Chinese for Following Directions: Turn Left, Turn Right, Go Straight
Learn to understand spoken directions in Mandarin: turn left, turn right, go straight, and cross the road. Includes key phrases, a practical dialogue, and practice for beginners.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When someone gives you directions in Chinese, you need to catch the key words quickly: left, right, straight, and cross. This lesson focuses on understanding those spoken instructions, not on producing complex directions yourself. You will learn to recognize the core pattern '往 + direction + 走' (walk toward...), ask for repetition politely, and follow a simple route. By the end, you should be able to hear '往右拐' and know to turn right, or '一直走' and continue straight. The phrases and dialogue use everyday situations like finding a bank or crossing a street, so you can practice listening and responding in real time.
By the end, you can…
- understand and follow spoken directions involving left, right, straight, and crossing the road.
- ask someone to repeat or clarify directions politely in Mandarin.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
往左拐
Turn left
wǎng zuǒ guǎi
Use when someone tells you to make a left turn. 往 means 'toward', 左 is 'left', 拐 is 'turn'.
往右拐
Turn right
wǎng yòu guǎi
The counterpart to 往左拐. 右 is 'right'. Often heard at intersections.
一直走
Go straight
yì zhí zǒu
Means continue straight ahead without turning. 一直 means 'straight/continuously', 走 is 'walk/go'.
过马路
Cross the road
guò mǎ lù
过 means 'cross', 马路 is 'road'. Used when you need to cross to the other side.
请再说一遍
Please say it again
qǐng zài shuō yí biàn
Polite way to ask for repetition when you didn't catch the directions.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The most common pattern for giving directions is 往 + direction + 走/拐. For example, 往左走 (wǎng zuǒ zǒu) means 'walk to the left', while 往右拐 (wǎng yòu guǎi) means 'turn right'. You can also use 一直走 (yì zhí zǒu) for 'go straight'. To tell someone to cross, use 过马路 (guò mǎ lù). These patterns do not change with the subject, so they are easy to recognize. Listen for the direction word after 往: 左 (left), 右 (right), 前 (front), 后 (back).
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are listening to directions, not when you are giving them. If someone says 往右拐, you should turn right at the next opportunity. If they say 一直走, keep going straight until they tell you otherwise. When you hear 过马路, you need to cross the street. If you miss part of the instruction, say 请再说一遍 (qǐng zài shuō yí biàn) to ask for a repeat. In a busy street, it is normal to ask for clarification; people will usually repeat more slowly.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
请问，银行怎么走？
Excuse me, how do I get to the bank?Qǐng wèn, yín háng zěn me zǒu?一直走，然后往右拐。
Go straight, then turn right.Yì zhí zǒu, rán hòu wǎng yòu guǎi.要过马路吗？
Do I need to cross the road?Yào guò mǎ lù ma?对，过马路，银行在左边。
Yes, cross the road, the bank is on the left.Duì, guò mǎ lù, yín háng zài zuǒ biān.A little context goes a long way
In mainland China, directions are often given using landmarks and relative positions. Saying 请再说一遍 is polite and common. When asking for directions, start with 请问 (qǐng wèn) to be courteous. Tones are crucial: 左 (zuǒ) and 右 (yòu) are distinct, and mixing them up can send you the wrong way. In Taiwan, you may hear 左轉 (zuǒ zhuǎn) and 右轉 (yòu zhuǎn) for 'turn left/right', but the pattern remains similar.
One thing to watch for
Using 拐 (guǎi) for 'go straight' instead of 走 (zǒu).
Try this instead: 拐 means 'turn', so 往左拐 is 'turn left', not 'go left'. For 'go straight', use 一直走 (yì zhí zǒu). Example: 一直走，不要拐 (Go straight, don't turn).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1What does 往右拐 mean?
Show a sample answer
Turn right.
往 means 'toward', 右 is 'right', and 拐 means 'turn'. So 往右拐 is 'turn right'. You could also hear 向右拐, which is a valid alternative.
2How would you ask someone to repeat directions?
Show a sample answer
请再说一遍。
This is a polite and clear way to ask for repetition. You could also say 请再说一次, which is equally acceptable.
3If someone says 一直走，然后过马路, what should you do?
Show a sample answer
Go straight, then cross the road.
一直走 means 'go straight', 然后 means 'then', and 过马路 means 'cross the road'. This is a common sequence in directions.
Focus on catching the direction words after 往 and the verb 走 or 拐. When you hear 过马路, prepare to cross. If you miss something, politely ask 请再说一遍. Practice listening to these patterns until they become automatic.
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