Giving taxi directions to a clinic | Learn Chinese in English

Chinese lesson set in a contemporary Shanghai everyday setting: In a taxi, a passenger gives directions to a clinic entrance and agrees where the driver should stop..

EN → ZH / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Giving taxi directions to a clinic to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

您能在诊所入口附近让我们下车吗？

nín néng zài zhěnsuǒ rùkǒu fùjìn ràng wǒmen xià chē ma Could you drop us near the clinic entrance, please?
B

是过了主要十字路口一点吗？

shì guò le zhǔyào shízì lùkǒu yìdiǎn ma Is that just past the main intersection?
A

过了银行后向左转。

guò le yínháng hòu xiàng zuǒ zhuǎn Turn left after the bank.
A

然后沿着这条路往药房方向走。

rán hòu yánzhe zhè tiáo lù wǎng yàofáng fāngxiàng zǒu Then follow the road toward the pharmacy.
B

转弯后我应该一直直走吗？

zhuǎn wān hòu wǒ yīnggāi yìzhí zhí zǒu ma Should I keep going straight after the turn?
A

一直走，直到药房在您的右手边。

yìzhí zǒu, zhídào yàofáng zài nín de yòushǒubiān Keep going until the pharmacy is on your right.
B

您想让我在哪里停车？

nín xiǎng ràng wǒ zài nǎlǐ tíngchē Where would you like me to stop?
A

前门附近任何地方都可以。

qiánmén fùjìn rènhé dìfang dōu kěyǐ Anywhere near the front door is fine.
B

我可以在入口再往前一点靠边停车。

wǒ kěyǐ zài rùkǒu zài wǎng qián yìdiǎn kàobiān tíngchē I can pull over just beyond the entrance.

