How to Ask for Directions in Mandarin
In brief
To ask for directions in Mandarin, open politely with 请问 (qǐngwèn), name the place and ask where it is: 请问，地铁站在哪儿？ Then confirm what you heard with a short question such as 往前走吗？ or 右转，对吗？ Confirmation is essential because understanding the reply is often harder than asking the first question.
By Hanlo · Updated 30 July 2026 · Independent Mandarin review pending
Directions practice
Ask where the station is and confirm left or right.
请问，地铁站在哪儿？
Excuse me, where is the subway station?
往前走吗？
Should I go straight ahead?
右转，对吗？
So I turn right, is that correct?
- Why this works
- 请问 softens the opening, while 对吗 turns the direction you heard into a quick confirmation question.
- Try it aloud
- Ask for the station. After hearing “往前走，然后右转”, confirm the right turn before ending the exchange.
Using this guidance
- Useful for
- Beginner travelers who need to ask for a station and confirm one simple direction.
- How Hanlo applies it
- Hanlo turns the question and likely response into a short two-role speaking drill with one changed turn.
- Watch for
- Do not stop after memorizing the opening question; prepare to recognize and confirm the direction in the reply.
- Limit
- Real directions may include landmarks or vocabulary beyond this beginner drill; show the destination in writing when needed.
The three-part pattern
Use a polite opener, the destination and a location question. Then listen for the first direction and repeat it back as a yes-or-no question.
- 请问… — Excuse me / may I ask…
- 地铁站在哪儿？ — Where is the subway station?
- 右转，对吗？ — So I turn right, is that correct?
Listen for direction words
往前走 means go forward, 左转 means turn left and 右转 means turn right. You do not need to understand every word before confirming the key direction.
Practice one changed condition
Repeat the exchange with 左转 instead of 右转, or replace 地铁站 with 火车站 for railway station. The sentence frame stays stable while one useful detail changes.
Questions
How do I say “Where is the subway station?” in Mandarin?
Say 请问，地铁站在哪儿？ (Qǐngwèn, dìtiě zhàn zài nǎr?) for “Excuse me, where is the subway station?”
How do I confirm a right turn in Mandarin?
Say 右转，对吗？ (Yòu zhuǎn, duì ma?) meaning “So I turn right, is that correct?”
What reply should I listen for?
Common direction words include 往前走 for go straight ahead, 左转 for turn left and 右转 for turn right.
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