{"id":181947,"date":"2020-06-08T17:42:13","date_gmt":"2020-06-08T21:42:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/directions-in-chinese\/"},"modified":"2025-01-17T00:24:11","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T05:24:11","slug":"directions-in-chinese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/chinese\/directions-in-chinese\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Ask for and Understand Directions in Chinese"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’re going to travel to China<\/a>, odds are that you will feel a little lost at some point.<\/p>\n

This is why it’s so important to know a few key terms that will help you ask for assistance in Chinese.<\/p>\n

In this blog post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about asking and understanding directions in Chinese (\u65b9\u5411\u2014 f\u0101ng xi\u00e0ng<\/em>)<\/strong>, including new words for places to go, basic phrases<\/a> and more.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

How to Get Directions in Chinese<\/h2>\n

First, let’s take a look at a few phrases that’ll be critical in helping you form sentences related to placement, locations and directions in Chinese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Chinese<\/th>Pinyin<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
...\u5728\u54ea\u91cc\uff1f <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>z\u00e0i n\u01ce l\u01d0?<\/i><\/td>Where is...?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
...\u79bb\u8fd9\u91cc\u8fdc\u5417\uff1f <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>...l\u00ed zh\u00e9 l\u00ec yu\u01cen ma?<\/i><\/td>Is... far from here?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
...\u79bb\u8fd9\u91cc\u8fd1\u5417\uff1f <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>...l\u00ed zh\u00e9 l\u00ec j\u00ecn ma?<\/i><\/td>Is... close to here?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u4ece...\u5230...\u8981\u591a\u957f\u65f6\u95f4\uff1f <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>c\u00f3ng... d\u00e0o... y\u00e0o du\u014d ch\u00e1ng sh\u00ed ji\u0101n?<\/i><\/td>How long does it take to get from... to...?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u53bb...\u600e\u4e48\u8d70\uff1f <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>q\u00f9... z\u011bn me z\u01d2u?<\/i><\/td>How do I get to ...?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5750... <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>zu\u00f2...<\/i><\/td>to take...<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Here are some example sentences to help you practice:<\/p>\n

\u8d85\u5e02\u5728\u54ea\u91cc\uff1f<\/strong>
\n(ch\u0101o sh\u00ec z\u00e0i n\u01ce l\u01d0?)
\n<\/em>Where is the supermarket?<\/p>\n

\u94f6\u884c\u79bb\u8fd9\u91cc\u8fdc\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>
\n(y\u00edn h\u00e1ng l\u00ed zh\u00e8 l\u01d0 yu\u01cen ma?)
\n<\/em>Is the bank far from here?<\/p>\n

\u4ece\u5927\u5b66\u5230\u56fe\u4e66\u9986\u8981\u591a\u957f\u65f6\u95f4\uff1f<\/strong>
\n(c\u00f3ng d\u00e0 xu\u00e9 d\u00e0o t\u00fa sh\u016b gu\u01cen y\u00e0o du\u014d ch\u00e1ng sh\u00ed ji\u0101n?)
\n<\/em>How long does it take to get from the university to the library?<\/p>\n

Vocabulary for Directions in Chinese<\/h2>\n

Now that you know how to form basic sentences when it comes to asking for directions, let’s look at specific vocabulary terms that may come up:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Chinese<\/th>Pinyin<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u6307\u8def <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>zh\u01d0 l\u00f9<\/i><\/td>To give directions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u95ee\u8def <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>w\u00e8n l\u00f9<\/i><\/td>To ask for directions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5730\u56fe <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>d\u00ec t\u00fa<\/i><\/td>Map<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u8ff7\u8def <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>m\u00ed l\u00f9<\/i><\/td>To get lost<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u8d70\u8def <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>z\u01d2u l\u00f9<\/i><\/td>To go by foot<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5750\u706b\u8f66 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>zu\u00f2 hu\u01d2 ch\u0113<\/i><\/td>To take the train<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5f00\u8f66 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>k\u0101i ch\u0113<\/i><\/td>To drive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5750\u98de\u673a <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>zu\u00f2 f\u0113i j\u012b<\/i><\/td>To take an airplane<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u8857 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>ji\u0113<\/i><\/td>Street<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5728\u8def\u4e0a <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>z\u00e0i l\u00f9 sh\u00e0ng<\/i><\/td>On the way<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Examples:<\/p>\n

