Lesson 5: Directions and Locations (方向和位置)
Learn to ask for and give directions, describe locations, and use essential position words for HSK preparation
Lesson 5: Directions and Locations 🗺️
方向和位置 (fāngxiàng hé wèizhì)
Welcome to Lesson 5! Now that you've mastered greetings, family terms, daily routines, and shopping, it's time to navigate the world around you. In this lesson, you'll learn how to ask for directions, describe locations, and use position words (方位词 - fāngwèi cí) that are essential for HSK 2-3 level preparation. 🧭
Introduction: Why Directions Matter
Imagine you're visiting Beijing, Shanghai, or Taipei. You need to find a restaurant, locate your hotel, or ask where the nearest subway station is. Without direction vocabulary, you'd be lost! This lesson equips you with the practical language skills to navigate Chinese-speaking environments confidently.
💡 Cultural Tip: In China, addresses often start with the largest unit (country, province, city) and narrow down to the smallest (building number). This reflects the Chinese cultural emphasis on hierarchy and collective identity before individual specificity.
Core Concept 1: Basic Direction Vocabulary 🧭
Let's start with the fundamental direction words you'll use constantly:
The Four Cardinal Directions
北 (běi)
NORTH
↑
|
西 (xī) ← + → 东 (dōng)
WEST | EAST
↓
南 (nán)
SOUTH
Key Vocabulary:
- 东 (dōng) - East
- 南 (nán) - South
- 西 (xī) - West
- 北 (běi) - North
- 左 (zuǒ) - Left
- 右 (yòu) - Right
- 前 (qián) - Front/ahead
- 后 (hòu) - Back/behind
- 上 (shàng) - Up/above
- 下 (xià) - Down/below
🗣️ Pronunciation Hints:
- 北 (běi): Sounds like "bay" with a falling-rising tone
- 左 (zuǒ): Like "zwaw" with a falling-rising tone
- 右 (yòu): Like "yo" with a falling tone
Combining Directions
Chinese combines cardinal directions to create intermediate directions:
- 东北 (dōngběi) - Northeast (literally "east-north")
- 东南 (dōngnán) - Southeast
- 西北 (xīběi) - Northwest
- 西南 (xīnán) - Southwest
🧠 Mnemonic Device: Remember the order: 东南西北 (dōng-nán-xī-běi) - "East-South-West-North" is the traditional Chinese sequence, like saying "clockwise from 3 o'clock"!
Core Concept 2: Position Words and Location Phrases 📍
Position words (方位词) are crucial for describing where things are. They often follow a noun + position word structure.
Essential Position Words
+------------------+------------------+------------------+
| Position Word | Pinyin | English |
+------------------+------------------+------------------+
| 旁边 | pángbiān | beside/next to |
| 对面 | duìmiàn | opposite |
| 里面 | lǐmiàn | inside |
| 外面 | wàimiàn | outside |
| 上面 | shàngmiàn | above/on |
| 下面 | xiàmiàn | below/under |
| 中间 | zhōngjiān | middle/between |
| 附近 | fùjìn | nearby |
+------------------+------------------+------------------+
Structure Pattern: 在 + Location
The preposition 在 (zài) means "at/in/on" and introduces location:
Formula: Subject + 在 + Location
Examples:
- 书在桌子上面。(Shū zài zhuōzi shàngmiàn.) - The book is on the table.
- 银行在邮局旁边。(Yínháng zài yóujú pángbiān.) - The bank is beside the post office.
💡 Grammar Tip: Notice that Chinese says "table's above" (桌子上面) rather than just "on table." The position word adds specificity!
Common Location Nouns
- 地铁站 (dìtiězhàn) - subway station
- 公交车站 (gōngjiāochēzhàn) - bus stop
- 十字路口 (shízì lùkǒu) - intersection (literally "cross road mouth")
- 红绿灯 (hónglǜdēng) - traffic light (literally "red-green light")
- 拐角 (guǎijiǎo) - corner (where you turn)
- 路 (lù) - road/street
- 街 (jiē) - street
🤔 Did You Know? The word 路口 (lùkǒu - intersection) literally means "road mouth" - imagine roads "opening" where they meet!
