A useful question for getting around

Build the question

请问 (qǐngwèn) is a polite way to begin a question. Put the place before 在哪里 (zài nǎlǐ, is at where): 请问，洗手间在哪里？ means “Excuse me, where is the restroom?”

Understand a short reply

在那儿 means “(It) is over there”; 在这儿 means “(It) is here.” Chinese often leaves out “it” when the context is clear. 哪里 and 哪儿 both mean “where”; 哪儿 is a common spoken form.

Practice the exchange

Say the question once slowly, then answer with 在这儿 or 在那儿. Finish with 谢谢, from the earlier polite-phrases lesson. Focus on the tones in qǐngwèn, xǐshǒujiān and nǎlǐ.

Examples to read and repeat