Simplified Chinese - Lesson 149 of 156: Directions in the City

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

往前走

Wǎng qián zǒu.

Go forward.

Meaning: Go forward.

When to use: Use this short command when you want someone to move forward a bit or continue in the forward direction.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 向前走 (xiàng qián zǒu) — that's also okay, but 往前走 is more colloquial in spoken directions.

请你往前走一点，站到门口那儿。

Qǐng nǐ wǎng qián zǒu yīdiǎn, zhàn dào ménkǒu nà'er.

Please go forward a bit and stand near the doorway.

看到红绿灯就往前走，不要停。

Kàn dào hónglǜdēng jiù wǎng qián zǒu, bú yào tíng.

When you see the traffic light, go forward — don't stop.

往左拐

Wǎng zuǒ guǎi.

Turn left.

Meaning: Turn left.

When to use: Give this quick instruction when the person should turn left at an intersection or corner.

到了咖啡店门口往左拐，商场就在右手边。

Dào le kāfēidiàn ménkǒu wǎng zuǒ guǎi, shāngchǎng jiù zài yòushǒubiān.

Turn left at the coffee shop entrance; the mall will be on the right.

请在第二个路口往左拐，不要过马路。

Qǐng zài dì èr gè lùkǒu wǎng zuǒ guǎi, bú yào guò mǎlù.

Please turn left at the second intersection, don't cross the road.

往右拐

Wǎng yòu guǎi.

Turn right.

Meaning: Turn right.

When to use: Tell someone to turn right at a corner, next street, or intersection.

车站出来后往右拐，走两分钟就到了。

Chēzhàn chūlái hòu wǎng yòu guǎi, zǒu liǎng fēnzhōng jiù dào le.

After leaving the station turn right — it's a two-minute walk.

别往前走，到了路口往右拐。

Bié wǎng qián zǒu, dào le lùkǒu wǎng yòu guǎi.

Don't go straight; when you get to the intersection turn right.

一直走

Yìzhí zǒu.

Go straight.

Meaning: Go straight.

When to use: Use this when you want someone to continue straight ahead along the road without turning.

Tip: Learners sometimes use 往前走 interchangeably; 一直走 emphasizes continuing straight for a distance.

从这里一直走，看到公园就在左边。

Cóng zhèlǐ yìzhí zǒu, kàn dào gōngyuán jiù zài zuǒbiān.

Go straight from here; you'll see the park on the left.

一直走到十字路口，再过马路就到了。

Yìzhí zǒu dào shízì lùkǒu, zài guò mǎlù jiù dào le.

Walk straight to the crossroads, then cross the road and you'll arrive.

过马路

Guò mǎlù.

Cross the road.

Meaning: Cross the road.

When to use: Tell someone to go across the street (use at crosswalks or when instructed to reach the opposite side).

过马路要注意看红绿灯和来车。

Guò mǎlù yào zhùyì kàn hónglǜdēng hé lái chē.

When crossing the road watch the traffic lights and incoming cars.

过马路后往前走就是学校的门口。

Guò mǎlù hòu wǎng qián zǒu jiù shì xuéxiào de ménkǒu.

After crossing the road and going forward you'll be at the school gate.

到路口再拐

Dào lùkǒu zài guǎi.

Turn when you get to the intersection.

Meaning: Turn when you get to the intersection.

When to use: Use this when you want someone to wait until they reach the intersection and then turn (direction implied elsewhere).

走到那条街，看到路口就到路口再拐。

Zǒu dào nà tiáo jiē, kàn dào lùkǒu jiù dào lùkǒu zài guǎi.

Walk to that street; when you see the intersection, turn then.

这段路复杂，先走到路口，再听我说到路口再拐。

Zhè duàn lù fùzá, xiān zǒu dào lùkǒu, zài tīng wǒ shuō dào lùkǒu zài guǎi.

This section is tricky — first walk to the intersection, then follow me: turn when you get there.

离这儿远吗

Lí zhèr yuǎn ma?

Is it far from here?

Meaning: Is it far from here?

When to use: Ask this before deciding whether to walk or take transport; useful for short travel planning.

离这儿远吗？如果不远我们就走过去。

Lí zhèr yuǎn ma? Rúguǒ bú yuǎn wǒmen jiù zǒu guòqù.

Is it far from here? If not, we'll walk there.

离这儿远吗？我带着行李不想走很久。

Lí zhèr yuǎn ma? Wǒ dài zhe xíngli bú xiǎng zǒu hěn jiǔ.

Is it far from here? I have luggage and don't want to walk long.

走路要多久

Zǒulù yào duōjiǔ?

How long does it take to walk?

Meaning: How long does it take to walk?

When to use: Ask this to estimate walking time, often used when deciding whether to walk or take a taxi/public transport.

从饭店走到景点，走路要多久？

Cóng fàndiàn zǒu dào jǐngdiǎn, zǒulù yào duōjiǔ?

From the restaurant to the attraction, how long does it take to walk?

你们走得快吗？从这里走路要多久？

Nǐmen zǒu de kuài ma? Cóng zhèlǐ zǒulù yào duōjiǔ?

Do you walk quickly? How long does it take to walk from here?

Simplified Chinese - Directions in the City

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase means 'Turn left.'?

How do you ask 'Is it far from here?'

Which phrase tells someone to cross the street?

If someone says '到了路口再拐', they mean:

From here to the park, go straight along that road and you'll see the entrance.

After the crossroads, you see the metro entrance on the right, so you should turn right there.

We wanted to know how long it takes from the hotel to the attraction, so I asked a passerby: 'How long does it take to walk?'

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice