In this workshop you practise a short, realistic exchange: you stop someone, ask where the public library is, listen to a simple direction, thank them, and ask one more question about wifi. You will speak both roles, so you always know what the other person says. The recordings give you the exact lines for this exchange, and each task has an answer or self-check so you can confirm what you said and heard.
Asking the first question
Start with a polite opener when you approach a stranger. The line «请问，公共图书馆在哪里？» means "Excuse me, where is the public library?" The first part gets attention; the rest asks for the place you want. If you prefer a shorter question, «公共图书馆在哪里？» means "Where is the public library?" and «图书馆在哪儿？» means "Where is the library?" Both ask for the same building, but «图书馆在哪儿？» leaves out "public." Say the question slowly, keep your voice friendly, and look at the person. Do not add extra words you have not practised; the recorded lines are enough for this exchange.
Understanding the direction reply
A common answer is «一直走，然后右转。», which means "Go straight, then turn right." This is an instruction to move, not a description of a place on your right. First you continue forward, then you turn. Listen for the order: the going straight comes before the turn. If you hear this reply, you can thank the person and then ask your follow-up question. The reply does not name a street or a distance, so do not expect those details here.
Asking about wifi and hearing the answer
After you thank the person, you can ask one more thing. The line «谢谢。图书馆有Wi-Fi吗？» means "Thank you. Does the library have wifi?" It combines your thanks with a new question about the library. The answer «有，免费。» means "Yes, it's free." So the library has wifi and you do not pay for it. When you hear this, you have the information you need. Practise the question and the answer together so the pair feels natural.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
公共图书馆在哪里？
Where is the public library?
gōng gòng tú shū guǎn zài nǎ lǐ?
图书馆在哪儿？
Where is the library?
tú shū guǎn zài nǎr?
图书馆有Wi-Fi吗？
Does the library have wifi?
tú shū guǎn yǒu Wi-Fi ma?
有，免费。
Yes, it's free.
yǒu, miǎn fèi.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
请问，公共图书馆在哪里？
Excuse me, where is the public library?一直走，然后右转。
Go straight, then turn right.谢谢。图书馆有Wi-Fi吗？
Thank you. Does the library have wifi?有，免费。
Yes, it's free.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: ask and answer
You are on the street and want the public library. A passer-by is willing to help. Play both roles: first the person asking, then the person answering.
Your task: Read the asking role aloud using «请问，公共图书馆在哪里？». Then switch roles and read the reply aloud using «一直走，然后右转。». After that, read the asking role again using «谢谢。图书馆有Wi-Fi吗？», and finish by reading the reply using «有，免费。». Keep the order: question, direction reply, thank-you plus wifi question, wifi answer.
Reply comprehension: choose the matching answer
You hear a short reply and must decide what it means. The reply is «一直走，然后右转。». Read it once, then look at the choices below.
Your task: Choose the meaning that matches «一直走，然后右转。». A: The library is on your right. B: Go straight, then turn right. C: The library has free wifi. Say your choice aloud, then say the reply «一直走，然后右转。» again in your own voice.
Recall with correct roles
Now you remember the exchange without reading every line. One person asks for the library and later asks about wifi; the other person gives the direction and the wifi answer.
Your task: With a partner, or by switching roles yourself, rebuild the exchange in this order: ask where the public library is using «请问，公共图书馆在哪里？»; reply with the direction using «一直走，然后右转。»; thank the person and ask about wifi using «谢谢。图书馆有Wi-Fi吗？»; answer with «有，免费。». Do not change who asks and who answers during the exchange.
Common questions
What does «一直走，然后右转。» tell me to do?
It tells you to go straight and then turn right. It is a movement instruction, so it is different from saying that something is located on your right. Follow the order: forward first, then turn.
What does «有，免费。» tell me about the wifi?
It tells you that the library has wifi and that it is free. After hearing it, you know both that wifi is available and that you do not pay for it.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: ask for a libraryChecked September 2026
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