Chinese phrases

How to say where in Chinese

Where in Chinese is 哪里 (nǎ li). To ask where something is, name it first and add 在哪里: 地铁站在哪里?

哪里

nǎ li

where

Ways to say where

哪里
nǎ li
Everyday
where
The standard word, understood everywhere: 你在哪里?, “Where are you?”
哪儿
nǎ er
Everyday
where
The northern form. Very common in Beijing and in many textbooks: 你去哪儿?
在哪里
zài nǎ li
Everyday
where is …?
After a place or a thing: 厕所在哪里?, 我的手机在哪里?
在哪
zài nǎ
With friends
where is …?
The short form in quick speech and in chats: 你在哪?, “Where are you?”
去哪里
qù nǎ li
Everyday
where to?; where are you going?
What a taxi driver asks when you get in. Neighbours also ask it in passing, as a kind of hello.
什么地方
shén me dì fang
Everyday
what place; where
A longer way to ask where, often about where someone lives or works: 你住在什么地方?

这里
zhè lǐ
here
Near you.
那里
nà li
there
Further away.
前面
qián miàn
ahead; in front
For directions: 就在前面, “just ahead.”
旁边
páng biān
next to it
For a place beside something you both know: 银行旁边, “next to the bank.”

Putting 哪里 first
English starts with “where”. Chinese names the place first and adds 在哪里 after it: 厕所在哪里?
Mixing up 哪里 and 那里
哪里 (nǎ li) asks where. 那里 (nà li) means “there”. Only the first tone is different: in 哪里 the first syllable rises (it usually sounds like ná), and in 那里 it falls.
Hearing 哪里哪里 as a question
When you praise someone, they may answer 哪里哪里. It is not a question: it is a modest “not at all”. It sounds a little old-fashioned now, and many people say 没有没有.

你在哪里？
nǐ zài nǎ li
Qiqi: Where are you?
我到了，在地铁站门口。
wǒ dào le, zài dì tiě zhàn mén kǒu
Leon: I’m here, at the metro station entrance.
我怎么没看到你？
wǒ zěn me méi kàn dào nǐ
Qiqi: How come I can’t see you?
我就在你后面！
wǒ jiù zài nǐ hòu mian
Leon: I’m right behind you!

In the dictionary: 哪里 · 哪儿 · 地方 · 这里 · 那里 · 旁边