In this workshop, you will practice listening to and saying basic directions in Mandarin. You will hear phrases for turning left, turning right, going straight, and crossing the road. You will also practice a short conversation about finding a bank. The goal is to help you understand and respond to simple directions in everyday situations. You do not need to read Chinese characters; just listen and repeat. Take your time, and say each phrase out loud. If you need to hear something again, replay the recording. This practice is for beginners, so it is fine to pause and repeat as often as you like.
Key Direction Phrases
Start by listening to each direction phrase. The first one means 'Turn left.' «往左拐» Notice the word for 'left' and the word for 'turn.' The second phrase means 'Turn right.' «往右拐» It is the same pattern but with the word for 'right.' The third phrase means 'Go straight.' «一直走» Use this when you should continue without turning. The fourth phrase means 'Cross the road.' «过马路» This tells you to go to the other side of the street. Practice saying each phrase slowly, then a bit faster. Pay attention to the tones, especially the third tone in 'left' and the fourth tone in 'right.'
A Short Conversation About Finding a Bank
Now listen to a short dialogue. A person asks how to get to the bank. The question is 'Excuse me, how do I get to the bank?' «请问，银行怎么走？» The other person answers, 'Go straight, then turn right.' «一直走，然后往右拐。» Then the first person asks, 'Do I need to cross the road?' «要过马路吗？» The answer is 'Yes, cross the road, the bank is on the left.' «对，过马路，银行在左边。» Notice that 'on the left' is different from 'turn left.' 'On the left' tells you where something is, not which way to turn. Practice the whole conversation. You can play both roles: first ask the question, then give the answer.
Understanding Location vs. Direction
In the conversation, you heard 'the bank is on the left.' «银行在左边» This is a location, not an instruction to turn. Compare it with 'Turn left.' «往左拐» The first tells you where the bank is; the second tells you to make a left turn. Similarly, 'Turn right' «往右拐» is an action, while 'on the right' would be a location. When you listen, ask yourself: is the speaker telling me to move in a direction, or telling me where something is? This will help you follow directions correctly. Practice by listening to each phrase and deciding if it is an action or a location.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
往左拐
Turn left
wǎng zuǒ guǎi
往右拐
Turn right
wǎng yòu guǎi
一直走
Go straight
yì zhí zǒu
过马路
Cross the road
guò mǎ lù
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
请问，银行怎么走？
Excuse me, how do I get to the bank?一直走，然后往右拐。
Go straight, then turn right.要过马路吗？
Do I need to cross the road?对，过马路，银行在左边。
Yes, cross the road, the bank is on the left.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Repeat and Respond
You will hear a direction phrase. Your job is to repeat it and then say the opposite direction if possible. For example, if you hear 'Turn left,' you can say 'Turn right.'
Your task: Play each recording one at a time. After each, repeat the phrase out loud. Then, if it is a turn, say the opposite turn. If it is 'Go straight' or 'Cross the road,' just repeat it clearly.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Correct Response
Listen to the bank conversation and identify which reply follows each question in that recording. This is a check of the recorded exchange, not every possible real-world answer.
Your task: Listen to the question 'Excuse me, how do I get to the bank?' «请问，银行怎么走？». Then choose the reply used in the recording: (A) 'Go straight, then turn right.' «一直走，然后往右拐。» or (B) 'Yes, cross the road, the bank is on the left.' «对，过马路，银行在左边。». Next, listen to 'Do I need to cross the road?' «要过马路吗？» and choose the reply used in the recording: (A) 'Go straight, then turn right.' «一直走，然后往右拐。» or (B) 'Yes, cross the road, the bank is on the left.' «对，过马路，银行在左边。».
Recall and Role-Play: Ask and Answer
Now you will practice the whole conversation. You can play both roles. First, you are the person asking for directions. Then, you are the person giving directions.
Your task: Say the question 'Excuse me, how do I get to the bank?' «请问，银行怎么走？» out loud. Then answer as the other person: 'Go straight, then turn right.' «一直走，然后往右拐。». Next, ask 'Do I need to cross the road?' «要过马路吗？». Then answer: 'Yes, cross the road, the bank is on the left.' «对，过马路，银行在左边。». Do this twice, switching roles each time.
Common questions
What is the difference between 'turn left' and 'on the left'?
'Turn left' «往左拐» is an instruction to make a left turn. 'On the left' is a location phrase; in the dialogue it appears as «银行在左边», meaning 'the bank is on the left.' When you hear 'on the left,' you do not need to turn; you just need to look to your left side.
How can I practice if I am alone?
You can play the recordings and repeat after them. You can also record yourself saying the phrases and compare with the original. For the conversation, you can play both roles by pausing after each line and saying the next line yourself.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: understanding directionsChecked September 2026
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