A Complete Guide to 51 Different Directions in Chinese

Directions in Chinese

Navigating a new city or country can be daunting, but knowing how to ask for directions can make all the difference.

Whether you’re traveling, living abroad, or simply learning the language, understanding basic directional words in Chinese is an essential skill.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through the key phrases and vocabulary you need to confidently find your way around.

From basic directional terms and describing locations to asking for directions and navigating public transportation, we’ve got you covered.

By the end of this guide of 50+ key words and phrases, you’ll be ready to explore Chinese-speaking cities with ease!

⬇️⬇️ Don’t miss our Directions Quiz below ⬇️⬇️

Directions in Chinese || Basic Directional Words

Directions in Chinese || Describing Locations

Directions in Chinese || Asking for Directions

Directions in Chinese || Navigating Public Transportation

Directions in Chinese || FAQs

Want to unlock all the directions in Chinese now? Check out our video on YouTube!

1. Directions in Chinese || Basic Directional Words

First, let’s get to learn some essential words to describe directions. So you know what to say when you’re pointing somewhere.

➡️ (dōng) – East

tài yáng cóng dōng biān shēng qǐ

太阳从东边升起。

The sun rises in the east.

⬅️ 西 (xī) – West

tú shū guǎn zài xué xiào de xī biān

图书馆在学校的西边。

The library is on the west side of the school.

⬇️ (nán) – South

chāo shì zài jiē dào de nán biān

超市在街道的南边。

The supermarket is on the south side of the street.

⬆️ (běi) – North

běi biān yǒu yī gè hěn dà de gōng yuán

北边有一个很大的公园。

There’s a big park to the north.
Here’s how to avoid a common mistake when talking about directions in Chinese 🗺️

里面 (lǐ miàn) – Inside

cān tīng zài shāng chǎng lǐ miàn

餐厅在商场里面。

The restaurant is inside the mall.

外面 (wài miàn) – Outside

wài miàn zhèng zài xià yǔ

外面正在下雨。

It’s raining outside.

旁边 (páng biān) – Beside / Next to

yín háng zài chāo shì páng biān

银行在超市旁边。

The bank is next to the supermarket.

对面 (duì miàn) – Opposite / Across From

diàn yǐng yuàn jiù zài xué xiào duì miàn

电影院就在学校对面。

The cinema is right across from the school.

2. Directions in Chinese || Describing Locations

There are certain occasions when you describe something not in a specific place but in the surrounding environment and its relations.

So you can use these words. 

尽头 (jìn tóu) – End of

zài zhè tiáo lù de jìn tóu zuǒ zhuǎn

在这条路的尽头左转。

Turn left at the end of this road.

附近 (fù jìn) – Nearby

wǒ men jiù zài fù jìn

我们就在附近。

We’re just nearby.

中间 (zhōng jiān) – In the middle

shāng chǎng zài zhè liǎng gè jiàn zhù de zhōng jiān

商场在这两个建筑的中间。

The mall is in the middle of these two buildings.

周围 (zhōu wéi) – Around / Surrounding

xué xiào zhōu wéi yǒu hěn duō cān guǎn

学校周围有很多餐馆。

There are many restaurants around the school.

角落 (jiǎo luò) – Corner

māo duǒ zài fáng jiān de jiǎo luò lǐ

猫躲在房间的角落里。

The cat is hiding in the corner of the room.
The Complete Guide to Countries & Capitals in Chinese Thumbnail

The Complete Guide to Countries & Capitals in Chinese

You may know how to say China in Chinese but what about other countries? Let’s learn how to name all the countries and their capital cities in Chinese.

上面 (shàng miàn) – Above / On top of

shū zài zhuō zi shàng miàn

书在桌子上面。

The book is on top of the table.

下面 (xià miàn) – Below / Underneath

māo zài yǐ zi xià miàn

猫在椅子下面。

The cat is underneath the chair.

两旁 (liǎng páng) – On both sides

zhè tiáo lù de liǎng páng dōu shì shù

这条路的两旁都是树。

There are trees on both sides of the road.

对角线 (duì jiǎo) – Diagonally

kā fēi guǎn zài chāo shì de duì jiǎo

咖啡馆在超市的对角。

The café is diagonally opposite the supermarket.

3. Directions in Chinese || Asking for Directions

Now you know how to describe directions. Here, you can learn some useful words to ask for directions in a complete sentence.

(qù) – To go

wǒ gāi zěn me qù huǒ chē zhàn

我该怎么去火车站?

How do I get to the train station?

(guò) – Cross

qǐng guò mǎ lù hòu xiàng yòu zǒu

请过马路后向右走。

Please cross the street and then turn right.

靠近 (kào jìn) – Near

zhè jiā kā fēi diàn kào jìn nǎr

这家咖啡店靠近哪儿?

Where is this café near?

在哪里 (zài nǎ lǐ) – Where is…?

qǐng wèn xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ

请问洗手间在哪里?

