🧭 Chinese Directions & Position Vocabulary 方位与方向

125 essential Mandarin Chinese words for the Directions & Position scene, each with pinyin, English meaning, HSK level and native speaker audio, plus example sentences. Tap 🔊 to listen.

向前 xiàng qián HSK 5
forward; to move forward
无论多难都要向前走。wú lùn duō nán dōu yào xiàng qián zǒuNo matter how hard it is, you must keep moving forward.
顺 shùn HSK 6
to follow; along; smooth; favorable
你顺着这条路一直走就到了。nǐ shùn zhe zhè tiáo lù yì zhí zǒu jiù dào leJust follow this road straight and you'll get there.
远 yuǎn HSK 1
far
学校离这里很远。xué xiào lí zhè lǐ hěn yuǎn.The school is far from here.
近 jìn HSK 1
near; close
我家离公司很近。wǒ jiā lí gōng sī hěn jìn.My home is close to the office.
地方 dì fang HSK 1
place
这是什么地方?zhè shì shén me dì fang?What place is this?
北 běi HSK 1
north
我家在城市的北面wǒ jiā zài chéng shì de běi miànMy home is in the north of the city.
北边 běi biān HSK 1
north; north side
学校在我家的北边xué xiào zài wǒ jiā de běi biānThe school is to the north of my home.
车上 chē shàng HSK 1
on the bus/in the car
我的书在车上wǒ de shū zài chē shàngMy book is in the car.
地点 dì diǎn HSK 1
place; site; location; venue
请告诉我见面的地点qǐng gào su wǒ jiàn miàn de dì diǎnPlease tell me the meeting place.
地上 dì shang HSK 1
on the ground; on the floor
书掉在地上了shū diào zài dì shang leThe book fell on the floor.
东 dōng HSK 1
east
太阳从东边出来tài yáng cóng dōng bian chū láiThe sun rises in the east.
东边 dōng bian HSK 1
east; east side
商店在我家东边shāng diàn zài wǒ jiā dōng bianThe shop is on the east side of my home.
后 hòu HSK 1
behind; after; back
饭后我去散步fàn hòu wǒ qù sàn bùAfter the meal I go for a walk.
后边 hòu bian HSK 1
the back; behind; the rear
商店在学校后边shāng diàn zài xué xiào hòu bianThe shop is behind the school.
里 lǐ HSK 1
inside; in
书在包里shū zài bāo lǐThe book is in the bag.
里边 lǐ bian HSK 1
inside
请到里边坐qǐng dào lǐ bian zuòPlease come inside and sit.
楼上 lóu shàng HSK 1
upstairs
他在楼上tā zài lóu shàngHe is upstairs.
楼下 lóu xià HSK 1
downstairs
我在楼下等你wǒ zài lóu xià děng nǐI'll wait for you downstairs.
南 nán HSK 1
south
我家在南边wǒ jiā zài nán bianMy home is to the south.
南边 nán bian HSK 1
south side; the south
学校在我家南边xué xiào zài wǒ jiā nán bianThe school is to the south of my home.
旁边 páng biān HSK 1
side; beside; next to
学校旁边有商店xué xiào páng biān yǒu shāng diànThere is a shop next to the school.
前 qián HSK 1
front; ahead; before
学校在我家前面xué xiào zài wǒ jiā qián miànThe school is in front of my house.
前边 qián bian HSK 1
front; the front side; in front
前边有一个商店qián bian yǒu yí ge shāng diànThere is a shop in front.
上 shàng HSK 1
up; on; above; on top of
书在桌子上shū zài zhuō zi shàngThe book is on the table.
上边 shàng bian HSK 1
above; the top; on top of
杯子在桌子上边bēi zi zài zhuō zi shàng bianThe cup is on top of the table.
身上 shēn shang HSK 1
on the body; on one's person
我身上没有钱wǒ shēn shang méi yǒu qiánI don't have any money on me.
外 wài HSK 1
outside; outer
门外有一只猫mén wài yǒu yì zhī māoThere's a cat outside the door.
外边 wài bian HSK 1
outside; the outside
我们去外边走走wǒ men qù wài bian zǒu zouLet's go for a walk outside.
西 xī HSK 1
west
太阳从西边下去。tài yáng cóng xī biān xià qùThe sun goes down in the west.
西边 xī biān HSK 1
west; west side
商店在西边。shāng diàn zài xī biānThe shop is to the west.
下 xià HSK 1
below; under; underneath
猫在桌子下。māo zài zhuō zi xiàThe cat is under the table.
