Asking for Directions in Mandarin

If you ever need to ask for directions in Mandarin, it helps to know some important words and phrases. Here are some key words to make it easier for you to get around.

Key Vocabulary

• 旅行 (lǚxíng) - Travel
• 走 (zǒu) - To walk or go
• 左 (zuǒ) - Left
• 右 (yòu) - Right
• 直走 (zhí zǒu) - Go straight
• 到 (dào) - Arrive
• 哪里 (nǎlǐ) - Where
• 怎么走 (zěnme zǒu) - How to get there

Common Phrases

1. 请问，___在哪里？
   (Qǐngwèn, ___ zài nǎlǐ?)
   Excuse me, where is ___?

   Example: 请问，车站在哪里？
   (Excuse me, where is the bus station?)

2. 我怎么走到___？
   (Wǒ zěnme zǒu dào ___?)
   How do I get to ___?

   Example: 我怎么走到餐馆？
   (How do I get to the restaurant?)

3. 你可以告诉我吗？
   (Nǐ kěyǐ gàosù wǒ ma?)
   Can you tell me?

Responses for Directions

• 向左转 (xiàng zuǒ zhuǎn) - Turn left
• 向右转 (xiàng yòu zhuǎn) - Turn right
• 直走，再右转 (zhí zǒu, zài yòu zhuǎn) - Go straight, then turn right

Practice Example

• Asking: 请问，洗手间在哪里？
  (Excuse me, where is the bathroom?)

• Responding: 走到那里，向左转，洗手间就在左边。
  (Walk there, turn left, the bathroom is on the left.)

Learning these phrases will really help you find your way when you travel to places where Mandarin is spoken.