Word by Word

您 “您” means “you” in the polite address used for the passenger’s request to the driver. It is used here in “您能” and “您的”, addressing the other person respectfully. A new example is “您可以坐这里吗？” when speaking politely to someone.
能 “能” means “can” or “be able to” in “您能在诊所入口附近让我们下车吗？”. It asks whether the driver is able or willing to do the requested action. A useful pattern is “能 + verb” for asking whether someone can do something.
在 “在” marks the place where the passengers should get out in “在诊所入口附近”. It links the action with a location. A useful pattern is “在 + place + verb”, such as “在这里等” for “wait here” in a new example.
诊所 “诊所” means “clinic” in “诊所入口”, identifying the building whose entrance is the destination. It comes before “入口” to specify which entrance. A useful pattern is “诊所 + location”, such as “诊所前面” in a new example.
入口 “入口” means “entrance” in “诊所入口附近”, the place near which the passengers want to get out. It can combine with a place name before it, as in “诊所入口”. A new example is “请在入口停。” for asking someone to stop at the entrance.
附近 “附近” means “near” or “nearby” in “诊所入口附近”. It identifies an area close to a place rather than the exact place itself. A useful pattern is “place + 附近”, such as “银行附近” in a new example.
让 “让” means “let” or “allow” in “让我们下车”, expressing that the driver allows the passengers to get out. Here it connects the person affected, “我们”, with the action “下车”. A useful pattern is “让 + person + verb” when asking or telling someone to let another person do something.
我们 “我们” means “us” in “让我们下车”, referring to the people speaking together. It is the group that will get out of the taxi. A useful pattern is “我们 + verb” when the same group performs the action, such as “我们走” in a new example.
下车 “下车” means “get out of a vehicle” in “让我们下车”. It describes leaving the taxi, not simply moving downward. A useful pattern is “在 + place + 下车”, such as “在车站下车” in a new example.
吗 “吗” turns “您能在诊所入口附近让我们下车” into a yes-or-no question. It appears at the end of the question “您能在诊所入口附近让我们下车吗？”. A useful pattern is to place “吗” at the end of a statement when asking for confirmation or an answer.
是 “是” means “is” in “是过了主要十字路口一点吗？”, linking the place being checked with the description that follows. The speaker is confirming whether the destination is just past the intersection. A useful pattern is “是 + description + 吗？” for checking whether something is as described.
过 “过” means “pass” or “go past” in “过了主要十字路口一点”. It describes moving beyond the intersection. A useful pattern is “过 + landmark” when giving directions, such as “过银行” in a new example.
了 In “过了主要十字路口一点”, “了” presents passing the intersection as the relevant completed point in the directions. It is part of the exact phrase describing a location beyond the intersection. A useful pattern is “verb + 了 + place” when referring to having passed a landmark.
主要 “主要” means “main” in “主要十字路口”, specifying that this is the principal intersection rather than just any intersection. It comes before “十字路口” to describe it. A useful pattern is “主要 + noun” when identifying the main one of something.
十字路口 “十字路口” means “intersection” or “crossroads” in “主要十字路口”. It is the landmark used to check the taxi’s position. A useful pattern is “在十字路口 + direction verb”, such as “在十字路口向左转” in a new example.
一点 “一点” means “a little” in “过了主要十字路口一点”, indicating that the location is slightly beyond the main intersection. It softens the distance instead of giving an exact measurement. A useful pattern is “一点” after a direction or distance expression when describing a small amount.
银行 “银行” means “bank” in “过了银行后”, which is the landmark used before the next turn. It identifies the place the driver should pass. A useful pattern is “银行后” for a location after the bank, as in these directions.
后 “后” means “after” in “过了银行后”, marking the point after passing the bank. It connects the landmark with the next action, “向左转”. A useful pattern is “place + 后 + action” when giving directions in sequence.
向 “向” means “toward” or “in the direction of” in “向左转”. It introduces the direction of the turn. A useful pattern is “向 + direction” when specifying where to move, such as “向右” in a new example.
左 “左” means “left” in “向左转”, identifying the side toward which the driver should turn. It follows “向” in this direction expression. A useful pattern is “向左 + movement verb” for giving a leftward direction.
转 “转” means “turn” in “向左转”, telling the driver to change direction to the left. It follows the direction word “左”. A useful pattern is “向 + direction + 转” when giving a turning instruction.
然后 “然后” means “then” in “然后沿着这条路”, showing that following the road comes after the previous left turn. It helps organize the directions in time and sequence. A useful pattern is “然后 + action” when giving the next instruction.
沿着 “沿着” means “along” or “following” in “沿着这条路”, telling the driver to continue along the road. It is followed by the route being followed. A useful pattern is “沿着 + road or route + movement verb” when giving directions.
这 “这” means “this” in “这条路”, referring to the road currently being indicated. It points to a specific road in the immediate situation. A useful pattern is “这 + measure word + noun”, as in “这条路”.
条 “条” is the measure word used in “这条路” for the road being indicated. It appears between “这” and “路”, forming the phrase “this road”. A useful pattern is “一条路” or “这条路” when referring to a road.
路 “路” means “road” in “这条路”, the route the driver should follow. It is counted with “条” in this expression. A useful pattern is “沿着这条路” when telling someone to follow a particular road.
