Mandarin Sprout
HSK learning path
0-day streak
48 original HSK 2 lessons
Stage 7 · Lesson 40

Asking for clear directions

Ask for clarification and confirm instructions in your own words.

16 new words2 sessions · 20–25 minutes each0/38 correct without hintsReview the preceding lesson

New HSK 2 vocabulary

Only this lesson’s new HSK 2 entries appear here. HSK 1 words return in dialogues and readings for review and are not repeated here.

HSK 2Expressions and idioms
怎么样
zěnmeyàng

English meaning
how; what it is like

Examples and usage
到了门口，她又问今天看书的人多不多、里面怎么样。这次问路，让她越来越敢用中文处理小事情。dào le mén kǒu， tā yòu wèn jīn tiān kàn shū de rén duō bù duō、 lǐ miàn zěn me yàng。 zhè cì wèn lù， ràng tā yuè lái yuè gǎn yòng zhōng wén chǔ lǐ xiǎo shì qing。

At the entrance she asks how busy it is and what it is like inside. Asking directions makes her more confident using Chinese for everyday matters.

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
怎么样

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HSK 2Expressions and idioms
怎样
zěnyàng

English meaning
how; in what way

Examples and usage
不好意思，请问去图书馆应该往哪边走？我听说在学校旁边，可是不知道具体怎样走。bù hǎo yì si， qǐng wèn qù tú shū guǎn yīng gāi wǎng nǎ biān zǒu？ wǒ tīng shuō zài xué xiào páng biān， kě shì bù zhī dào jù tǐ zěn yàng zǒu。

Excuse me, which way is the library? I heard it is near the school but do not know the exact route.

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
怎样

Select a character to practice writing.

HSK 2Expressions and idioms
什么样
shénmeyàng

English meaning
what kind

Examples and usage
那么，先问清楚。这边今天关着。你可以问开放的门是什么样的，再确认这么走对不对，不用怕问得多。nà me， xiān wèn qīng chu。 zhè biān jīn tiān guān zhe。 nǐ kě yǐ wèn kāi fàng de mén shì shén me yàng de， zài què rèn zhè me zǒu duì bù duì， bù yòng pà wèn de duō。

Then clarify first. This side is closed today. Ask what the open entrance looks like and confirm your route; questions are welcome.

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
什么样

Select a character to practice writing.

HSK 2Expressions and idioms
这么
zhème

English meaning
so; in this way

Examples and usage
那么，先问清楚。这边今天关着。你可以问开放的门是什么样的，再确认这么走对不对，不用怕问得多。nà me， xiān wèn qīng chu。 zhè biān jīn tiān guān zhe。 nǐ kě yǐ wèn kāi fàng de mén shì shén me yàng de， zài què rèn zhè me zǒu duì bù duì， bù yòng pà wèn de duō。

Then clarify first. This side is closed today. Ask what the open entrance looks like and confirm your route; questions are welcome.

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
这么

Select a character to practice writing.

HSK 2Expressions and idioms
这样
zhèyàng

English meaning
in this way

Examples and usage
先向前走，看到像一本书那样的大门，再往右。地图上这样画，是为了让人容易找到。xiān xiàng qián zǒu， kàn dào xiàng yī běn shū nà yàng de dà mén， zài wǎng yòu。 dì tú shàng zhè yàng huà， shì wèi le ràng rén róng yì zhǎo dào。

Go forward, then turn right at the gate shaped like a book. The map draws it that way to make it easier to find.

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
这样

Select a character to practice writing.

HSK 2Expressions and idioms
那么
nàme

English meaning
then; in that way

Examples and usage
那么，先问清楚。这边今天关着。你可以问开放的门是什么样的，再确认这么走对不对，不用怕问得多。nà me， xiān wèn qīng chu。 zhè biān jīn tiān guān zhe。 nǐ kě yǐ wèn kāi fàng de mén shì shén me yàng de， zài què rèn zhè me zǒu duì bù duì， bù yòng pà wèn de duō。

Then clarify first. This side is closed today. Ask what the open entrance looks like and confirm your route; questions are welcome.

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
那么

Select a character to practice writing.

HSK 2Expressions and idioms
那样
nàyàng

English meaning
in that way

Examples and usage
先向前走，看到像一本书那样的大门，再往右。地图上这样画，是为了让人容易找到。xiān xiàng qián zǒu， kàn dào xiàng yī běn shū nà yàng de dà mén， zài wǎng yòu。 dì tú shàng zhè yàng huà， shì wèi le ràng rén róng yì zhǎo dào。

Go forward, then turn right at the gate shaped like a book. The map draws it that way to make it easier to find.

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
那样

Select a character to practice writing.

HSK 2Expressions and idioms
意思
yì si

English meaning
meaning

Examples and usage
不好意思，请问去图书馆应该往哪边走？我听说在学校旁边，可是不知道具体怎样走。bù hǎo yì si， qǐng wèn qù tú shū guǎn yīng gāi wǎng nǎ biān zǒu？ wǒ tīng shuō zài xué xiào páng biān， kě shì bù zhī dào jù tǐ zěn yàng zǒu。

Excuse me, which way is the library? I heard it is near the school but do not know the exact route.

