In this podcast, another in our series from the Coffee Talk Chinese archives, Chinese host and Mandarin teacher, Will Xu, talks about how to give directions in Chinese. Co-host and long time student of Mandarin, Lindi, follows along and helps to guide other learners down the path to understanding and speaking Chinese.

Vocabulary:

给 Gěi Give

指路 Zhǐ lù Directions

国际 Guójì International

路 Lù Road, Street

靠近 Kàojìn Next to, Close to

清楚 Qīngchǔ Clear, Certain

认得 Rèndé Recognize, Familiar with

快 Kuài Almost, fast

告诉 Gàosù To tell

Dialogue:

司机：去哪里？

Sījī: Qù nǎlǐ?

Driver: Where to?

乘客：万里国际学校。

Chéngkè: Wànlǐ guójì xuéxiào。

Passenger: Wanli International School

司机：你知道在什么路上吗？

Nǐ zhīdào zài shénme lùshàng ma?

Do you know what street it's on?

乘客：虹桥路。

Hóngqiáo lù.

Rainbow Bridge Road.

司机：靠近哪条路呢？

Kàojìn nǎ tiáo lù ne?

What street is that close to?

乘客：不清楚，但是我认得那里。快到的时候我可以告诉你。

Bù qīngchǔ, dànshì wǒ rèndé nàlǐ. Kuài dào de shíhòu wǒ kěyǐ gàosù nǐ.

I'm not certain, but I'm familiar with that area. When we're almost there,

I'll tell you.

Supplementary Vocab/Phrases

我可以给你指路 Wǒ kěyǐ gěi nǐ zhǐ lù. I can show you the way

Catch My Drift:

A: 到哪里？

B：世纪联华。

A：哪一个世纪联华？

B：淮海路上的那个。

A：靠近哪条路？

B：记不清楚了。

A：你认得那里吗？

B：认得。我可以给你指路。