下边 xià bian HSK 1
below; underside
书在桌子下边。shū zài zhuō zi xià bianThe book is underneath the table.
右 yòu HSK 1
right (bound form: 右手, 往右走)
请往右走。qǐng wǎng yòu zǒuPlease go to the right.
右边 yòu bian HSK 1
the right-hand side (place noun)
医院在右边。yī yuàn zài yòu bianThe hospital is on the right.
中 zhōng HSK 1
(suffix) in the middle of; in; in progress
会议正在进行中，请安静。huì yì zhèng zài jìn xíng zhōng, qǐng ān jìng.The meeting is in progress — please be quiet.
中间 zhōng jiān HSK 1
the middle; between
他坐在我们中间tā zuò zài wǒ men zhōng jiānHe sits between us.
左 zuǒ HSK 1
left
请往左走qǐng wǎng zuǒ zǒuPlease go to the left.
左边 zuǒ bian HSK 1
left side; to the left
商店在左边shāng diàn zài zuǒ bianThe shop is on the left.
方向 fāng xiàng HSK 2
direction; orientation
你走错方向了。nǐ zǒu cuò fāng xiàng leYou went in the wrong direction.
中心 zhōng xīn HSK 2
center; core; heart
这里是城市的中心。zhè lǐ shì chéng shì de zhōng xīnThis is the center of the city.
对面 duì miàn HSK 2
opposite; across from
银行就在学校对面。yín háng jiù zài xué xiào duì miànThe bank is right across from the school.
天上 tiān shàng HSK 2
in the sky; heavenly
天上的星星真漂亮。tiān shàng de xīng xing zhēn piào liangThe stars in the sky are so beautiful.
路边 lù biān HSK 2
roadside; wayside; curb
汽车停在路边了。qì chē tíng zài lù biān leThe car is parked at the roadside.
东北 dōng běi HSK 2
northeast; Northeast China
我老家在东北。wǒ lǎo jiā zài dōng běiMy hometown is in the Northeast.
西南 xī nán HSK 2
southwest
他家在城市的西南边。tā jiā zài chéng shì de xī nán biānHis home is in the southwest of the city.
西北 xī běi HSK 2
northwest
中国的西北天气很干。zhōng guó de xī běi tiān qì hěn gānThe weather in northwest China is very dry.
里头 lǐ tou HSK 2
inside (colloquial, spoken)
钱包在包里头。qián bāo zài bāo lǐ touThe wallet is inside the bag.
东南 dōng nán HSK 2
southeast
机场在城市的东南方向。jī chǎng zài chéng shì de dōng nán fāng xiàngThe airport is in the southeast direction of the city.
边 biān HSK 2
side; edge; border
他就站在马路的那边。tā jiù zhàn zài mǎ lù de nà biānHe is standing right on that side of the road.
面前 miàn qián HSK 2
in front of; before (someone)
老师站在同学们面前。lǎo shī zhàn zài tóng xué men miàn qiánThe teacher stood in front of the students.
身边 shēn biān HSK 2
at one's side; nearby; on hand
妈妈一直在我身边。mā ma yì zhí zài wǒ shēn biānMom has always been by my side.
内 nèi HSK 3
inside; inner; within; interior
请在三天内给我回信。qǐng zài sān tiān nèi gěi wǒ huí xìnPlease reply to me within three days.
上面 shàng miàn HSK 3
on top of; above; the surface
书就放在桌子上面。shū jiù fàng zài zhuō zi shàng miànThe book is right on top of the table.
后面 hòu mian HSK 3
behind; later on (neutral, standard)
洗手间在教室后面。xǐ shǒu jiān zài jiào shì hòu mianThe restroom is behind the classroom.
外面 wài miàn HSK 3
outside; exterior
外面正在下雨。wài miàn zhèng zài xià yǔIt's raining outside.
下面 xià miàn HSK 3
below; under; the following
小猫躲在桌子下面xiǎo māo duǒ zài zhuō zi xià miànThe kitten is hiding under the table.
周围 zhōu wéi HSK 3
surroundings; around; vicinity
学校周围有很多商店。xué xiào zhōu wéi yǒu hěn duō shāng diànThere are many shops around the school.
前面 qián miàn HSK 3
ahead; in front; the front
银行就在前面。yín háng jiù zài qián miànThe bank is right ahead.
背后 bèi hòu HSK 3
behind; at the back; behind sb's back
别在背后说别人的坏话。bié zài bèi hòu shuō bié rén de huài huàDon't badmouth people behind their backs.
当中 dāng zhōng HSK 3