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
意思

Select a character to practice writing.

HSK 2Expressions and idioms
为什么
wèi shénme

English meaning
why

Examples and usage
你说的是什么意思？我好像看见两个门。为什么不能从这边进，如果走错了怎么办？nǐ shuō de shì shén me yì si？ wǒ hǎo xiàng kàn jiàn liǎng gè mén。 wèi shén me bù néng cóng zhè biān jìn， rú guǒ zǒu cuò le zěn me bàn？

What do you mean? I seem to see two gates. Why not enter on this side, and what if I take a wrong turn?

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
为什么

Select a character to practice writing.

HSK 2Time and numbers
怎么办
zěnme bàn

English meaning
what to do

Examples and usage
你说的是什么意思？我好像看见两个门。为什么不能从这边进，如果走错了怎么办？nǐ shuō de shì shén me yì si？ wǒ hǎo xiàng kàn jiàn liǎng gè mén。 wèi shén me bù néng cóng zhè biān jìn， rú guǒ zǒu cuò le zěn me bàn？

What do you mean? I seem to see two gates. Why not enter on this side, and what if I take a wrong turn?

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
怎么办

Select a character to practice writing.

HSK 2Expressions and idioms
问路
wènlù

English meaning
ask directions

Examples and usage
到了门口，她又问今天看书的人多不多、里面怎么样。这次问路，让她越来越敢用中文处理小事情。dào le mén kǒu， tā yòu wèn jīn tiān kàn shū de rén duō bù duō、 lǐ miàn zěn me yàng。 zhè cì wèn lù， ràng tā yuè lái yuè gǎn yòng zhōng wén chǔ lǐ xiǎo shì qing。

At the entrance she asks how busy it is and what it is like inside. Asking directions makes her more confident using Chinese for everyday matters.

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
问路

Select a character to practice writing.

HSK 2Expressions and idioms
听说
tīngshuō

English meaning
hear that

Examples and usage
不好意思，请问去图书馆应该往哪边走？我听说在学校旁边，可是不知道具体怎样走。bù hǎo yì si， qǐng wèn qù tú shū guǎn yīng gāi wǎng nǎ biān zǒu？ wǒ tīng shuō zài xué xiào páng biān， kě shì bù zhī dào jù tǐ zěn yàng zǒu。

Excuse me, which way is the library? I heard it is near the school but do not know the exact route.

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
听说

Select a character to practice writing.

HSK 2Expressions and idioms
好像
hǎoxiàng

English meaning
seem

Examples and usage
你说的是什么意思？我好像看见两个门。为什么不能从这边进，如果走错了怎么办？nǐ shuō de shì shén me yì si？ wǒ hǎo xiàng kàn jiàn liǎng gè mén。 wèi shén me bù néng cóng zhè biān jìn， rú guǒ zǒu cuò le zěn me bàn？

What do you mean? I seem to see two gates. Why not enter on this side, and what if I take a wrong turn?

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
好像

Select a character to practice writing.

HSK 2Expressions and idioms
像
xiàng

English meaning
resemble

Examples and usage
先向前走，看到像一本书那样的大门，再往右。地图上这样画，是为了让人容易找到。xiān xiàng qián zǒu， kàn dào xiàng yī běn shū nà yàng de dà mén， zài wǎng yòu。 dì tú shàng zhè yàng huà， shì wèi le ràng rén róng yì zhǎo dào。

Go forward, then turn right at the gate shaped like a book. The map draws it that way to make it easier to find.

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
像

Select a character to practice writing.

HSK 2Expressions and idioms
往
wǎng

English meaning
towards

Examples and usage
不好意思，请问去图书馆应该往哪边走？我听说在学校旁边，可是不知道具体怎样走。bù hǎo yì si， qǐng wèn qù tú shū guǎn yīng gāi wǎng nǎ biān zǒu？ wǒ tīng shuō zài xué xiào páng biān， kě shì bù zhī dào jù tǐ zěn yàng zǒu。

Excuse me, which way is the library? I heard it is near the school but do not know the exact route.

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
往

Select a character to practice writing.

HSK 2Expressions and idioms
向
xiàng

English meaning
in the direction of

Examples and usage
先向前走，看到像一本书那样的大门，再往右。地图上这样画，是为了让人容易找到。xiān xiàng qián zǒu， kàn dào xiàng yī běn shū nà yàng de dà mén， zài wǎng yòu。 dì tú shàng zhè yàng huà， shì wèi le ràng rén róng yì zhǎo dào。

Go forward, then turn right at the gate shaped like a book. The map draws it that way to make it easier to find.

Example translations are drafts and may need context corrections.
向

Select a character to practice writing.

Original AI-assisted draft · Awaiting teacher review · Exercise progress is not an exam score.