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!
Resources for further reading:
Pronouncing directions in Chinese
Practice Your Pronunciation With Rocket Record
Rocket Record lets you perfect your Chinese pronunciation. Just listen to the native speaker audio and then use the microphone icon to record yourself. Once you’re done, you’ll get a score out of 100 on your pronunciation and can listen to your own audio playback. (Use a headset mic for best results.) Problems? Click here!
请 问，怎样才能找到火车站？
Qǐngwèn, zěnyàng cáinéng zhǎodào huǒchēzhàn?
Where can I find the train station, please?
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去火车站怎么走？
Qù huǒchēzhàn zěnme zǒu?
How do I get to the train station?
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你知道火车站在哪儿吗？
Nǐ zhīdào huǒchēzhàn zàinǎr ma?
Do you know where the train station is? (formal)
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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)
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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)
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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
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马路
mǎlù
The street
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购物中心
gòuwù zhōngxīn
The shopping center
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历史博物馆
lìshǐ bówùguǎn
The historic museum
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警察局
jǐngchájú
The police station
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医院
yīyuàn
The hospital
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公园
gōngyuán
The park
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市政府
shìzhèngfǔ
The town/city/municipal hall
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公共厕所
gōnggòng cèsuǒ
The public restrooms
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市中心
shì zhōngxīn
The town/city center
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市区
shìqū
The downtown area
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啤酒园
píjiǔyuán
The beer garden
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纪念碑
jìniànbēi
The monument
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酒吧
jiǔbā
The bar
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Here are some words and phrases you might hear when asking for directions…
左边
zuǒbiān
Left
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右边
yòubiān
Right
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往左
wǎngzuǒ
To the left
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往右
wǎngyòu
To the right
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一直
yìzhí
Straight
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在......尾
zài......wěi
At the end of
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在......头
zài......tóu
At the beginning of
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往西
wǎngxī
To the west
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往北
wǎngběi
To the north
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往南
wǎngnán
To the south
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往东
wǎngdōng
To the east
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在拐角处
zài guǎijiǎo chù
Around the corner
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左边第一条街
zuǒbiān dìyītiáo jiē
The first street on your left.
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右边第一条街
yòubiān dìyītiáo jiē
The first street on your right.
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第二条街
dì'èrtiáo jiē
The street after the next.
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拐角
guǎijiǎo
The corner
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桥
qiáo
The bridge
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在…… 前边
zài qiánbiān
In front of
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在……隔壁
zài gébì
Next to
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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…
走
zǒu
Take…
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穿过
chuānguò
Cross
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沿着......走
yánzhe……zǒu
Go along......
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往......走
wǎng......zǒu
Go towards......
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Now, you might want to know whether it is far or not…
远吗？
Yuǎn ma?
Is it far?
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远。
Yuǎn。
It's far.
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不远。
Bùyuǎn。
It's not far.
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近吗？
Jìn ma?
Is it close by?
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近。
Jìn。
It's close by.
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不近。
Bújìn。
It's not close by.
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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?
下次见！ Xiàcì jiàn!
Lin Ping: Rocket Chinese
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