among; in the middle; in the center
在这些学生当中，他最努力。zài zhè xiē xué sheng dāng zhōng tā zuì nǔ lìAmong these students, he works the hardest.
眼前 yǎn qián HSK 3
before one's eyes; at present; right now
美丽的大海就在我们眼前。měi lì de dà hǎi jiù zài wǒ men yǎn qiánThe beautiful sea is right before our eyes.
场所 chǎng suǒ HSK 3
place; venue; premises
图书馆是安静的学习场所。tú shū guǎn shì ān jìng de xué xí chǎng suǒThe library is a quiet place for studying.
里面 lǐ miàn HSK 3
inside (neutral, standard word)
箱子里面有很多书。xiāng zi lǐ miàn yǒu hěn duō shūThere are many books inside the box.
底下 dǐ xia HSK 3
below; underneath; under
小猫躲在桌子底下。xiǎo māo duǒ zài zhuō zi dǐ xiaThe kitten is hiding under the table.
之间 zhī jiān HSK 4
between; among; amid
我们之间没有秘密。wǒ men zhī jiān méi yǒu mì mìThere are no secrets between us.
手里 shǒu lǐ HSK 4
in hand; in one's possession
钱都在他手里。qián dōu zài tā shǒu lǐThe money is all in his hands.
距离 jù lí HSK 4
distance; to be apart from
两个城市之间的距离很远。liǎng ge chéng shì zhī jiān de jù lí hěn yuǎnThe distance between the two cities is far.
内部 nèi bù HSK 4
interior; inside; internal
这是公司内部的机密文件。zhè shì gōng sī nèi bù de jī mì wén jiànThis is a confidential document internal to the company.
地下 dì xià HSK 4
underground; subterranean
停车场在地下一层。tíng chē chǎng zài dì xià yì céngThe parking lot is on the first underground floor.
位于 wèi yú HSK 4
to be located at; to be situated in
这家公司位于市中心。zhè jiā gōng sī wèi yú shì zhōng xīnThis company is located in the city center.
地面 dì miàn HSK 4
ground; floor; surface
雪把地面都盖白了。xuě bǎ dì miàn dōu gài bái leThe snow covered the ground all white.
底 dǐ HSK 4
bottom; base; end (of a period)
这个项目月底就能完成。zhè ge xiàng mù yuè dǐ jiù néng wán chéngThis project can be finished by the end of the month.
隔 gé HSK 4
to separate; to be at a distance from; after an interval of
我家隔着一条河和学校相望。wǒ jiā gé zhe yì tiáo hé hé xué xiào xiāng wàngMy home faces the school across a river.
位置 wèi zhi HSK 4
position; place; location
请把桌子放回原来的位置。qǐng bǎ zhuō zi fàng huí yuán lái de wèi zhiPlease put the table back to its original position.
附近 fù jìn HSK 4
nearby; vicinity; neighborhood
我家附近有一家超市。wǒ jiā fù jìn yǒu yì jiā chāo shìThere's a supermarket near my home.
台上 tái shàng HSK 4
on the stage; on the platform
演员在台上表演得很精彩。yǎn yuán zài tái shàng biǎo yǎn de hěn jīng cǎiThe actors performed wonderfully on stage.
地址 dì zhǐ HSK 4
address
请把你的地址告诉我。qǐng bǎ nǐ de dì zhǐ gào su wǒPlease tell me your address.
两边 liǎng bian HSK 4
both sides; either side
马路两边都种着大树。mǎ lù liǎng bian dōu zhòng zhe dà shùBig trees are planted on both sides of the road.
空间 kōng jiān HSK 4
space; room
这个房间的空间很大zhè ge fáng jiān de kōng jiān hěn dàThis room has a lot of space.
后头 hòu tou HSK 4
behind; later on (colloquial, spoken)
商店就在那栋楼的后头。shāng diàn jiù zài nà dòng lóu de hòu touThe shop is right behind that building.
前头 qián tou HSK 4
in front; ahead; the front; earlier (above)
银行就在马路的前头。yín háng jiù zài mǎ lù de qián touThe bank is right up ahead on the road.
所在 suǒ zài HSK 5
place; location; whereabouts
这就是问题的所在。zhè jiù shì wèn tí de suǒ zàiThis is exactly where the problem lies.
之下 zhī xià HSK 5
under; beneath; below
在他的帮助之下我成功了。zài tā de bāng zhù zhī xià wǒ chéng gōng leWith his help, I succeeded.
旁 páng HSK 5
side; beside
他站在门旁等我。tā zhàn zài mén páng děng wǒHe stood beside the door waiting for me.