\u53ef\u4ee5\u8d70\u8def\u5230\u8d85\u5e02\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>
\n(k\u011b y\u01d0 z\u01d2u l\u00f9 d\u00e0o ch\u0101o sh\u00ec ma?)<\/em>
\nCan you go to the supermarket by foot?<\/p>\n

\u4f60\u9700\u8981\u4ece\u5317\u4eac\u5750\u98de\u673a\u5230\u4e0a\u6d77\u3002<\/strong>
\n(n\u01d0 x\u016b y\u00e0o c\u00f3ng b\u011bi j\u012bng zu\u00f2 f\u0113i j\u012b d\u00e0o sh\u00e0ng h\u01cei.)<\/em>
\nYou need to fly from Beijing to Shanghai.<\/p>\n

\u4e0d\u7528\u62c5\u5fc3\uff0c \u6211\u5728\u8def\u4e0a\uff01<\/strong>
\n(b\u00fa y\u00f2ng d\u0101n x\u012bn, w\u01d2 z\u00e0i l\u00f9 sh\u00e0ng!)<\/em>
\nDon’t worry, I’m on the way!<\/p>\n

Places to Go in Chinese<\/h2>\n

Here are some of the most common locations you might need to tell someone you’re going to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Chinese<\/th>Pinyin<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u94f6\u884c <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>y\u00edn h\u00e1ng<\/i><\/td>Bank<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u533b\u9662 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>y\u012b yu\u00e0n<\/i><\/td>Hospital<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u706b\u8f66\u7ad9 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>hu\u01d2 ch\u0113 zh\u00e0n<\/i><\/td>Train station<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5730\u94c1\u7ad9 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>d\u00ec ti\u011b zh\u00e0n<\/i><\/td>Subway station<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u8d85\u5e02 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>ch\u0101o sh\u00ec<\/i><\/td>Grocery store \/ supermarket<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5546\u573a <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>sh\u0101ng ch\u01ceng<\/i><\/td>Shopping mall<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u535a\u7269\u9986 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>b\u00f3 w\u00f9 gu\u01cen<\/i><\/td>Museum<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u56fe\u4e66\u9986 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>t\u00fa sh\u016b gu\u01cen<\/i><\/td>Library<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u9910\u5385 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>c\u0101n t\u012bng<\/i><\/td>Restaurant (casual)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u9152\u5427 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>ji\u01d4 b\u0101<\/i><\/td>Bar<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u516c\u56ed <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>g\u014dng yu\u00e1n<\/i><\/td>Park<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u673a\u573a <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>j\u012b ch\u01ceng<\/i><\/td>Airport<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u7535\u5f71\u9662 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>di\u00e0n y\u01d0ng yu\u00e0n<\/i><\/td>Movie theater<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Examples:<\/p>\n

\u4f60\u8fd8\u5728\u706b\u8f66\u7ad9\u5417\uff1f\u6211\u627e\u4e0d\u5230\u4f60\u3002<\/strong>
\n(n\u01d0 h\u00e1i z\u00e0i hu\u01d2 ch\u0113 zh\u00e0n ma? w\u01d2 zh\u01ceo b\u00fa d\u00e0o n\u01d0.)<\/em>
\nAre you still at the train station? I can’t find you.<\/p>\n

