In this workshop you practise a short, realistic exchange in Chinese. You will ask where the swimming pool is, understand a simple direction, and ask what time the pool opens and closes. The native lines are supplied as recordings, so you can listen and repeat before you try the tasks. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so use the answer keys to check yourself.
Asking where the pool is
Start with the key question. «游泳池在哪里？» means "Where is the swimming pool?" It is a direct question you can use when you are already talking to someone. A more polite opening adds an attention phrase at the front: «请问，游泳池在哪儿？» means "Excuse me, where is the swimming pool?" Use the polite version when you approach a stranger. Listen to the recording, then repeat it slowly. Keep the question short and clear. When you speak, look at the person and use a rising question intonation if you are unsure. Do not add extra words you have not practised; the recorded line is enough.
Understanding a simple direction
After you ask, the other person may give a short direction. «一直走，然后左转。» means "Go straight, then turn left." This is an instruction to move, not a description of a place on the left. Listen for the two actions in order: first go straight, then turn left. If you hear this, you can follow it step by step. In a real setting, you might also hear a location described, such as something being on the right, but that is different from being told to turn right. For this workshop, practise only the recorded direction. Repeat it after the audio and picture yourself walking straight, then turning left.
Asking about opening and closing times
Once you know where the pool is, you may want to know when it is open. «游泳池几点开门？» means "What time does the swimming pool open?" «游泳池几点关门？» means "What time does the swimming pool close?" These two questions keep the same subject, the swimming pool, and ask about two different times. A possible reply is «早上八点开门，晚上九点关门。», which means "It opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m." Notice that the reply gives both times in one sentence. When you practise, ask one question at a time, then listen for the matching time. You can also combine a thank-you with a time question, as in «谢谢！游泳池几点开门？», which means "Thank you! What time does the swimming pool open?"
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
游泳池在哪里？
Where is the swimming pool?
Yóuyǒngchí zài nǎlǐ?
请问，游泳池在哪儿？
Excuse me, where is the swimming pool?
Qǐngwèn, yóuyǒngchí zài nǎr?
游泳池几点开门？
What time does the swimming pool open?
Yóuyǒngchí jǐ diǎn kāimén?
游泳池几点关门？
What time does the swimming pool close?
Yóuyǒngchí jǐ diǎn guānmén?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
请问，游泳池在哪里？
Excuse me, where is the swimming pool?一直走，然后左转。
Go straight, then turn left.谢谢！游泳池几点开门？
Thank you! What time does the swimming pool open?早上八点开门，晚上九点关门。
It opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m.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 follow the direction
You are standing near a sports centre. You want to find the swimming pool. A staff member is nearby. Use the recorded lines to guide your speaking.
Your task: First, say the polite question «请问，游泳池在哪儿？» to ask where the swimming pool is. Then listen to the reply «一直走，然后左转。». Repeat the direction out loud. Finally, say «谢谢！游泳池几点开门？» to thank the person and ask what time the pool opens.
Reply comprehension: choose the matching answer
You hear a question and need to choose the reply that matches it. The replies are from the recordings.
Your task: Question: «游泳池几点开门？» What time does the swimming pool open? Choose the matching reply: A. «一直走，然后左转。» Go straight, then turn left. B. «早上八点开门，晚上九点关门。» It opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. C. «游泳池几点关门？» What time does the swimming pool close?
Recall with correct roles
You will now recall the whole exchange without looking at the lines. One person asks, the other replies. You can use the audio to check yourself.
Your task: Role A: ask where the swimming pool is using «请问，游泳池在哪儿？». Role B: give the direction «一直走，然后左转。». Role A: thank the person and ask the opening time using «谢谢！游泳池几点开门？». Role B: give the times using «早上八点开门，晚上九点关门。». Say your lines in that order.
Common questions
Can I use «游泳池在哪里？» instead of «请问，游泳池在哪儿？»?
Yes. «游泳池在哪里？» means "Where is the swimming pool?" and «请问，游泳池在哪儿？» means "Excuse me, where is the swimming pool?" The second one adds a polite opening, so it is useful with strangers. Both ask the same basic question.
What if I only need the closing time?
Use «游泳池几点关门？», which means "What time does the swimming pool close?" The reply «早上八点开门，晚上九点关门。» gives both opening and closing times, so you can listen for the closing time at the end.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: ask for a swimming poolChecked September 2026
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