Core Concept 3: Asking for Directions 🗣️
Now let's learn the essential phrases for asking directions - these are HSK 2-3 staples!
Key Question Phrases
1. 请问，...在哪儿？ (Qǐngwèn, ... zài nǎr?)
- "Excuse me, where is...?"
- 请问 (qǐngwèn) - polite way to start a question ("may I ask")
- 在哪儿 (zài nǎr) - "is where" (literally "at where")
2. ...怎么走？ (... zěnme zǒu?)
- "How do I get to...?"
- 怎么 (zěnme) - "how"
- 走 (zǒu) - "walk/go"
3. 离这儿远吗？ (Lí zhèr yuǎn ma?)
- "Is it far from here?"
- 离 (lí) - "from" (distance from)
- 这儿 (zhèr) - "here"
- 远 (yuǎn) - "far"
Response Vocabulary
Direction Commands:
- 一直走 (yìzhí zǒu) - go straight
- 往前走 (wǎng qián zǒu) - go forward
- 左转 (zuǒ zhuǎn) - turn left
- 右转 (yòu zhuǎn) - turn right
- 过 (guò) - pass/cross
- 到 (dào) - arrive at/reach
Distance Expressions:
- 很近 (hěn jìn) - very close
- 不远 (bù yuǎn) - not far
- 有点儿远 (yǒudiǎnr yuǎn) - a bit far
- 走路五分钟 (zǒulù wǔ fēnzhōng) - 5 minutes on foot
DIRECTION GIVING STRUCTURE:
1. Starting phrase: 你 + [direction verb]
(You + direction instruction)
2. Reference point: 到/过 + [landmark]
(reach/pass + landmark)
3. Final instruction: 然后 + [next action]
(then + next action)
Example:
你往前走，过第一个红绿灯，然后左转。
(Go forward, pass the first traffic light, then turn left.)
Core Concept 4: Descriptive Location Sentences 📝
Let's build more complex sentences combining what you've learned.
Pattern 1: A 在 B 的 + Position Word
Formula: A is at/in/on B's [position]
超市在银行的左边。(Chāoshì zài yínháng de zuǒbiān.)
- The supermarket is to the left of the bank.
我的学校在图书馆的对面。(Wǒ de xuéxiào zài túshūguǎn de duìmiàn.)
- My school is opposite the library.
⚠️ Common Mistake: Don't forget the 的 (de) between the reference object and position word!
- ❌ 银行在邮局旁边 (missing structure)
- ✅ 银行在邮局的旁边 (correct with 的)
- ✅ 银行在邮局旁边 (also acceptable - 的 can be omitted with certain position words like 旁边)
Pattern 2: Distance with 离 (lí)
Formula: A 离 B + Distance Expression
我家离地铁站很近。(Wǒ jiā lí dìtiězhàn hěn jìn.)
- My home is very close to the subway station.
学校离这儿不远。(Xuéxiào lí zhèr bù yuǎn.)
- The school is not far from here.
🧠 Memory Tip: Think of 离 (lí) as "leave" - measuring how much you need to "leave" one place to reach another!
Example 1: At the Train Station 🚉
Scenario: You've just arrived at Beijing train station and need to find your hotel.
Dialogue:
You: 请问，北京饭店怎么走？
(Qǐngwèn, Běijīng Fàndiàn zěnme zǒu?)
Excuse me, how do I get to Beijing Hotel?
Stranger: 你出了车站，往右转。一直走大概十分钟，在第二个红绿灯那儿左转。北京饭店就在银行的旁边。
(Nǐ chūle chēzhàn, wǎng yòu zhuǎn. Yìzhí zǒu dàgài shí fēnzhōng, zài dì-èr gè hónglǜdēng nàr zuǒ zhuǎn. Běijīng Fàndiàn jiù zài yínháng de pángbiān.)
After you exit the station, turn right. Go straight for about 10 minutes, at the second traffic light turn left. Beijing Hotel is right next to the bank.
You: 离这儿远吗？
(Lí zhèr yuǎn ma?)
Is it far from here?
