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Asking for directions

Where is...? How to get there?

5words
15XP
6–10min
Practice this lesson

This lesson brings everything together by teaching you to actually ask the way and make sense of the answer. You will learn to ask where a place is and how to get there, then to understand whether the reply means it is nearby or a long walk. These few phrases turn you from someone who can name places into someone who can find them.

What you'll learn

  • Ask where something is with 喺邊度 (hai2 bin1 dou6)
  • Ask how to get there using 點去 (dim2 heoi3)
  • Understand “very close” from 好近 (hou2 kan5)
  • Recognise “very far” when you hear 好遠 (hou2 jyun5)
  • Combine a place name with 喺邊度 to ask a full question
  • Judge whether to walk or take transport from the reply

Learn how to ask for directions and locations. Essential for getting around!

hai2bin1dou6

where (is it)?

m4goi1bin6便lei6dim3hai2bin1dou6

Excuse me, where is the convenience store?

dim2heoi3

how to get there?

ceng2man6soeng1coeng4dim2heoi3

Excuse me, how do I get to the mall?

hou2gan6

very close / nearby

baa1si2zaam6hou2gan6haang4lou6loeng5fan1zung1

The bus stop is very close, just a two minute walk

hou2jyun5

very far

hou2jyun5daap6baa1si2hou2di1

It's far, better take the bus

zau2

to leave

ngo5ji4gaa1zau2laa3

I am leaving now

Frequently asked questions

How do you ask “where is it” in Cantonese?

Use 喺邊度 (hai2 bin1 dou6), meaning “where is it” or “at where”. Put the place you are looking for in front of it to ask about a specific spot.

How do you ask how to get somewhere?

Say 點去 (dim2 heoi3), which means “how do I get there”. It is the quickest way to ask for a route once you have named your destination.

How do I know if a place is near or far?

Listen for 好近 (hou2 kan5) for very close and 好遠 (hou2 jyun5) for very far. The answer tells you whether walking is realistic or you should take transport.