Directions

1. 请问，去天安门广场怎么走？

   Qǐng wèn, qù Tiān'ānmén Guǎngchǎng zěnme zǒu?

   Excuse me, how do I get to Tiananmen Square?

   Usage

   Basic polite expression for asking directions. Replace the destination as needed.

   Grammar Note

   "怎么走" is the standard way to ask for directions. Prefixing with "请问" adds politeness.

2. 一直走，然后左转

   Yīzhí zǒu, rán hòu zuǒ zhuǎn

   Go straight ahead, then turn left

   Usage

   Used when giving or confirming directions

   Grammar Note

   "右转 (yòu zhuǎn)" = turn right. Knowing "一直走" (go straight) covers the basics of following directions.

3. 地铁站在哪里？

   Dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ?

   Where is the subway station?

   Usage

   Used to find the subway station. Essential for urban travel in China.

   Grammar Note

   "在哪里?" is a versatile question for locations. Replace "地铁站" with "公交站" (bus stop) as needed.

4. 离这里远吗？

   Lí zhèlǐ yuǎn ma?

   Is it far from here?

   Usage

   Used to check how far a destination is from your current location

   Grammar Note

   "离 + place + 远/近" expresses distance. Common answers: "不远" (not far) or "很近" (very close).

5. 请在这里停车

   Qǐng zài zhèlǐ tíngchē

   Please stop here

   Usage

   Used in a taxi or rideshare to ask the driver to stop

   Grammar Note

   In taxis, "就在这里停 (Jiù zài zhèlǐ tíng)" (stop right here) is also commonly used.

6. 这条路通往哪里？

   Zhè tiáo lù tōng wǎng nǎlǐ?

   Where does this road lead?

   Usage

   Used to confirm whether a road leads to your destination

   Grammar Note

   "条" is the measure word for roads. "通往" means "leads to" and indicates direction.

7. 请在地图上指给我看

   Qǐng zài dìtú shàng zhǐ gěi wǒ kàn

   Please point it out on the map

   Usage

   Used when verbal directions are hard to follow; ask someone to show you on a map

   Grammar Note

   "指给我看" is a compound verb meaning "point and show me". Very effective when used with a smartphone map app.

8. 我迷路了

   Wǒ mí lù le

   I am lost

   Usage

   Used to tell someone you are lost and need help

   Grammar Note

   "了" indicates a change of state (became lost). Follow with "我要去这里" (I want to go here) while showing your phone.

9. 前面有路口吗？

   Qiánmiàn yǒu lùkǒu ma?

   Is there an intersection ahead?

   Usage

   Used to confirm landmarks while navigating on foot

   Grammar Note

   Know "前面" (ahead), "左边" (left side), "右边" (right side) to expand your directional vocabulary.

10. 步行需要多长时间？

    Bùxíng xūyào duō cháng shíjiān?

    How long does it take on foot?

    Usage

    Used to ask how long it takes to reach a destination on foot

    Grammar Note

    "需要 + time" expresses how long something takes. Common replies: "大约十分钟" (about 10 minutes).

11. 右边

    Yòubian

    Right

    Usage

    A single word to show "right" in a taxi or when asking directions

12. 左边

    Zuǒbian

    Left

    Usage

    A single word to show "left" in a taxi or when asking directions

13. 一直走

    Yìzhí zǒu

    Go straight

    Usage

    Show it to say "keep going straight"

14. 掉头

    Diàotóu

    Turn around

    Usage

    Shown to a driver to ask them to turn around and go back

15. 停车

    Tíngchē

    Stop the car

    Usage

    Shown to have a moving vehicle pull over; it can also mean "to park", but inside a moving car it reads as "stop"

16. 北

    Běi

    North

    Usage

    Used to match a compass direction on a map or sign

17. 南

    Nán

    South

    Usage

    Used to match a compass direction on a map or sign

18. 东

    Dōng

    East

    Usage

    Used to match a compass direction on a map or sign

19. 西

    Xī

    West

    Usage

    Used to match a compass direction on a map or sign

20. 公交车站

    Gōngjiāo chēzhàn

    Bus stop

    Usage

    Shown when asking where a bus stop is; in Taiwan it is "gōngchēzhàn"

21. 地铁站

    Dìtiězhàn

    Subway station

    Usage

    Shown when asking where the subway station is

22. 大使馆

    Dàshǐguǎn

    Embassy

    Usage

    Shown as a destination, e.g. after losing a passport

23. 自动取款机

    Zìdòng qǔkuǎnjī

    ATM

    Usage

    Shown when asking where an ATM is

24. 货币兑换处

    Huòbì duìhuànchù

    Currency exchange

    Usage

    Shown when asking where money can be exchanged

25. 自助洗衣店

    Zìzhù xǐyīdiàn

    Laundromat

    Usage

    Shown when asking where you can do laundry

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