Excuse me, where is the restroom?

怎么走 (zěn me zǒu) – How to get there?

dào huǒ chē zhàn zěn me zǒu

到火车站怎么走?

How do I get to the train station?

(lí) – Away from

zhè lǐ lí zuì jìn de dì tiě zhàn yǒu duō yuǎn

这里离最近的地铁站有多远?

How far is the nearest subway station from here?

(wǎng) – Towards

wǎng qián zǒu, nǐ huì kàn dào yī gè hóng lǜ dēng

往前走,你会看到一个红绿灯。

Walk towards the front, and you’ll see a traffic light.

往哪边 (wǎng nǎ biān) – Toward which way?

qù bó wù guǎn wǎng nǎ biān zǒu

去博物馆往哪边走?

Which way do I go to get to the museum?

(guǎi) – Turn

qǐng zài qián miàn de hóng lǜ dēng chù zuǒ guǎi

请在前面的红绿灯处左拐。

Please turn left at the traffic light ahead.

走多远 (zǒu duō yuǎn) – How far to walk?

cóng zhè lǐ dào chāo shì yào zǒu duō yuǎn

从这里到超市要走多远?

How far do I need to walk to get to the supermarket from here?

沿着 (yán zhe) – Along

yán zhe zhè tiáo lù yī zhí zǒu

沿着这条路一直走。

Walk straight along this road.

4. Directions in Chinese || Navigating Public Transportation

It’s practical to learn some words to navigate public transportation as well. 

In the big cities in China, it’s very common to use subways or buses to get around. The system can be pretty complex, and these words will help you navigate without getting lost.

到达 (dào dá) – Arrive

huǒ chē shén me shí hòu dào dá běi jīng

火车什么时候到达北京?

When does the train arrive in Beijing?

出发 (chū fā) – Depart

dì tiě jǐ diǎn chū fā

地铁几点出发?

What time does the subway depart?

前往 (qián wǎng) – Head to

wǒ xiàn zài yào qián wǎng dì tiě zhàn

我现在要前往地铁站。

I’m heading to the subway station now.

经过 (jīng guò) – Pass through

zhè tiáo gōng jiāo xiàn lù huì jīng guò shì zhōng xīn ma

这条公交线路会经过市中心吗?

Does this bus route pass through the city center?

直达 (zhí dá) – Direct

yǒu qù jī chǎng de zhí dá chē ma

有去机场的直达车吗?

Is there a direct bus to the airport?

换乘 (huàn chéng) – Transfer

wǒ zài nǎ lǐ huàn chéng qù dì tiě sì hào xiàn

我在哪里换乘去地铁4号线?

Where do I transfer to Line 4 of the subway?

下一个 (xià yī gè) – Next

zài xià yī gè lù kǒu zuǒ zhuǎn

在下一个路口左转。

Turn left at the next intersection.

出口 (chū kǒu) – Exit

qǐng wèn dì tiě de chū kǒu zài nǎ lǐ

请问地铁的出口在哪里?

Excuse me, where is the subway exit?

上车 (shàng chē) – Get on the bus/train

nǐ kě yǐ zài zhè lǐ shàng chē

你可以在这里上车。

You can get on the bus/train here.

下车 (xià chē) – Get off the bus/train

zài dì sān zhàn xià chē

在第三站下车。

Get off at the third stop.

终点站 (zhōng diǎn zhàn) – Terminal station

zhè tàng chē de zhōng diǎn zhàn shì nǎ lǐ

这趟车的终点站是哪里?

Where is the terminal station for this route?

走过 (zǒu guò) – Walk past

zǒu guò liǎng gè lù kǒu jiù dào le

走过两个路口就到了。

Walk past two intersections and you’ll be there.

Voilà, here you go. Now, keep practicing with the words. If you can remember them all and use them smoothly, you will have no trouble getting anywhere in China.

Directions in Chinese – QUIZ

Welcome to our super quick Directions Quiz! Enter your First name and email to begin. Don't worry you can unsubscribe at any time!

直走 (zhí zǒu)

Next To

East

West

North

South

右边 (yòu biān)

向后走 (xiàng hòu zǒu)

Go Back

过 (guò)

向下 (xiàng xià)

向上 (xiàng shàng)

Stop

通过 (tōng guò)

左边 (zuǒ biān)

Across

BONUS || Why not check out how to say Directions in Japanese and Directions in Spanish!


Directions in Chinese || FAQs

How do you say Up in Chinese?

Up

xiàng shàng

向上

How do you say North in Chinese?

North

běi

How do you say Down in Chinese?

Down

xiàng xià

向下

How do you say South in Chinese?

South

nán

How do you say West in Chinese?

West

西

How do you say East in Chinese?

East

dōng

How do you say Left & Right in Chinese?

Left

zuǒ biān

左边

Right

yòu biān

右边

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