在场 zài chǎng HSK 5
to be present; to be on the scene
事故发生时他正好在场。shì gù fā shēng shí tā zhèng hǎo zài chǎngHe happened to be on the scene when the accident occurred.
空中 kōng zhōng HSK 5
in the sky; in the air; aerial
一群鸟在空中飞翔。yì qún niǎo zài kōng zhōng fēi xiángA flock of birds is flying in the sky.
上下 shàng xià HSK 5
up and down; top and bottom; about (approximately)
他每天上下班都坐地铁。tā měi tiān shàng xià bān dōu zuò dì tiěHe takes the subway to and from work every day.
深处 shēn chù HSK 5
depths; the deepest or most distant part
他把秘密藏在心灵的深处。tā bǎ mì mì cáng zài xīn líng de shēn chùHe hides the secret in the depths of his heart.
四周 sì zhōu HSK 5
all around; surroundings
房子四周都是高大的树木。fáng zi sì zhōu dōu shì gāo dà de shù mùThere are tall trees all around the house.
一带 yī dài HSK 5
the area around; the region of; thereabouts
这一带的风景非常美丽。zhè yí dài de fēng jǐng fēi cháng měi lìThe scenery around here is very beautiful.
远处 yuǎn chù HSK 5
the distance (a far-off spot in sight)
远处传来一阵歌声。yuǎn chù chuán lái yí zhèn gē shēngA burst of singing came from far away.
中央 zhōng yāng HSK 5
center; middle; central authorities
广场中央有一个大喷泉。guǎng chǎng zhōng yāng yǒu yí gè dà pēn quánThere is a big fountain in the center of the square.
南北 nán běi HSK 5
north and south; from north to south
这条大街南北方向很长。zhè tiáo dà jiē nán běi fāng xiàng hěn chángThis avenue runs a long way from north to south.
跟前 gēn qián HSK 5
in front of; in sb's presence; nearby
孩子就站在我跟前。hái zi jiù zhàn zài wǒ gēn qiánThe child was standing right in front of me.
岸上 àn shàng HSK 5
ashore; on the shore/bank
他从水里爬到岸上休息。tā cóng shuǐ lǐ pá dào àn shàng xiū xiHe climbed out of the water onto the shore to rest.
两岸 liǎng àn HSK 5
both shores; both sides of a strait
河的两岸种满了柳树。hé de liǎng àn zhòng mǎn le liǔ shùBoth banks of the river are lined with willows.
边缘 biān yuán HSK 6
edge; brink; margin; periphery
这家公司已经到了破产的边缘。zhè jiā gōng sī yǐ jīng dào le pò chǎn de biān yuánThis company is already on the brink of bankruptcy.
前方 qián fāng HSK 6
ahead; the front; front line
前方施工，请减速慢行。qián fāng shī gōng qǐng jiǎn sù màn xíngConstruction ahead, please slow down.
外部 wài bù HSK 6
the outside; external; exterior
公司拒绝向外部透露这个消息。gōng sī jù jué xiàng wài bù tòu lù zhè gè xiāo xiThe company refused to disclose this news to the outside.
侧 cè HSK 6
to lean to one side; to turn sideways · also: side (n.)
他侧着身子从人群中挤了过去。tā cè zhe shēn zi cóng rén qún zhōng jǐ le guò qùHe turned his body sideways and squeezed through the crowd.
挨着 āi zhe HSK 6
next to; close to; leaning against
我家挨着一条安静的小河。wǒ jiā āi zhe yì tiáo ān jìng de xiǎo héMy home is right next to a quiet little river.
两侧 liǎng cè HSK 6
two sides; both sides
马路两侧都种着树。mǎ lù liǎng cè dōu zhòng zhe shùTrees are planted on both sides of the road.
内外 nèi wài HSK 6
inside and outside; domestic and foreign
这项技术在国内外都很有名。zhè xiàng jì shù zài guó nèi wài dōu hěn yǒu míngThis technology is famous both at home and abroad.
外头 wài tou HSK 6
outside; out
外头风很大，多穿件衣服吧。wài tou fēng hěn dà duō chuān jiàn yī fu baIt's very windy outside, put on an extra layer.
远方 yuǎn fāng HSK 6
faraway lands (literary, distant places)
他望着远方，陷入了沉思。tā wàng zhe yuǎn fāng xiàn rù le chén sīHe gazed into the distance, lost in thought.
地图 dì tú HSK 1
map
我看地图找路wǒ kàn dì tú zhǎo lùI look at the map to find the way.
