In this workshop you will practise asking for a taxi in Chinese and understanding a short direction reply. You will hear the question lines first, learn what each one means in English, then use them in three short speaking tasks. The recordings give you the exact lines to say, so you can repeat them aloud and check yourself after each task.
Asking Where a Taxi Is
Start with the question lines. «请问，出租车在哪儿？» means "Excuse me, where is a taxi?" It is a polite way to stop someone and ask about a taxi. «出租车站在哪儿？» means "Where is the taxi stand?" Use this when you want the place where taxis wait. «我在哪儿可以打车？» means "Where can I hail a taxi?" This asks where you can get a taxi to stop for you. «附近有出租车吗？» means "Is there a taxi nearby?" This is a yes-or-no question about a taxi close to you. Say each line slowly, then a little faster. Keep your voice calm and friendly.
Understanding a Short Reply
Now listen to a short exchange. «请问，出租车在哪儿？» is the polite question, asked by one speaker. «一直走，然后左转。» answers it and means "Go straight, then turn left." This reply tells you two movements: first go straight, then turn left. It does not name a place on the left; it tells you to turn left. In another exchange, «附近有出租车吗？» asks "Is there a taxi nearby?" and «有，在前面。» answers "Yes, it's ahead." Here "ahead" means in front of you, along the way you are facing. Listen for the yes at the start of the answer, then the position word.
Practising Both Roles
You can play both roles with the audio. First, read the question lines aloud while the audio plays the reply. Then swap: play the question and say the reply yourself. When you swap roles, the order of the exchange stays the same. The question still comes first, then the reply. Do not start with the reply. After you say a line, compare it with the recording and repeat if needed. Short, clear speech is enough. You do not need to add new words.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
请问，出租车在哪儿？
Excuse me, where is a taxi?
qǐngwèn, chūzūchē zài nǎr?
出租车站在哪儿？
Where is the taxi stand?
chūzūchē zhàn zài nǎr?
我在哪儿可以打车？
Where can I hail a taxi?
wǒ zài nǎr kěyǐ dǎ chē?
附近有出租车吗？
Is there a taxi nearby?
fùjìn yǒu chūzūchē ma?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
请问，出租车在哪儿？
Excuse me, where is a taxi?一直走，然后左转。
Go straight, then turn left.附近有出租车吗？
Is there a taxi nearby?有，在前面。
Yes, it's ahead.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Taxi Question Exchange
You are a visitor on a street and you need a taxi. A local person is standing nearby. Use the recorded question lines and the recorded reply.
Your task: Say «请问，出租车在哪儿？» aloud as your question. Then play «一直走，然后左转。» and listen. Say «一直走，然后左转。» aloud yourself as the reply. Repeat the pair two more times, keeping the question first and the reply second.
Choose the Matching Reply
You hear someone ask a yes-or-no question about a taxi nearby. You must choose the reply that matches the recording.
Your task: Read «附近有出租车吗？». It means "Is there a taxi nearby?" Now choose the matching reply: A) «有，在前面。», which means "Yes, it's ahead." B) «一直走，然后左转。», which means "Go straight, then turn left." Say your chosen line aloud.
Recall the Exchange with Correct Roles
You will recall one full exchange from memory. One role asks the question, and the other role gives the reply.
Your task: First, play the role of the asker: say «请问，出租车在哪儿？» aloud. Then play the role of the responder: say «一直走，然后左转。» aloud. After that, swap roles with a partner or the audio. The asker still asks first, and the responder still replies second.
Common questions
Can I use these lines if I only need to know whether a taxi is close by?
Yes. Use «附近有出租车吗？» to ask whether a taxi is nearby. It is a yes-or-no question, and «有，在前面。» shows a simple yes answer with a position: "Yes, it's ahead."
What should I listen for in the direction reply?
Listen for the two movements in «一直走，然后左转。»: go straight, then turn left. The reply tells you to turn left; it does not say that a place is on the left. Keep the question first, then the reply.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: ask for a taxi standChecked September 2026
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