Stranger: 不太远。走路十五分钟左右。
(Bù tài yuǎn. Zǒulù shíwǔ fēnzhōng zuǒyòu.)
Not too far. About 15 minutes on foot.
You: 谢谢！
(Xièxie!)
Thank you!
Breakdown:
- 出了车站 (chūle chēzhàn) - "exit the station" (了 indicates completion)
- 大概 (dàgài) - "approximately"
- 就在 (jiù zài) - "right at/just at" (就 adds emphasis)
- 左右 (zuǒyòu) - "approximately" (literally "left-right")
💡 Usage Tip: Adding 左右 after numbers makes estimates sound more natural, like saying "or so" in English!
Example 2: Looking for a Restaurant 🍜
Scenario: You're hungry and asking a local where to find a good noodle restaurant.
Dialogue:
You: 请问，这附近有面馆吗？
(Qǐngwèn, zhè fùjìn yǒu miànguǎn ma?)
Excuse me, is there a noodle restaurant nearby?
Local: 有！前面有一家很好吃的面馆。
(Yǒu! Qiánmiàn yǒu yì jiā hěn hǎochī de miànguǎn.)
Yes! There's a very delicious noodle restaurant ahead.
You: 在哪儿？
(Zài nǎr?)
Where is it?
Local: 你往前走，过了邮局，面馆就在邮局和超市的中间。
(Nǐ wǎng qián zǒu, guòle yóujú, miànguǎn jiù zài yóujú hé chāoshì de zhōngjiān.)
Go forward, pass the post office, the noodle restaurant is between the post office and the supermarket.
You: 走路要多长时间？
(Zǒulù yào duō cháng shíjiān?)
How long does it take to walk there?
Local: 大概三分钟。很近！
(Dàgài sān fēnzhōng. Hěn jìn!)
About 3 minutes. Very close!
Breakdown:
- 面馆 (miànguǎn) - noodle restaurant (馆 means "hall" or establishment)
- 过了 (guòle) - "passed" (了 indicates completion)
- 和 (hé) - "and" (connecting two nouns)
- 要 (yào) - "need" (here: "does it take")
- 多长时间 (duō cháng shíjiān) - "how long" (literally "how long time")
🎭 Cultural Note: Chinese people often use 很 (hěn - "very") even when not emphasizing. "很近" might just mean "close" rather than "very close" - it's a linguistic habit!
Example 3: Giving Directions to Your Home 🏠
Scenario: Your Chinese friend is visiting. You're explaining how to get to your apartment from the subway station.
You (on phone): 你到地铁站了吗？
(Nǐ dào dìtiězhàn le ma?)
Have you arrived at the subway station?
Friend: 到了！我在A出口。
(Dào le! Wǒ zài A chūkǒu.)
Yes! I'm at Exit A.
You: 好的。你从A出口出来，往左转。一直走到十字路口，然后右转。我家在前面第三栋楼，五楼。
(Hǎo de. Nǐ cóng A chūkǒu chūlái, wǎng zuǒ zhuǎn. Yìzhí zǒu dào shízì lùkǒu, ránhòu yòu zhuǎn. Wǒ jiā zài qiánmiàn dì-sān dòng lóu, wǔ lóu.)
Okay. Exit from Exit A, turn left. Go straight to the intersection, then turn right. My home is in the third building ahead, 5th floor.
Friend: 离地铁站远吗？
(Lí dìtiězhàn yuǎn ma?)
Is it far from the subway station?
You: 不远。走路五分钟就到了。
(Bù yuǎn. Zǒulù wǔ fēnzhōng jiù dào le.)
Not far. Just 5 minutes walking and you'll arrive.
Breakdown:
- 从...出来 (cóng... chūlái) - "exit from..."
- 走到 (zǒu dào) - "walk until/to"
- 然后 (ránhòu) - "then" (for sequencing instructions)
- 栋 (dòng) - measure word for buildings
- 就到了 (jiù dào le) - "will arrive" (就 = "then/just", 了 = completion)
🗣️ Pronunciation Alert: Don't confuse 楼 (lóu - building/floor) with 路 (lù - road)! The tones are different.
