This document contains vocabulary and example sentences about describing locations in Chinese using directional words like left, right, front, and back. It introduces characters for directional words like 左 zuǒ (left) and 右 yòu (right) and how to form sentences using relative place words like 在左边 zài zuǒbian (on the left). Examples show asking for and providing directions using phrases like 电影院在哪儿 diànyǐngyuàn zài nǎr (Where is the cinema?) and 这是商店,电影院在商店的后边 zhè shì shāngdiàn, diànyǐ

2. zài nǎ er jiàn miàn
在哪儿见面？

3. Four directions
hòu bian
后(边)
back
yòu bian
右(边)
zuǒ bian
左(边)
right
left
qián bian
前(边)
front
biān
边
side

4. Distinguish the characters
在
左
右
zài
zuǒ
yòu
It has “土” (soil)
underneath. Shows the
meaning be located –
on the soil/ground
It has L for left
in the bottom part
of the character.
It has a “口”
(mouth)underneath.
Could mean what I
say is always right.

5. Relative place words
zài zuǒ bian
在左边
A 在 B 左边
A 在 B (的)
左边
e
Notes:
在左边 means “on the left”, for example:
公园在左边。= The park is on the left.
It means “A is located to the left of B. E.g.
公园在图书馆(的)左边。
A
B
The park is to the left of the library.
 The 的 is optional; you don’t have to use it, but
we use it in the sentences in most of the cases.
 Remember the place word is always after the
location.

6. Practice in groups
Please say the following sentences in Chinese.
zài zuǒbian / yòubian / qiánbian / hòu bian
 A 在左边 / 右边 / 前边 / 后边。(A is at…)
 A 在 B (的de) 左边 / 右边 / 前边 / 后边。(A is located to
the…..of B.)
1. Post office is at the front. 邮局在前边。
2. Cinema is on the right. 电影院在右边。
3. The library is to the left of the park.
图书馆在公园的左边。
4. The train station is behind the sports centre.
火车站在运动中心的后边。

7. Opposite
He is
opposite of
her.
gōng tā
yuán zài diǎn yǐng yuàn de duì miàn
公园 在 电影院 的 对面
她
他

8. Next to
姐姐
弟弟
māo zài
gǒu
de
páng biān
旁边
猫在狗
The cat is next to the dog.
(的)

9. Where is…..? (…..在哪
qǐng wèn
请问
儿？)
please may
I ask
公园
zài nǎ er
The shops / The library
xiè xiè
Thanks.
谢谢！ yòng xiè
bú
不谢 / 不用谢！
bú kè qì
You’re
不客气。welcome.
duì bu qǐ
在哪
儿？ dào
wǒ bù zhī
对不起，我不知
Sorry,
道。 I don’t know.
méi guān xi It’s ok / no
没关系！problem.

10. This is / That is
zhè shì
这是 this is
nà shì
那是 that is
银行
邮局
电影院
商店
运动中心

11. Dialogue 1
qǐng wèn diǎn yǐng
zài nǎ er
yuàn
location A
电影院
A 请问，________在哪儿？
3
zài
zhè shì shāng diàn diǎn yǐng
B 这是______,_______在
location Byuàn
商店 location A
电影院
shāng diàn de
hòu bian
location B
direction
后边
商店
_____的 ______。
xiè xiè
A
3
谢谢！
bú kè qì / bú yòng xiè
B
不客气 / 不用谢！

12. Dialogue 2
qǐng wèn
diǎn yǐng
zài nǎ er
yuàn
location A
电影院
A 请问，________在哪儿？
3
duì bu qǐ
B
A
3
wǒ bù zhī dào
对不起，我不知
道。
méi guān xi
没关系！