In this workshop you will practice a short, realistic exchange: getting a stranger's attention, asking whether a supermarket is near, understanding a yes or no answer, and asking where it is. You will hear recorded model lines and then speak them yourself in guided and recall tasks. The recordings give you the exact wording to imitate, so you can focus on clear pronunciation and natural rhythm rather than building sentences from scratch.
Getting attention and asking a yes/no question
A polite approach starts by getting the person's attention, then asking your question. The recorded line «请问，这附近有超市吗？» means "Excuse me, is there a supermarket near here?" The opening words are used to politely get a stranger's attention, and the rest asks whether a supermarket exists near your current location. A shorter version of the same question is «这附近有超市吗？», which means "Is there a supermarket near here?" You can use «这附近有超市吗？» when you have already caught the person's attention or when the situation is casual. Practice both lines aloud, keeping your tone even and friendly. The question is a yes/no question, so the reply you should expect is either a confirmation or a denial, not a location.
Understanding yes and no replies
When you ask «这附近有超市吗？» or «请问，这附近有超市吗？», the person may confirm or deny. The recorded reply «有，就在前面。» means "Yes, it's just ahead." This confirms that a supermarket exists nearby and adds that it is a short distance in front of you. The recorded reply «没有。» means "No, there isn't." This denies that a supermarket is near. Listen for the first word of the reply: it tells you immediately whether to keep listening for a location or to thank the person and ask someone else. Do not assume a location will follow a negative reply. If you hear «没有。», you can politely end the exchange and try another person.
Asking where it is and understanding directions
If the answer is yes, your next step is to ask for the location. The recorded line «超市在哪儿？» means "Where is the supermarket?" Use it right after a confirming reply such as «有，就在前面。». The recorded answer «一直走，在右边。» means "Go straight, it's on the right." The first part tells you to continue forward without turning. The second part tells you the supermarket is located on your right-hand side. Notice that this is a location on the right, not an instruction to turn right. Listen for the difference between continuing forward and changing direction. After hearing «一直走，在右边。», you can thank the person and walk forward while looking to your right.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
这附近有超市吗？
Is there a supermarket near here?
Zhè fùjìn yǒu chāoshì ma?
超市在哪儿？
Where is the supermarket?
Chāoshì zài nǎr?
有，就在前面。
Yes, it's just ahead.
Yǒu, jiù zài qiánmiàn.
没有。
No, there isn't.
Méiyǒu.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
请问，这附近有超市吗？
Excuse me, is there a supermarket near here?有，就在前面。
Yes, it's just ahead.超市在哪儿？
Where is the supermarket?一直走，在右边。
Go straight, it's on the right.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 confirm
You are standing on a street and want to find a supermarket. A friendly stranger is nearby. You will play the person asking. Use the recorded lines as your model.
Your task: First, get the stranger's attention and ask your question using the recorded line «请问，这附近有超市吗？». Then listen to the recorded reply «有，就在前面。». After that, ask for the location using the recorded line «超市在哪儿？». Finally, listen to the recorded answer «一直走，在右边。». Speak each of your two lines aloud, copying the recording as closely as you can.
Reply comprehension: yes or no
You ask whether a supermarket is near. You will hear one recorded reply. Your job is to decide whether it confirms or denies, and then choose the correct next step.
Your task: Listen to the recorded reply «没有。». Decide whether it means a supermarket is near or not near. Then choose the correct next step: (a) ask where the supermarket is using «超市在哪儿？», or (b) politely end the exchange and ask someone else. Say your choice aloud and explain it in one sentence.
Recall with correct roles
You will now rebuild the whole exchange from memory. One learner can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so check yourself against the recordings afterward.
Your task: Without looking at the lines, say the four parts of the exchange in order: the attention-getting question, the confirming reply, the location question, and the directions. Then play the recordings «请问，这附近有超市吗？», «有，就在前面。», «超市在哪儿？», and «一直走，在右边。» and compare your version with each one. Finally, swap roles and say the two reply parts from memory.
Common questions
Can I use the shorter question «这附近有超市吗？» instead of «请问，这附近有超市吗？»?
Yes. «这附近有超市吗？» means "Is there a supermarket near here?" and «请问，这附近有超市吗？» means "Excuse me, is there a supermarket near here?" The difference is the polite attention-getting opening. Use «请问，这附近有超市吗？» when you need to get a stranger's attention first, and «这附近有超市吗？» when the person is already listening to you.
What should I do if I hear the negative reply «没有。»?
«没有。» means "No, there isn't." It denies that a supermarket is near, so there is no location to ask about. Politely end the exchange and ask another person using «请问，这附近有超市吗？» or «这附近有超市吗？». Do not follow «没有。» with the location question «超市在哪儿？», because that question expects a place to be named.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: ask for a supermarketChecked September 2026
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