\u8bf7\u95ee\uff0c\u4f60\u53ef\u4ee5\u5e2e\u6211\u627e\u535a\u7269\u9986\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>
\n(q\u01d0ng w\u00e8n, n\u01d0 k\u011b y\u01d0 b\u0101ng w\u01d2 zh\u01ceo b\u00f3 w\u00f9 gu\u01cen ma?)<\/em>
\nExcuse me, can you help me find the museum?<\/p>\n

\u90a3\u4e2a\u533b\u9662\u5728\u53e6\u4e00\u6761\u8857\u3002<\/strong>
\n(n\u00e0 ge y\u012b yu\u00e0n z\u00e0i l\u00ecng y\u00ec ti\u00e1o ji\u0113.)<\/em>
\nThat hospital is on the other street.<\/p>\n

Location Words in Chinese<\/h2>\n

When someone is giving you directions or you need to ask where things are in relation to other places, here are some location-based vocabulary that you may need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Chinese<\/th>Pinyin<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u524d\u9762 <\/a>\n \/ \u524d\u8fb9 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>qi\u00e1n mi\u00e0n \/ qi\u00e1n bi\u0101n<\/i><\/td>In front of<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u540e\u9762 <\/a>\n \/ \u540e\u8fb9 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>h\u00f2u mi\u00e0n \/ h\u00f2u bi\u0101n<\/i><\/td>Behind<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5916\u9762 <\/a>\n \/ \u5916\u8fb9 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>w\u00e0i mi\u00e0n \/ w\u00e0i bi\u0101n<\/i><\/td>Outside<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u91cc\u9762 <\/a>\n \/ \u91cc\u8fb9 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>l\u01d0 mi\u00e0n \/ l\u01d0 bi\u0101n<\/i><\/td>Inside<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u53f3\u8fb9 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>y\u00f2u bi\u0101n<\/i><\/td>To the right of<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5de6\u8fb9 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>zu\u01d2 bi\u0101n<\/i><\/td>To the left of<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u4e00\u76f4 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>y\u00ec zh\u00ed<\/i><\/td>Straight<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u65c1\u8fb9 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>p\u00e1ng bi\u0101n<\/i><\/td>Next to<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5317\u65b9 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>b\u011bi f\u0101ng<\/i><\/td>North<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5357\u65b9 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>n\u00e1n f\u0101ng<\/i><\/td>South<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u897f\u65b9 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>x\u012b f\u0101ng<\/i><\/td>West<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u4e1c\u65b9 <\/a>\n <\/b><\/td>d\u014dng f\u0101ng<\/i><\/td>East<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Examples:<\/p>\n

\u56fe\u4e66\u9986\u5728\u5927\u5b66\u7684\u524d\u9762\u3002<\/strong>
\n(t\u00fa sh\u016b gu\u01cen z\u00e0i d\u00e0 xu\u00e9 de qi\u00e1n mi\u00e0n.)<\/em>
\nThe library is in front of the university.<\/p>\n

\u533b\u9662\u5728\u9910\u5385\u7684\u53f3\u8fb9\u3002<\/strong>
\n(y\u012b yu\u00e0n z\u00e0i c\u0101n t\u012bng de y\u00f2u bi\u0101n.)<\/em>
\nThe hospital is to the right of the restaurant.<\/p>\n

\u6211\u8fd8\u5728\u706b\u8f66\u7ad9\u3002\u5728\u5165\u53e3\u7684\u65c1\u8fb9\u3002<\/strong>
\n(w\u01d2 h\u00e1i z\u00e0i hu\u01d2 ch\u0113 zh\u00e0n. z\u00e0i r\u00f9 k\u01d2u de p\u00e1ng bi\u0101n.)<\/em>
\nI’m still at the trains station. (I’m) next to the entrance.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So, what’s next now that you know how to talk about, ask for and give directions in Chinese?<\/p>\n

It’s time to hit the streets!<\/p>\n

For good practice, look out for these phrases when watching Chinese media. Using a resource like FluentU<\/a> gives you an extra advantage since you can spot and click on direction words and phrases in the interactive subtitles.

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

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You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

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