Example 4: Mini-Story - Lost in Shanghai 🌃
A Complete Narrative Using All Vocabulary:
李明是美国人。今天，他在上海旅游。他想去东方明珠塔，但是他不知道怎么走。
(Lǐ Míng shì Měiguórén. Jīntiān, tā zài Shànghǎi lǚyóu. Tā xiǎng qù Dōngfāng Míngzhū Tǎ, dànshì tā bù zhīdào zěnme zǒu.)
Li Ming is American. Today, he's traveling in Shanghai. He wants to go to the Oriental Pearl Tower, but he doesn't know how to get there.
他看见一个女孩儿在书店的外面。他问她："请问，东方明珠塔在哪儿？离这儿远吗？"
(Tā kànjiàn yí gè nǚháir zài shūdiàn de wàimiàn. Tā wèn tā: "Qǐngwèn, Dōngfāng Míngzhū Tǎ zài nǎr? Lí zhèr yuǎn ma?")
He sees a girl outside a bookstore. He asks her: "Excuse me, where is the Oriental Pearl Tower? Is it far from here?"
女孩儿说："有点儿远。你先往前走到红绿灯，然后左转。你会看见一个很大的公交车站。你在那儿坐81路公交车。"
(Nǚháir shuō: "Yǒudiǎnr yuǎn. Nǐ xiān wǎng qián zǒu dào hónglǜdēng, ránhòu zuǒ zhuǎn. Nǐ huì kànjiàn yí gè hěn dà de gōngjiāochēzhàn. Nǐ zài nàr zuò 81 lù gōngjiāochē.")
The girl says: "It's a bit far. First go straight ahead to the traffic light, then turn left. You'll see a very big bus stop. Take the No. 81 bus there."
李明说："谢谢你！公交车站在红绿灯的旁边吗？"
(Lǐ Míng shuō: "Xièxie nǐ! Gōngjiāochēzhàn zài hónglǜdēng de pángbiān ma?")
Li Ming says: "Thank you! Is the bus stop beside the traffic light?"
"对！就在那儿。祝你玩儿得愉快！"
("Duì! Jiù zài nàr. Zhù nǐ wánr de yúkuài!")
"Right! It's right there. Have a pleasant time!"
李明很高兴。现在他知道怎么走了！
(Lǐ Míng hěn gāoxìng. Xiànzài tā zhīdào zěnme zǒu le!)
Li Ming is very happy. Now he knows how to get there!
New Vocabulary in Story:
- 旅游 (lǚyóu) - travel/tour
- 但是 (dànshì) - but
- 知道 (zhīdào) - know
- 看见 (kànjiàn) - see
- 先 (xiān) - first
- 会 (huì) - will
- 坐 (zuò) - take (transportation)
- 祝你玩儿得愉快 (zhù nǐ wánr de yúkuài) - Have fun! (common farewell)
⚠️ Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Confusing 在 (zài) and 有 (yǒu)
❌ Wrong: 这儿有地铁站吗？银行有第二个街。
✅ Correct: 这儿有地铁站吗？银行在第二个街。
Explanation:
- 有 (yǒu) = "there is/have" (existence)
- 在 (zài) = "is at/located at" (location)
Use 有 when asking if something exists somewhere.
Use 在 when stating where something is located.
Mistake 2: Forgetting Measure Words with Buildings
❌ Wrong: 我住在三楼
✅ Correct: 我住在第三栋楼的三楼
Explanation: When referring to "which building," use 第 + number + 栋 (dì + number + dòng). For floors, you can say just the number + 楼.
Mistake 3: Wrong Word Order with Position Words
❌ Wrong: 银行旁边的邮局在
✅ Correct: 邮局在银行的旁边
Explanation: Chinese follows Subject + 在 + Location order. The position word comes at the end of the location phrase.
Mistake 4: Mixing Up 哪儿 (nǎr) and 那儿 (nàr)
❌ Wrong: 超市在那儿？(statement, not question)
✅ Correct: 超市在哪儿？(question)
Explanation:
- 哪儿 (nǎr) = "where" (question word, 3rd tone)
- 那儿 (nàr) = "there" (statement, 4th tone)
The tones make all the difference!
