Traditional Chinese - Asking Directions

不好意思，請問___在哪裡？

Bù hǎo yìsi, qǐngwèn ___ zài nǎlǐ?

Excuse me, where is ___?

Meaning: 不好意思，請問___在哪裡？ means “Excuse me, where is ___?”

When to use: Use this polite question when you want to ask a stranger or staff member where a place is.

Tip: Don’t drop 請問 (qǐngwèn) when asking a stranger; it makes the question sound much more polite.

請問，___要怎麼去？

Qǐngwèn, ___ yào zěnme qù?

How do I get to ___?

Meaning: 請問，___要怎麼去？ means “How do I get to ___?”

When to use: Use this when you know the destination but need the route or transportation method.

離這裡近嗎

Lí zhèlǐ jìn ma?

Is it near here?

Meaning: 離這裡近嗎？ means “Is it near here?”

When to use: Use this after naming or hearing about a place, to check if it is close.

Tip: 近 (jìn) means “near”; 遠 (yuǎn) means “far.” They are easy to mix up at first.

離這裡遠嗎

Lí zhèlǐ yuǎn ma?

Is it far from here?

Meaning: 離這裡遠嗎？ means “Is it far from here?”

When to use: Use this to check whether a place is far away before walking or taking transport.

直走

Zhí zǒu.

Go straight.

Meaning: 直走 means “Go straight.”

When to use: Use this as a short, simple direction telling someone to continue forward.

左轉

Zuǒ zhuǎn.

Turn left.

Meaning: 左轉 means “Turn left.”

When to use: Use this when giving or confirming a left turn.

Tip: 左 (zuǒ) is left; 右 (yòu) is right. Try pointing as you say them.

右轉

Yòu zhuǎn.

Turn right.

Meaning: 右轉 means “Turn right.”

When to use: Use this when giving or confirming a right turn.

在左邊

Zài zuǒbiān.

It's on the left.

Meaning: 在左邊 means “It’s on the left.”

When to use: Use this to say a place, shop, or thing is on the left side.

在右邊

Zài yòubiān.

It's on the right.

Meaning: 在右邊 means “It’s on the right.”

When to use: Use this to say a place, shop, or thing is on the right side.

請問___怎麼走？

Qǐngwèn ___ zěnme zǒu?

Can you tell me the way to ___?

Meaning: 請問___怎麼走？ means “Can you tell me the way to ___?”

When to use: Use this very natural Taiwan Mandarin question when asking for directions to a place.

往___是走這邊嗎？

Wǎng ___ shì zǒu zhèbiān ma?

Is this the way to ___?

Meaning: 往___是走這邊嗎？ means “Is this the way to ___?”

When to use: Use this when you are already moving and want to confirm you are going the correct way.

___要往哪邊走？

___ yào wǎng nǎbiān zǒu?

Which way is ___?

Meaning: ___要往哪邊走？ means “Which way is ___?”

When to use: Use this to ask which direction to go for a destination.

我要直走嗎

Wǒ yào zhí zǒu ma?

Do I go straight?

Meaning: 我要直走嗎？ means “Do I go straight?”

When to use: Use this to confirm whether you should keep going forward.