这个方向对吗 (zhège fāngxiàng duì ma): Is this the right direction?

这个 (zhège) means 'this', 方向 (fāngxiàng) means 'direction', 对 (duì) means 'correct', and 吗 (ma) turns the statement into a yes/no question. So it's 'Is this direction correct?'

Variations and politeness

这个方向正确吗？

zhège fāngxiàng zhèngquè ma?

Is this direction correct? — More formal, using 正确 (zhèngquè) instead of 对 (duì).

我走的方向对吗？

wǒ zǒu de fāngxiàng duì ma?

Am I going in the right direction? — More colloquial, literally 'The direction I'm walking, is it correct?'

Mini dialogue

请问，这个方向对吗？

qǐngwèn, zhège fāngxiàng duì ma?

Excuse me, is this the right direction?

对，是这个方向。

duì, shì zhège fāngxiàng.

Yes, it's this direction.

When to use it

Appropriate

When you are in a metro, on the street, or anywhere and unsure if you are heading the right way.
When you want to politely ask a stranger for confirmation about your direction.

Avoid when

When you are asking about a specific location rather than a direction; use 'where is...' instead.
When you are in a formal setting where a more polite form like 请问 (qǐngwèn) should be added at the beginning.