taxis, metro, directions
Chinese phrases for getting around China
Show a destination, check the direction and know when to get off—even when English is not available.
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Five useful sentences chosen for this exact travel moment.我要去这里
I want to go herePoint to the address on your phone as you say it.
请问地铁在哪儿？
Excuse me, where is the metro?A polite way to start asking for directions.
请在这里停
Please stop hereUseful in a taxi when you see the right entrance.
停车场在哪儿？
Where is the parking lot?Handy when you are driving or returning a rental car.
还有几站？
How many stops are left?Use on a bus or metro when you are unsure.
我走错了吗？
Am I going the wrong way?A quick reset when the map and street do not match.
Hear the moment
before you meet it.
Leave your first class able to handle the first ten minutes of a real taxi or metro journey.
师傅，我要去这里。
shī fu, wǒ yào qù zhè lǐDriver, I want to go here.好的，大概二十分钟。
hǎo de, dà gài èr shí fēn zhōngOkay, about twenty minutes.好，谢谢。
hǎo, xiè xieOkay, thank you.Do not translate an entire address aloud
Chinese addresses run from the largest place to the smallest. Keep the Chinese address saved on your phone, point to it, and use 我要去这里 to make the request clear.After class 1, you can
- Give a destination to a driver✓
- Ask where the metro is✓
- Check stops and direction✓
- Ask a driver to stop✓
Before you practise
Can I use these phrases without reading Chinese characters?
Yes. We practise the pinyin, rhythm and a simple phone-pointing strategy, so you do not need to read characters.
Will this help with DiDi and ride-hailing?
Yes. The phrases are useful when meeting your driver, confirming the destination and choosing where to stop.
Is this suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. The lesson assumes no previous Mandarin and focuses on a small number of high-use sentences.
How do I tell a driver where to go if I cannot pronounce the address?
Keep the address saved on your phone in Chinese, point to it and say 我要去这里. Your teacher will practise this phone-pointing routine with you so it feels natural.
Is the metro in China hard for first-time visitors?
Major stations show signs in Chinese and English, and ticket machines offer English. With a few key phrases - where the metro is, how many stops remain - you can navigate without reading characters.
Will I learn useful numbers and directions too?
Yes. Alongside the travel sentences, your teacher will add the small set of numbers and direction words that appear in most journeys.
Know someone visiting China?
Share this page — a friend heading to China will thank you for it.