk for five minutes.	不远了，走五分钟就到了。	Bù yuǎn le, zǒu wǔ fēn zhōng jiù dào le.
Yes, quite far. It’s better to take a bus.	比较远，最好坐车。	Bǐ jiǎo yuǎn, zuì hǎo zuò chē.
Is it easy to take a bus?	坐车方便吗？	Zuò chē fāng biàn ma?
Yes, very convenience. That’s the bus stop right there.	很方便，车站就在那里。	Hěn fāng biàn, chē zhàn jiù zài nà li.
Is it near?	很近吗？	Hěn jìn ma?
Right there at the end of the street.	走到头就是了	Zǒu dào tóu jiù shì le.

Direction Related Information

north 北 bĕi
south 南 nán
east 东 dōng
west 西 xī
street 街 jiē; 路 lù
left 左边 zuǒ biān
right 右边 yòu biān
Turn left. 左边转弯 zuǒ biān zhuǎn wān
Turn right. 右边转弯 yòu biān zhuǎn wān
straight ahead 往前走 wǎng qián zǒu

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