Traditional Chinese Places & Buildings: 70+ Words + Direction Patterns (No Map Panic)

場所與建築（繁體中文）— the stuff you point at, walk to, and get lost near.

You’ll get Traditional Chinese characters, pinyin with tone marks, clear meanings, and real example sentences for the most common places and buildings.

Then we’ll add the direction + location grammar patterns people actually use, so you can say more than “uh… that place… over there… maybe.”

Yak Snark (gentle):

If your current strategy is “smile + point + hope,” you’re not alone. Let’s upgrade you to “smile + speak + actually get there.”

1) Quick Visual Cards: the places you ask for first

Tap 🔊 to hear the Hanzi (spoken in Taiwan Mandarin).

廁所

cèsuǒ

restroom / toilet

廁所在那邊。

cèsuǒ zài nàbiān.

The restroom is over there.

捷運站

jiéyùnzhàn

metro station (common in Taiwan)

捷運站離這裡很近。

jiéyùnzhàn lí zhèlǐ hěn jìn.

The metro station is close to here.

公車站

gōngchēzhàn

bus stop

公車站在銀行對面。

gōngchēzhàn zài yínháng duìmiàn.

The bus stop is across from the bank.

車站

chēzhàn

station (general)

我們在車站見面。

wǒmen zài chēzhàn jiànmiàn.

Let’s meet at the station.

醫院

yīyuàn

hospital

最近的醫院在哪裡？

zuìjìn de yīyuàn zài nǎlǐ?

Where is the nearest hospital?

超市

chāoshì

supermarket

我想去超市買水。

wǒ xiǎng qù chāoshì mǎi shuǐ.

I want to go to the supermarket to buy water.

銀行

yínháng

bank

銀行在右邊。

yínháng zài yòubiān.

The bank is on the right.

旅館

lǚguǎn

hotel (general)

這家旅館很安靜。

zhè jiā lǚguǎn hěn ānjìng.

This hotel is very quiet.

1.01) Survival phrases for finding places

These are copy-paste useful. Learn a few and you’ll sound impressively functional.

請問廁所在哪裡？

qǐngwèn cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?

Excuse me, where is the restroom?

不好意思，請問廁所在哪裡？

bùhǎoyìsi, qǐngwèn cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?

Sorry, where is the restroom?

這附近有便利商店嗎？

zhè fùjìn yǒu biànlì shāngdiàn ma?

Is there a convenience store nearby?

這附近有超市嗎？

zhè fùjìn yǒu chāoshì ma?

Is there a supermarket nearby?

我要去火車站。

wǒ yào qù huǒchēzhàn.

I want to go to the train station.

我想去機場。

wǒ xiǎng qù jīchǎng.

I want to go to the airport.

怎麼走到捷運站？

zěnme zǒu dào jiéyùnzhàn?

How do I walk to the metro station?

怎麼去圖書館？

zěnme qù túshūguǎn?

How do I get to the library?

離這裡遠嗎？

lí zhèlǐ yuǎn ma?

Is it far from here?

離這裡近嗎？

lí zhèlǐ jìn ma?

Is it close to here?

在左邊。

zài zuǒbiān.

It’s on the left.

在右邊。

zài yòubiān.

It’s on the right.

在你前面。

zài nǐ qiánmiàn.

It’s in front of you.

在你後面。

zài nǐ hòumiàn.

It’s behind you.

在銀行對面。

zài yínháng duìmiàn.

It’s across from the bank.

在超市旁邊。

zài chāoshì pángbiān.

It’s next to the supermarket.

走到第一個路口右轉。

zǒu dào dì yī gè lùkǒu yòuzhuǎn.

Walk to the first intersection and turn right.

走到第二個路口左轉。

zǒu dào dì èr gè lùkǒu zuǒzhuǎn.

Walk to the second intersection and turn left.

一直直走就到了。

yīzhí zhí zǒu jiù dào le.

Go straight and you’ll get there.

直走，別轉彎。

zhí zǒu, bié zhuǎnwān.

Go straight—don’t turn.

我迷路了。

wǒ mílù le.

I’m lost.

我找不到車站。

wǒ zhǎo bù dào chēzhàn.

I can’t find the station.

可以幫我指路嗎？

kěyǐ bāng wǒ zhǐlù ma?

Can you help me with directions?