Mistake 5: Omitting 的 (de) Incorrectly
❌ Sometimes Wrong: 我家在学校北边 (can be ambiguous)
✅ Better: 我家在学校的北边
Explanation: While 的 can sometimes be omitted with position words, keeping it makes the sentence clearer, especially for learners. With compound position words (上面, 外面, etc.), 的 is usually kept.
💡 Key Takeaways
Essential Patterns to Master:
1️⃣ Asking Where: 请问，[place] 在哪儿？
2️⃣ Describing Location: [A] 在 [B] 的 + position word
3️⃣ Asking Distance: [A] 离 [B] 远吗？
4️⃣ Giving Directions: Direction verb + reference point + 然后 + next action
5️⃣ Expressing Time Distance: 走路 + [number] 分钟
Critical Position Words:
- 旁边 (pángbiān) - beside
- 对面 (duìmiàn) - opposite
- 中间 (zhōngjiān) - between/middle
- 附近 (fùjìn) - nearby
- 里面/外面 (lǐmiàn/wàimiàn) - inside/outside
Direction Commands:
- 一直走 (yìzhí zǒu) - go straight
- 左转/右转 (zuǒ zhuǎn/yòu zhuǎn) - turn left/right
- 过 (guò) - pass/cross
🎯 HSK Exam Tip: HSK 2-3 tests frequently ask you to match directions with maps, or complete dialogues about finding locations. Practice drawing simple maps and describing routes!
🔧 Try This: Practice Exercise
Draw a simple map of your neighborhood on paper. Label 5-7 locations in Chinese (your home 我家, a store 商店, a park 公园, etc.). Practice giving directions from one point to another out loud:
Example:
从我家到公园：出门往左转，一直走到红绿灯，然后右转。公园就在右边。
📚 Further Study
- Yoyo Chinese - Directions Lesson: https://www.yoyochinese.com/chinese-learning-tools/Mandarin-Chinese-pronunciation-lesson/direction-words
- ChinesePod - Getting Around Town: https://chinesepod.com/lessons/getting-around-town
- HSK 2 Vocabulary List: https://www.digmandarin.com/hsk-2-vocabulary-list.html
📋 Quick Reference Card
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ DIRECTIONS & LOCATIONS ║
║ 方向和位置 CHEAT SHEET ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ASKING QUESTIONS: ║
║ 请问，...在哪儿？ - Excuse me, where is...? ║
║ ...怎么走？ - How do I get to...? ║
║ 离这儿远吗？ - Is it far from here? ║
║ 走路要多长时间？ - How long walking? ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ DIRECTION COMMANDS: ║
║ 一直走 - go straight ║
║ 往前/后/左/右走 - go forward/back/left/right ║
║ 左转/右转 - turn left/right ║
║ 过 - pass/cross ║
║ 到 - arrive at/reach ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ POSITION WORDS: ║
║ 旁边 pángbiān - beside ║
║ 对面 duìmiàn - opposite ║
║ 中间 zhōngjiān - between/middle ║
║ 附近 fùjìn - nearby ║
║ 里面/外面 lǐmiàn/wàimiàn - inside/outside ║
║ 前面/后面 qiánmiàn/hòumiàn - front/back ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ LOCATION PATTERN: ║
║ [A] 在 [B] 的 + position word ║
║ Example: 银行在邮局的旁边 ║
║ (The bank is beside the post office) ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ DISTANCE PATTERN: ║
║ [A] 离 [B] + distance expression ║
║ Example: 学校离这儿很近 ║
║ (The school is very close to here) ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ KEY LANDMARKS: ║
║ 地铁站 dìtiězhàn - subway station ║
║ 公交车站 gōngjiāochēzhàn - bus stop ║
║ 红绿灯 hónglǜdēng - traffic light ║
║ 十字路口 shízì lùkǒu - intersection ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Congratulations! 🎉 You've completed Lesson 5. You can now navigate Chinese cities, ask for directions, and describe locations with confidence. Practice these patterns daily, and soon giving and receiving directions will become second nature. 加油！(Jiāyóu - Keep it up!)