问路 wèn lù HSK 2
to ask for directions
我不认识路,只能问路。wǒ bú rèn shi lù zhǐ néng wèn lùI don't know the way, so I can only ask for directions.
往 wǎng HSK 2
towards; to
请往前一直走。qǐng wǎng qián yì zhí zǒuPlease keep walking straight ahead.
直 zhí HSK 3
straight; upright; directly; frank
这条路又长又直zhè tiáo lù yòu cháng yòu zhíThis road is long and straight.
斜 xié HSK 5
slanting; oblique; tilted
那面墙有点斜，不太安全。nà miàn qiáng yǒu diǎn xié bú tài ān quánThat wall is a bit slanted; it's not very safe.
横 héng HSK 6
horizontal; across; crosswise
请在纸上画一条横线。qǐng zài zhǐ shàng huà yì tiáo héng xiànPlease draw a horizontal line on the paper.
以下 yǐ xià HSK 2
the following; below (an amount/level)
请看以下几个例子。qǐng kàn yǐ xià jǐ gè lì ziPlease look at the following few examples.
以上 yǐ shàng HSK 2
above; over; more than
这里的孩子都在十岁以上。zhè lǐ de hái zi dōu zài shí suì yǐ shàngThe children here are all ten years old or older.
到处 dào chù HSK 2
everywhere
我到处找我的手机。wǒ dào chù zhǎo wǒ de shǒu jīI looked everywhere for my phone.
离 lí HSK 2
away from; from (distance); to leave
我家离学校很近。wǒ jiā lí xué xiào hěn jìnMy home is very close to the school.
以内 yǐ nèi HSK 4
within; less than; inside (a range)
请在一周以内完成作业。qǐng zài yì zhōu yǐ nèi wán chéng zuò yèPlease finish the homework within one week.
之内 zhī nèi HSK 5
within; inside (of)
请在三天之内给我答复。qǐng zài sān tiān zhī nèi gěi wǒ dá fùPlease give me a reply within three days.
之中 zhī zhōng HSK 5
among; in the midst of; during
在这些人之中他最努力。zài zhè xiē rén zhī zhōng tā zuì nǔ lìAmong these people, he works the hardest.
从中 cóng zhōng HSK 5
from within; therefrom; out of it
读这本书，我从中学到了很多。dú zhè běn shū wǒ cóng zhōng xué dào le hěn duōReading this book, I learned a lot from it.
向上 xiàng shàng HSK 5
aspiring; striving to improve; making progress · also: upward (adv.)
他是个积极向上的年轻人tā shì gè jī jí xiàng shàng de nián qīng rénHe is a positive and self-improving young man.
之外 zhī wài HSK 5
besides; apart from; outside
除了他之外没人知道。chú le tā zhī wài méi rén zhī dàoNo one knows besides him.
四处 sì chù HSK 6
all over the place; everywhere; in all directions
他四处打听那家老店的消息。tā sì chù dǎ tīng nà jiā lǎo diàn de xiāo xiHe asked around everywhere for news of that old shop.
挨 āi HSK 6
to be next to; close to; in sequence
两个孩子紧紧地挨在一起。liǎng gè hái zi jǐn jǐn de āi zài yì qǐThe two children snuggle up close to each other.
面向 miàn xiàng HSK 6
to face; to be geared towards; to cater to
这门课程面向初学者。zhè mén kè chéng miàn xiàng chū xué zhěThis course is geared towards beginners.
处处 chù chù HSK 6
everywhere; in every respect
他做事处处为别人着想。tā zuò shì chù chù wèi bié rén zhuó xiǎngIn everything he does, he considers others in every respect.

FAQ

How many Chinese directions & position words are in this list?

125 words, including HSK 1: 37, HSK 2: 19, HSK 3: 14, HSK 4: 18, HSK 5: 22, HSK 6: 15. Every word has playable native audio and example sentences.

Are these words useful for the HSK?

Yes — every word is tagged with its HSK level (HSK 1–6 or 7+), so you can prioritise words for your target level.

What is the best way to memorise them?

Learn them as a scene group with spaced repetition: listen and repeat, study the example sentence, review the next day. The companion app has built-in SRS and four quiz types.

Learn this scene in the app (SRS + quizzes) →