In this workshop, you will practice polite ways to get a stranger's attention and ask simple questions in Chinese. You will hear short recorded lines and use them in guided speaking tasks. The focus is on using phrases like 'láo jià' and 'bù hǎo yì si' to start a conversation, and 'qǐng wèn' to ask a question. You will also practice understanding a simple direction reply. This is active speaking practice, so try to say each line aloud. You can play both roles when you practice with the recordings.
Getting a Stranger's Attention Politely
To start a conversation with a stranger, you can use a polite attention-getter. One common phrase is «劳驾», which means 'Excuse me' or 'May I trouble you?'. It is formal and polite. Another useful phrase is «不好意思», which means 'Excuse me' or 'Sorry to bother you'. It is slightly more informal and very common. When you want to ask a question, you can add «请问», which means 'Excuse me, may I ask...?'. This softens your question. If you need to interrupt someone who is busy or talking, you can say «打扰一下», which means 'Sorry to interrupt'. Practice saying these phrases aloud. Pay attention to the tones. You can use them in many public places, such as a street, a station, or a shop.
Asking for Directions and Understanding a Reply
After getting attention, you can ask a simple question. For example, you might ask how to get to the subway station. A recorded example is «劳驾，请问，最近的地铁站怎么走？», which means 'Excuse me, may I ask, how do I get to the nearest subway station?'. Notice the order: first the attention-getter, then 'qǐng wèn', then the question. A possible reply is «一直往前走，然后左转。», which means 'Go straight ahead, then turn left.' Here, 'yī zhí wǎng qián zǒu' means 'go straight ahead', and 'zuǒ zhuǎn' means 'turn left'. Another example question is «不好意思，打扰一下，我想问一下，这附近有便利店吗？», which means 'Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, I'd like to ask, is there a convenience store nearby?'. A reply is «有，就在前面路口右转。», which means 'Yes, just turn right at the intersection ahead.' Here, 'yòu zhuǎn' means 'turn right'. When you hear a direction, listen for 'zuǒ zhuǎn' (turn left) or 'yòu zhuǎn' (turn right). Also listen for 'wǎng qián zǒu' (go forward). Practice repeating these lines and imagining the directions.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
劳驾
Excuse me (may I trouble you?)
láo jià
不好意思
Excuse me / Sorry to bother you
bù hǎo yì si
请问
Excuse me, may I ask...?
qǐng wèn
打扰一下
Sorry to interrupt
dǎ rǎo yī xià
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
劳驾，请问，最近的地铁站怎么走？
Excuse me, may I ask, how do I get to the nearest subway station?一直往前走，然后左转。
Go straight ahead, then turn left.不好意思，打扰一下，我想问一下，这附近有便利店吗？
Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, I'd like to ask, is there a convenience store nearby?有，就在前面路口右转。
Yes, just turn right at the intersection ahead.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 for the Subway Station
Imagine you are on the street and need to find the subway station. You see a stranger and want to ask politely. Use the recorded lines to guide your speaking.
Your task: First, say the attention-getter from «劳驾». Then add the question phrase from «请问». Finally, ask the full question from «劳驾，请问，最近的地铁站怎么走？». Say each line aloud. Then play the role of the stranger and say the reply from «一直往前走，然后左转。». Repeat the exchange a few times.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Correct Direction
You will hear a question and a reply. Your job is to understand the direction given. This task uses recorded lines only.
Your task: Listen to «不好意思，打扰一下，我想问一下，这附近有便利店吗？» and «有，就在前面路口右转。». Then answer these questions: In «有，就在前面路口右转。», does the speaker say to turn left or turn right? What does 'yòu zhuǎn' mean? Say your answer aloud. Then listen again and repeat the reply line «有，就在前面路口右转。» exactly.
Recall and Role-Play: Ask and Answer
In this task, you will recall the polite phrases and use them in a short role-play. You can play both roles. Use only the recorded lines you have practiced.
Your task: First, play the role of the person asking. Say the attention-getter from «不好意思», then the interruption phrase from «打扰一下», and then the question from «不好意思，打扰一下，我想问一下，这附近有便利店吗？». Next, play the role of the person answering. Say the reply from «有，就在前面路口右转。». Then switch: ask the question from «劳驾，请问，最近的地铁站怎么走？» and answer with «一直往前走，然后左转。». Try to do this without looking at the text.
Common questions
What is the difference between 'láo jià' and 'bù hǎo yì si'?
'Láo jià' is more formal and polite, often used to get a stranger's attention for a request. 'Bù hǎo yì si' is slightly more informal and very common. It can be used to gently interrupt, get attention, or apologize for a minor inconvenience. Both are polite, but 'láo jià' may sound more formal.
How do I know if someone says 'turn left' or 'turn right'?
Listen for 'zuǒ zhuǎn' for 'turn left' and 'yòu zhuǎn' for 'turn right'. In the recordings, «一直往前走，然后左转。» uses 'zuǒ zhuǎn' and «有，就在前面路口右转。» uses 'yòu zhuǎn'. Also listen for 'wǎng qián zǒu', which means 'go straight ahead'. Practice repeating these phrases to remember the tones.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: excuse me getting attentionChecked September 2026
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