往 “往” means “toward” in “往药房方向”, indicating the direction of travel. It is followed by “药房方向”, the direction of the pharmacy. A useful pattern is “往 + destination or direction + movement verb” when describing where someone should go.
药房 “药房” means “pharmacy” in “往药房方向” and “药房在您的右手边”. It is both the direction’s landmark and the place that will appear on the driver’s right. A useful pattern is “药房附近” for an area near the pharmacy in a new example.
方向 “方向” means “direction” in “往药房方向”, identifying the direction associated with the pharmacy. It completes the phrase that tells the driver where to head. A useful pattern is “往 + place + 方向” when giving a destination-based direction.
走 “走” means “go” in “沿着这条路往药房方向走”. Here it describes continuing along the road in the pharmacy’s direction. A useful pattern is “往 + place + 走” when telling someone to go toward a place.
转弯 “转弯” means “the turn” in “转弯后”, referring to the left turn mentioned in the previous instruction. It marks the point after which the driver asks whether to continue straight. A useful pattern is “转弯后 + action” for instructions about what to do after turning.
我 “我” means “I” in “我应该一直直走吗？”, referring to the driver who is asking what action to take. It is the person expected to continue straight. A useful pattern is “我应该 + action + 吗？” when asking whether one should do something.
应该 “应该” means “should” in “我应该一直直走吗？”, asking whether continuing straight is the correct action. It comes before the action “一直直走”. A useful pattern is “应该 + verb” when asking about the proper action.
一直 “一直” means “continuously” or “all the way” in “一直直走”, telling the driver not to stop or change direction before the stated point. It modifies the instruction to go straight. A useful pattern is “一直 + movement expression” when giving directions for continued movement.
直走 “直走” means “go straight” in “我应该一直直走吗？” and “一直直走”. It tells the driver to continue without turning. A useful pattern is “直走到 + landmark” when giving a straight-ahead direction in a new example.
直到 “直到” means “until” in “直到药房在您的右手边”, introducing the point at which the driver should stop continuing. It connects the action “一直走” with the landmark becoming visible on the right. A useful pattern is “verb + 直到 + endpoint” for continuing an action up to a specified point.
的 In “您的右手边”, “的” links “您” with “右手边” to express “your right-hand side”. It marks the relationship between the person and the side being described. A useful pattern is “person + 的 + noun” for expressing possession or association.
右手边 “右手边” means “right-hand side” in “药房在您的右手边”, telling the driver where the pharmacy will appear relative to the driver. It is used after “在” to identify a position. A useful pattern is “在 + place + 的右手边” when describing something on someone’s right.
前门 “前门” means “front door” in “前门附近”, identifying the preferred area for stopping. It combines “前” and “门” to specify the door at the front. A useful pattern is “前门附近” when referring to the area near a building’s front door.
任何 “任何” means “any” in “任何地方”, allowing any location near the front door rather than one exact stopping point. It comes before the noun “地方”. A useful pattern is “任何 + noun” when saying that any member or option is acceptable.
地方 “地方” means “place” in “前门附近任何地方”, referring to a stopping location. It is the noun modified by “任何”. A useful pattern is “在 + place” or “任何地方” when talking about a location.
都 In “任何地方都可以”, “都” helps show that every place within the stated choice is acceptable. Together with “任何地方”, it gives the meaning “any place is fine”. A useful pattern is “任何 + noun + 都 + 可以” when saying that any option is acceptable.
可以 “可以” means “can” or “is acceptable” in “任何地方都可以”, confirming that stopping at any place near the front door is okay. Here it expresses acceptability rather than ability. A useful pattern is “place or option + 可以” when approving a place or choice.
再 “再” means “further” in “再往前一点”, telling the driver to go a little farther forward from the entrance. It does not mean repeating an action here. A useful pattern is “再 + direction or distance expression” when asking someone to continue a little farther.
前 “前” means “forward” or “ahead” in “往前一点”, describing the direction in which the driver should move a little farther. It follows “往” to form a forward-direction expression. A useful pattern is “往前走” when telling someone to move ahead.
靠边停车 “靠边停车” means “pull over and stop by the side” in “我可以在入口再往前一点靠边停车”. In this expression, “靠边” contributes moving the vehicle to the side, and “停车” contributes stopping the vehicle. A useful pattern is “在 + place + 靠边停车” when a driver stops at the roadside near a specified place.

Grammar Points

一直……直到……

一直向左转，直到药房在右手边。

yìzhí xiàng zuǒ zhuǎn, zhídào yàofáng zài yòushǒubiān

Keep turning left until the pharmacy is on the right.

一直 shows that an action continues, while 直到 introduces the point when it ends.

让我们 + 动词

让我们下车。

ràng wǒmen xià chē

Let us get out of the vehicle.

让我们 is a polite way to suggest doing something together, similar to “let’s” in English.

Chinese Vocabulary

附近 noun
fùjìn nearby; in the vicinity
您 pron
nín you (polite)
让我们下车 phrase
ràng wǒmen xià chē let us get out of the vehicle
入口 noun
rùkǒu entrance
十字路口 noun
shízì lùkǒu intersection; crossroads
向左转 phrase
xiàng zuǒ zhuǎn turn left
沿着 prep
yánzhe along; following
药房 noun
yàofáng pharmacy
一直 adv
yìzhí continuously; straight on
诊所 noun
zhěnsuǒ clinic
直到 conj
zhídào until
主要 adj
zhǔyào main; major

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

let us get out of the vehicle

Show Answer让我们下车

intersection; crossroads

Show Answer十字路口

entrance

Show Answer入口

pharmacy

Show Answer药房