We’ve already learned so much about directions and locations in Chinese through the first two posts. Go back and read them if you haven’t already, as you’ll need the language learned in those for this final post. Part One gave a list of places and common location words, and Part Two teaches how to ask for and understand directions. Let’s put it all together and look at a few sample conversations between people asking for and giving directions so we can see all of this at work.

Where is the subway station?

请问地铁站在哪里？
qǐng wèn dì tiě zhàn zài nǎ lǐ
Excuse me, where’s the subway station?

地铁站就在前边
dì tiě zhàn jiù zài qián bian
The subway station is just ahead.

能告诉我怎么走吗？
néng gào sù wǒ zěn me zǒu ma
Can you tell me how to get there?

往前走一百米左右，然后右拐
wǎng qián zǒu yī bǎi mǐ zuǒ yòu, rán hòu yòu guǎi
Go straight for about 100 meters, then turn right.

右拐还是左拐？
yòu guǎi hái shì zuǒ guǎi
Turn right or turn left?

右拐
yòu guǎi
Turn right.

好，然后呢？
hǎo, rán hòu ne
Great, and then?

右拐以后你可以看到地铁站
yòu guǎi yǐ hòu nǐ kě yǐ kàn dào dì tiě zhàn
After you turn right, you’ll be able to see the subway station.

好谢谢
hǎo xiè xiè
Great thanks.

不用了
bù yòng le
No worries.

Is there a bank near here?

对不起，你可以帮我吗？
duì bù qǐ, nǐ kě yǐ bāng wǒ ma
Excuse me, can you help me?

可以，有什么事？
kě yǐ, yǒu shén me shì
Sure, what is it?

这里的附近有银行吗？
zhè lǐ de fù jìn yǒu yín háng ma
Is there a bank near here?

我想一想… 有的
wǒ xiǎng yī xiǎng… yǒu de
Let me think… there is.

在哪里？
zài nǎ lǐ
Where?

银行在医院旁边
yín háng zài yī yuàn páng biān
The bank is next to the hospital.

好，谢谢。怎么走医院？
hǎo, xiè xiè. zěn me zǒu yī yuàn
Great, thanks. How can I get to the hospital?

往西走大概一公里，然后左转
wǎng xī zǒu dà gài yī gōng lǐ, rán hòu zuǒ zhuǎn
Go west for about 1km, then turn left.

然后银行在医院对面，对吗？
rán hòu yín háng zài yī yuàn duì miàn, duì ma
Then the bank is opposite the hospital, right?

不对，银行在医院旁边
bù duì, yín háng zài yī yuàn páng biān
No, the bank is next to the hospital.

好我知道了，谢谢
hǎo wǒ zhī dào le, xiè xiè
OK I got it, thanks.

不客气，慢走
bù kè qì, màn zǒu
You’re welcome, take care.

Some Tips

As you can see from those two conversations, we used a lot of the words and phrases taught in the first two posts. When it comes to asking for and giving directions in Chinese, you’ve just got to keep practicing. Think about places in your neighborhood and how you would give directions to someone. Practice saying it and even writing them out in Chinese if you can. When you’re out there on the street, constantly ask people for directions, even if you know where you’re going! Play the lost tourist card and ask how to get to famous landmarks so you can see if you’re able to understand directions. You’ll be asking for and giving directions like a boss in no time.