怎么走？
zěnme zǒu?
How to get there?
How to ask "Turn left or right?" in Chinese
左转还是右转？
zuǒ zhuǎn háishi yòu zhuǎn?
Turn left or right?
Character breakdown
Grammar and structure
左转 (zuǒ zhuǎn) means 'turn left', 还是 (háishi) means 'or' (in questions), and 右转 (yòu zhuǎn) means 'turn right'. The structure is: option A + 还是 + option B.
Variations and politeness
往左转还是往右转？
wǎng zuǒ zhuǎn háishi wǎng yòu zhuǎn?
Turn left or turn right? — More conversational with 往 (wǎng) indicating direction.
请问左转还是右转？
qǐngwèn zuǒ zhuǎn háishi yòu zhuǎn?
Excuse me, turn left or right? — More polite with 请问 (qǐngwèn).
Mini dialogue
A
请问，左转还是右转？
qǐngwèn, zuǒ zhuǎn háishi yòu zhuǎn?
Excuse me, turn left or right?
B
右转。
yòu zhuǎn.
Turn right.
When to use it
Appropriate
- When you are unsure which direction to turn and need to ask someone.
- When you want to confirm a direction with a companion or a local.
Avoid when
- When you are giving a command to someone else; instead say 'Turn left' or 'Turn right'.
- When you are not asking about turning directions; don't use it for other choices like 'tea or coffee'.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say 'turn left or right?' in Chinese?
You say '左转还是右转？' (zuǒ zhuǎn háishi yòu zhuǎn?).
How do you pronounce '左转还是右转？'?
It is pronounced 'zuǒ zhuǎn háishi yòu zhuǎn?' with the third tone on zuǒ, third tone on zhuǎn, second tone on hái, neutral tone on shi, fourth tone on yòu, and third tone on zhuǎn.
When do you use '左转还是右转？'?
Use it when you need to ask someone which way to turn, either left or right, especially when you are lost or unsure of the direction.
More phrases for this situation
Tomyo
Learn Chinese with spaced repetition
Remember 左转还是右转？ and hundreds of other phrases with smart reviews, audio and examples.