可以告訴我怎麼走嗎？

kěyǐ gàosù wǒ zěnme zǒu ma?

Can you tell me how to go?

入口在那邊。

rùkǒu zài nàbiān.

The entrance is over there.

出口在二樓。

chūkǒu zài èrlóu.

The exit is on the second floor.

從這裡到公園要多久？

cóng zhèlǐ dào gōngyuán yào duōjiǔ?

How long does it take from here to the park?

走路要十分鐘嗎？

zǒulù yào shí fēnzhōng ma?

Does it take 10 minutes on foot?

1.1) Common grammar patterns for places (the useful kind)

You can mix these patterns with any place word below. It’s basically LEGO, but with fewer sharp pieces.

Pattern

在 + 地點 + 做事
Template: 在 + place + verb

我在圖書館讀書。

wǒ zài túshūguǎn dúshū.

I study at the library.

Pattern

去 / 到 + 地點
Template: 去/到 + place

我們到公園散步。

wǒmen dào gōngyuán sànbù.

We go to the park for a walk.

Pattern

從 A 到 B
Template: 從 + A + 到 + B

從車站到旅館要走十分鐘。

cóng chēzhàn dào lǚguǎn yào zǒu shí fēnzhōng.

From the station to the hotel takes 10 minutes on foot.

Pattern

離 + 地點 + 遠 / 近
Template: X 離這裡很近 / 很遠

銀行離這裡很近。

yínháng lí zhèlǐ hěn jìn.

The bank is very close to here.

Pattern

A 在 B 旁邊 / 對面 / 附近
Template: place + 在 + landmark + location word

電影院在百貨公司旁邊。

diànyǐngyuàn zài bǎihuò gōngsī pángbiān.

The cinema is next to the department store.

Pattern

往 + 方向 + 走 / 轉
Template: 往前走 / 往右轉

往前走，第二個路口左轉。

wǎng qián zǒu, dì èr gè lùkǒu zuǒzhuǎn.

Go forward, then turn left at the second intersection.

Pattern

一…就…
Template: as soon as… then…

一出入口就看到公車站。

yī chū rùkǒu jiù kàndào gōngchēzhàn.

As soon as you exit the entrance, you’ll see the bus stop.

Pattern

先…再…
Template: first… then…

先過斑馬線，再上天橋。

xiān guò bānmǎxiàn, zài shàng tiānqiáo.

First cross the crosswalk, then go up the pedestrian bridge.

2) Places & Buildings Vocabulary Tables

Each word includes a real sentence you can steal immediately. You’re welcome.

A) Food, shopping, and daily errands

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
餐廳	cāntīng	restaurant	這家餐廳很有名。 zhè jiā cāntīng hěn yǒumíng.	This restaurant is famous.
咖啡廳	kāfēitīng	café	我在咖啡廳等你。 wǒ zài kāfēitīng děng nǐ.	I’m waiting for you at the café.
便利商店	biànlì shāngdiàn	convenience store	便利商店二十四小時都開。 biànlì shāngdiàn èrshísì xiǎoshí dōu kāi.	The convenience store is open 24 hours.
市場	shìchǎng	market	早上去市場買水果。 zǎoshang qù shìchǎng mǎi shuǐguǒ.	Go to the market in the morning to buy fruit.
商店	shāngdiàn	shop / store	這條街有很多商店。 zhè tiáo jiē yǒu hěnduō shāngdiàn.	This street has many shops.
百貨公司	bǎihuò gōngsī	department store	百貨公司在轉角。 bǎihuò gōngsī zài zhuǎnjiǎo.	The department store is at the corner.
書店	shūdiàn	bookstore	書店在圖書館附近。 shūdiàn zài túshūguǎn fùjìn.	The bookstore is near the library.
文具店	wénjù diàn	stationery store	我去文具店買筆。 wǒ qù wénjù diàn mǎi bǐ.	I’m going to the stationery store to buy pens.
麵包店	miànbāo diàn	bakery	麵包店早上就很多人。 miànbāo diàn zǎoshang jiù hěnduō rén.	The bakery is crowded already in the morning.
藥局	yàojú	pharmacy	藥局在醫院旁邊。 yàojú zài yīyuàn pángbiān.	The pharmacy is next to the hospital.
診所	zhěnsuǒ	clinic	這間診所看診很快。 zhè jiān zhěnsuǒ kànzhěn hěn kuài.	This clinic is quick (to see patients).
洗衣店	xǐyī diàn	laundry / laundromat	洗衣店在巷子裡。 xǐyī diàn zài xiàngzi lǐ.	The laundromat is in the alley.
理髮店	lǐfà diàn	barber shop	我週末去理髮店剪頭髮。 wǒ zhōumò qù lǐfà diàn jiǎn tóufǎ.	I go to the barber shop on weekends for a haircut.
美容院	měiróngyuàn	beauty salon	美容院在二樓。 měiróngyuàn zài èrlóu.	The salon is on the second floor.

