Chinese Vocabulary for: Asking for directions
Asking for directions in Mandarin is a high-value skill for any intermediate learner. This page gives you the vocabulary and sentences you need to understand and give simple directions: left, right, straight, landmarks, and how far. The phrases are tuned for A2–B2 and HSK 3–6, so you get real-life usage without textbook fluff. Learning these with example sentences and a short review loop will make getting around much easier on your next trip.
When you'd use this
Use this when you're lost, asking how to get to a place, or when someone gives you directions and you need to understand 'turn left,' 'go straight,' or 'it's next to the bank.'
Key vocabulary
- 请问qǐng wèn• excuse me / may I ask
- 怎么走zěn me zǒu• how to get there
- 左边zuǒ bian• left side
- 右边yòu bian• right side
- 直走zhí zǒu• go straight
- 拐弯guǎi wān• to turn
- 红绿灯hóng lǜ dēng• traffic light
- 路口lù kǒu• intersection
- 附近fù jìn• nearby
- 对面duì miàn• opposite
- 旁边páng biān• next to
- 远yuǎn• far
- 近jìn• near
- 地铁站dì tiě zhàn• subway station
Example sentences
请问，地铁站怎么走？
Qǐng wèn, dì tiě zhàn zěn me zǒu?
Excuse me, how do I get to the subway station?
直走，然后左拐。
Zhí zǒu, rán hòu zuǒ guǎi.
Go straight, then turn left.
在红绿灯那边。
Zài hóng lǜ dēng nà biān.
It's over by the traffic light.
离这里远吗？
Lí zhè lǐ yuǎn ma?
Is it far from here?
就在银行旁边。
Jiù zài yín háng páng biān.
It's right next to the bank.
在马路对面。
Zài mǎ lù duì miàn.
It's across the street.
Common mistakes / natural phrasing
'怎么走' is 'how do I get there'; for a specific place use '...怎么走.' '左边' and '右边' are 'left side' and 'right side'; when turning, '左拐' / '右拐' are more common than '向左拐' in speech. '附近' means 'nearby,' not 'close the door.'
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