In this workshop you will practice a short, useful exchange in Chinese: asking where the post office is, understanding a simple location answer, and asking what time it closes. You will use the recorded lines, choose the right reply, and then recall the exchange with the roles switched. The goal is to speak clearly and respond appropriately, not to memorize grammar rules.
Asking Where the Post Office Is
Start with the key question. The recorded line «邮局在哪儿？» means “Where is the post office?” A second recording, also written «邮局在哪儿？», is the southern variant pronounced yóujú zài nǎlǐ; it has the same meaning but a different pronunciation. When you ask this in a real situation, begin with a polite attention-getter. The recorded dialogue line «请问，邮局在哪儿？» means “Excuse me, where is the post office?” Notice that the polite opening comes first, then the question. Practice saying «请问，邮局在哪儿？» slowly, then at a natural speed. Keep your tone even and friendly. You can use this question when you are standing on a street, inside a building, or near a map. The important speaking habit is to say the whole line clearly, not just the last word.
Understanding the Location Reply
After you ask, listen for a short answer. The recorded line «邮局在这儿。» means “The post office is here.” The recorded line «邮局在那儿。» means “The post office is there.” These two replies are close in sound, so listen for the difference between “here” and “there.” A fuller reply is «邮局在那儿，前面。», which means “The post office is there, ahead.” This tells you that the post office is there and ahead of you. When you hear «邮局在那儿，前面。», you can look ahead and continue walking. Do not confuse a location word with an instruction to turn. In this exchange, the reply tells you where the post office is, not how to move your body. Practice repeating «邮局在这儿。», «邮局在那儿。», and «邮局在那儿，前面。» after the recording, then cover the text and say each one from memory.
Asking About Closing Time
A useful follow-up is to ask when the post office closes. The recorded dialogue line «谢谢。邮局几点关门？» means “Thank you. What time does the post office close?” This line combines thanks with a new question, so it is a natural next step after you receive directions. The recorded reply «五点关门。» means “It closes at five.” Listen for the time at the end. When you practice «谢谢。邮局几点关门？», say the thanks first, then the question. When you practice «五点关门。», keep the time clear and easy to hear. You can use this pair after someone tells you where the post office is. The exchange stays polite and simple: ask, listen, thank, and ask one more question.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
邮局在哪儿？
Where is the post office?
yóujú zài nǎr
邮局在哪儿？
Where is the post office?
yóujú zài nǎlǐ
邮局在这儿。
The post office is here.
yóujú zài zhèr
邮局在那儿。
The post office is there.
yóujú zài nàr
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
请问，邮局在哪儿？
Excuse me, where is the post office?邮局在那儿，前面。
The post office is there, ahead.谢谢。邮局几点关门？
Thank you. What time does the post office close?五点关门。
It closes at five.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 Respond
You will practice a short exchange with a partner. One person asks for the post office; the other gives a location reply. Then switch roles.
Your task: Speaker A says «请问，邮局在哪儿？». Speaker B replies with «邮局在那儿，前面。». Speaker A then says «谢谢。邮局几点关门？». Speaker B replies with «五点关门。». After one round, switch roles and repeat the same order: question, reply, follow-up question, reply.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Answer
You will hear or read a question and choose the reply that matches it. The questions and replies come from the recorded lines.
Your task: Question 1: Someone says «请问，邮局在哪儿？». Which reply fits: «邮局在那儿，前面。» or «五点关门。»? Question 2: Someone says «谢谢。邮局几点关门？». Which reply fits: «邮局在那儿，前面。» or «五点关门。»? Say your choice aloud, then say the full reply line.
Recall with Correct Roles
You will recall the exchange from memory with a partner. One person plays the asker and the other plays the responder. Then you swap roles, but the order of the exchange stays the same.
Your task: Without looking at the text, Speaker A says the polite question «请问，邮局在哪儿？». Speaker B gives the location reply «邮局在那儿，前面。». Speaker A says the follow-up «谢谢。邮局几点关门？». Speaker B gives the closing-time reply «五点关门。». Then swap roles and repeat the same order.
Common questions
Can I practice this exchange alone without a partner?
Yes. Play each recorded line and repeat it aloud. Then say both roles in order: first the question «请问，邮局在哪儿？», then the reply «邮局在那儿，前面。», then the follow-up «谢谢。邮局几点关门？», then the final reply «五点关门。». You can also record yourself and listen back to check that the order is correct.
What should I listen for in the location reply?
Listen for the difference between “here” and “there.” The recorded line «邮局在这儿。» means “The post office is here,” while «邮局在那儿。» means “The post office is there.” The fuller reply «邮局在那儿，前面。» means “The post office is there, ahead.” These tell you where the post office is, not how to turn.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: ask for a post officeChecked September 2026
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