B) Public services, culture, and fun

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
警察局	jǐngchá jú	police station	警察局在市政府附近。 jǐngchá jú zài shìzhèngfǔ fùjìn.	The police station is near city hall.
消防局	xiāofáng jú	fire station	消防局在大馬路旁邊。 xiāofáng jú zài dà mǎlù pángbiān.	The fire station is beside the main road.
郵局	yóujú	post office	我去郵局寄包裹。 wǒ qù yóujú jì bāoguǒ.	I’m going to the post office to mail a package.
市政府	shìzhèngfǔ	city hall	市政府前面有一個廣場。 shìzhèngfǔ qiánmiàn yǒu yī gè guǎngchǎng.	There’s a plaza in front of city hall.
法院	fǎyuàn	court	法院在大樓後面。 fǎyuàn zài dàlóu hòumiàn.	The court is behind the building.
圖書館	túshūguǎn	library	圖書館裡很安靜。 túshūguǎn lǐ hěn ānjìng.	It’s very quiet inside the library.
博物館	bówùguǎn	museum	週末我們去博物館。 zhōumò wǒmen qù bówùguǎn.	We’re going to the museum on the weekend.
美術館	měishùguǎn	art museum	美術館在公園旁邊。 měishùguǎn zài gōngyuán pángbiān.	The art museum is next to the park.
電影院	diànyǐngyuàn	movie theater	電影院在百貨公司裡。 diànyǐngyuàn zài bǎihuò gōngsī lǐ.	The cinema is inside the department store.
劇院	jùyuàn	theater	劇院入口在左邊。 jùyuàn rùkǒu zài zuǒbiān.	The theater entrance is on the left.
展覽館	zhǎnlǎn guǎn	exhibition hall	展覽館今天人很多。 zhǎnlǎn guǎn jīntiān rén hěn duō.	The exhibition hall is very crowded today.
公園	gōngyuán	park	晚上去公園散步很舒服。 wǎnshang qù gōngyuán sànbù hěn shūfú.	It’s nice to take a walk in the park at night.
動物園	dòngwùyuán	zoo	小朋友很想去動物園。 xiǎopéngyǒu hěn xiǎng qù dòngwùyuán.	The kids really want to go to the zoo.
體育館	tǐyùguǎn	sports center / gymnasium	體育館在學校裡面。 tǐyùguǎn zài xuéxiào lǐmiàn.	The sports center is inside the school.

C) Transportation and city “stuff on the street”

