How to ask for directions in Chinese
Learn Essential Chinese Travel Phrases for a Seamless Adventure: How to ask for directions in Chinese
To ask for directions in Chinese, here are the three most common and polite question patterns:
-
……在哪？(… zài nǎ?)
- Meaning: “Where is…?”
- Example: 洗手间在哪？(Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎ?) — “Where is the restroom?”
-
去……怎么走？(Qù … zěnme zǒu?)
- Meaning: “How do I get to…?”
- Example: 去天安门怎么走？(Qù Tiānānmén zěnme zǒu?) — “How do I get to Tian’anmen Square?”
-
……离这儿有多远？(… lí zhèr yǒu duō yuǎn?)
- Meaning: “How far is… from here?”
- Example: 广州离这儿有多远？(Guǎngzhōu lí zhèr yǒu duō yuǎn?) — “How far is Guangzhou from here?”
Additionally, to be polite when asking someone, two common phrases are:
- 请问 (qǐngwèn) – “May I please ask…”
- 不好意思 (bù hǎo yìsi) – “Excuse me…”
Examples of polite ways to start your question:
- 请问，图书馆在哪儿？ (Qǐngwèn, túshūguǎn zài nǎr?) — “May I ask, where is the library?”
- 不好意思，火车站怎么走？ (Bù hǎo yìsi, huǒchēzhàn zěnme zǒu?) — “Excuse me, how do I get to the train station?”
These phrases combined with the question patterns will help in asking directions clearly and politely in Chinese.