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
機場	jīchǎng	airport	機場離市中心很遠。 jīchǎng lí shìzhōngxīn hěn yuǎn.	The airport is far from the city center.
港口	gǎngkǒu	harbor / port	港口旁邊有很多餐廳。 gǎngkǒu pángbiān yǒu hěnduō cāntīng.	There are many restaurants next to the harbor.
火車站	huǒchēzhàn	train station	火車站出口在前面。 huǒchēzhàn chūkǒu zài qiánmiàn.	The train station exit is in front.
高鐵站	gāotiězhàn	high-speed rail station	從高鐵站到市政府很方便。 cóng gāotiězhàn dào shìzhèngfǔ hěn fāngbiàn.	It’s convenient from the HSR station to city hall.
停車場	tíngchēchǎng	parking lot	停車場在大樓地下室。 tíngchēchǎng zài dàlóu dìxiàshì.	The parking lot is in the building basement.
加油站	jiāyóuzhàn	gas station	加油站在路口旁邊。 jiāyóuzhàn zài lùkǒu pángbiān.	The gas station is next to the intersection.
路	lù	road	這條路晚上很安靜。 zhè tiáo lù wǎnshang hěn ānjìng.	This road is quiet at night.
街	jiē	street	我們在這條街吃晚餐。 wǒmen zài zhè tiáo jiē chī wǎncān.	We eat dinner on this street.
巷	xiàng	alley / lane	那家咖啡廳在巷子裡。 nà jiā kāfēitīng zài xiàngzi lǐ.	That café is in the alley.
路口	lùkǒu	intersection	在下一個路口右轉。 zài xià yī gè lùkǒu yòuzhuǎn.	Turn right at the next intersection.
交叉口	jiāochākǒu	crossroad / junction	這個交叉口車很多。 zhè gè jiāochākǒu chē hěn duō.	There are lots of cars at this junction.
斑馬線	bānmǎxiàn	crosswalk	請走斑馬線。 qǐng zǒu bānmǎxiàn.	Please use the crosswalk.
紅綠燈	hónglǜdēng	traffic light	過了紅綠燈就到了。 guò le hónglǜdēng jiù dào le.	After the traffic light, you’ll arrive.
人行道	rénxíngdào	sidewalk	請在人行道上走。 qǐng zài rénxíngdào shàng zǒu.	Please walk on the sidewalk.
天橋	tiānqiáo	pedestrian overpass	上天橋比較安全。 shàng tiānqiáo bǐjiào ānquán.	Using the overpass is safer.
地下道	dìxiàdào	underpass	走地下道可以過馬路。 zǒu dìxiàdào kěyǐ guò mǎlù.	You can cross the road using the underpass.

D) Buildings and “inside the building” words

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
大樓	dàlóu	tall building	那棟大樓很高。 nà dòng dàlóu hěn gāo.	That building is very tall.
公寓	gōngyù	apartment building	我住在公寓三樓。 wǒ zhù zài gōngyù sān lóu.	I live on the 3rd floor of an apartment building.
入口	rùkǒu	entrance	入口在左邊那個門。 rùkǒu zài zuǒbiān nà gè mén.	The entrance is the door on the left.
出口	chūkǒu	exit	請從出口出去。 qǐng cóng chūkǒu chūqù.	Please leave through the exit.
電梯	diàntī	elevator	我們坐電梯到二樓。 wǒmen zuò diàntī dào èrlóu.	We take the elevator to the second floor.
樓梯	lóutī	stairs	樓梯在電梯旁邊。 lóutī zài diàntī pángbiān.	The stairs are next to the elevator.
大廳	dàtīng	lobby	我們在大廳集合。 wǒmen zài dàtīng jíhé.	We’ll meet in the lobby.
櫃檯	guìtái	counter / reception desk	請到櫃檯辦理入住。 qǐng dào guìtái bànlǐ rùzhù.	Please check in at the front desk.
走廊	zǒuláng	hallway	走廊右邊是洗手間。 zǒuláng yòubiān shì xǐshǒujiān.	The restroom is on the right side of the hallway.
房間	fángjiān	room	我的房間在三樓。 wǒ de fángjiān zài sān lóu.	My room is on the third floor.
地下室	dìxiàshì	basement	地下室有停車場。 dìxiàshì yǒu tíngchēchǎng.	There’s a parking lot in the basement.
一樓	yīlóu	first floor	一樓有咖啡廳。 yīlóu yǒu kāfēitīng.	There’s a café on the first floor.
二樓	èrlóu	second floor	二樓是電影院。 èrlóu shì diànyǐngyuàn.	The second floor is the cinema.
門口	ménkǒu	doorway / entrance area	我們在門口等。 wǒmen zài ménkǒu děng.	We’ll wait at the entrance.

E) Location words that make your directions sound real

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
左邊	zuǒbiān	left side	超市在左邊。 chāoshì zài zuǒbiān.	The supermarket is on the left.
右邊	yòubiān	right side	藥局在右邊。 yàojú zài yòubiān.	The pharmacy is on the right.
前面	qiánmiàn	in front	車站在前面。 chēzhàn zài qiánmiàn.	The station is ahead.
後面	hòumiàn	behind	郵局在銀行後面。 yóujú zài yínháng hòumiàn.	The post office is behind the bank.
旁邊	pángbiān	next to	餐廳在旅館旁邊。 cāntīng zài lǚguǎn pángbiān.	The restaurant is next to the hotel.
對面	duìmiàn	across from	書店在公園對面。 shūdiàn zài gōngyuán duìmiàn.	The bookstore is across from the park.
附近	fùjìn	nearby	附近有沒有超市？ fùjìn yǒu méiyǒu chāoshì?	Is there a supermarket nearby?
中間	zhōngjiān	in the middle	電梯在大廳中間。 diàntī zài dàtīng zhōngjiān.	The elevator is in the middle of the lobby.
角落	jiǎoluò	corner (inside a space)	洗手間在角落。 xǐshǒujiān zài jiǎoluò.	The restroom is in the corner.
轉角	zhuǎnjiǎo	street corner / around the corner	轉角那家麵包店很香。 zhuǎnjiǎo nà jiā miànbāo diàn hěn xiāng.	The bakery around the corner smells amazing.

F) Nature, landmarks, and “where are we even?” places

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
海邊	hǎibiān	seaside	我們下午去海邊。 wǒmen xiàwǔ qù hǎibiān.	We’re going to the seaside this afternoon.
山	shān	mountain	那座山很漂亮。 nà zuò shān hěn piàoliang.	That mountain is beautiful.
湖	hú	lake	湖邊很涼快。 húbiān hěn liángkuài.	It’s cool and refreshing by the lake.
河	hé	river	河上有一座橋。 hé shàng yǒu yī zuò qiáo.	There’s a bridge over the river.
寺廟	sìmiào	temple	寺廟前面有很多小吃。 sìmiào qiánmiàn yǒu hěnduō xiǎochī.	There are lots of snacks in front of the temple.
教堂	jiàotáng	church	教堂在公園旁邊。 jiàotáng zài gōngyuán pángbiān.	The church is next to the park.
學校	xuéxiào	school	學校對面有便利商店。 xuéxiào duìmiàn yǒu biànlì shāngdiàn.	There’s a convenience store across from the school.
大學	dàxué	university	大學附近房租比較貴。 dàxué fùjìn fángzū bǐjiào guì.	Rent near the university is more expensive.

Bonus: “building” words you’ll hear a lot

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)	Audio
洗手間	xǐshǒujiān	restroom (common alternative)	洗手間在走廊盡頭。 xǐshǒujiān zài zǒuláng jìntóu.	The restroom is at the end of the hallway.
修車廠	xiūchēchǎng	auto repair shop	修車廠在加油站旁邊。 xiūchēchǎng zài jiāyóuzhàn pángbiān.	The repair shop is next to the gas station.

3) Helpful variants (so you recognize both versions)

Same idea, different words. Learn both and you’ll understand more people in more places.

Variant	Pinyin	Meaning / Note	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
捷運站 / 地鐵站	jiéyùnzhàn / dìtiězhàn	metro station (捷運 common in Taiwan; 地鐵 common elsewhere)	地鐵站（捷運站）在前面兩個路口。 dìtiězhàn (jiéyùnzhàn) zài qiánmiàn liǎng gè lùkǒu.	The metro station is two intersections ahead.
旅館 / 飯店	lǚguǎn / fàndiàn	hotel (飯店 is very common in Taiwan)	這家飯店（旅館）離火車站很近。 zhè jiā fàndiàn (lǚguǎn) lí huǒchēzhàn hěn jìn.	This hotel is close to the train station.
廁所 / 洗手間	cèsuǒ / xǐshǒujiān	restroom (both common)	廁所（洗手間）在右邊。 cèsuǒ (xǐshǒujiān) zài yòubiān.	The restroom is on the right.
公車 / 巴士	gōngchē / bāshì	bus (公車 is very common; 巴士 is also used)	公車（巴士）站就在對面。 gōngchē (bāshì) zhàn jiù zài duìmiàn.	The bus stop is right across the street.

Yak Snark (also gentle):

If you can say “在…旁邊 / 對面 / 附近,” people will assume you’re way better at Chinese than you feel. Enjoy the free confidence upgrade.

1) Quick Visual Cards: the places you ask for first

1.01) Survival phrases for finding places

1.1) Common grammar patterns for places (the useful kind)

2) Places & Buildings Vocabulary Tables

A) Food, shopping, and daily errands

B) Public services, culture, and fun

C) Transportation and city “stuff on the street”

D) Buildings and “inside the building” words

E) Location words that make your directions sound real

F) Nature, landmarks, and “where are we even?” places

Bonus: “building” words you’ll hear a lot

3) Helpful variants (so you recognize both versions)

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