§ Don't Say 'Turn Left' or 'Turn Right' with Just 拐弯
Many English speakers learning Chinese try to directly translate "turn left" or "turn right" using only 拐弯. While 拐弯 means "to turn a corner," it doesn't specify direction on its own. If you just say 拐弯, people will understand you mean to turn, but they won't know which way! You need to add a direction word.
- Wrong
- 你应该拐弯。(Nǐ yīnggāi guǎiwān.)
This sentence literally means "You should turn a corner." It's incomplete because it's missing the direction.
- Right
- 你应该往左拐弯。(Nǐ yīnggāi wǎng zuǒ guǎiwān.)
Here, 往左 (wǎng zuǒ) means "towards the left," making the instruction clear. Similarly, for turning right, you would say 往右 (wǎng yòu).
前面拐弯，然后直走。(Qiánmiàn guǎiwān, ránhòu zhí zǒu.)
(You) turn the corner up ahead, then go straight.
Even in this example, the direction is implied by the context of a general instruction to navigate. If you're giving specific directions, always add the direction.
§ Using 拐弯 for Abstract Turns
While 拐弯 is primarily used for literal turns (like a car turning a corner), it can also be used in a more abstract sense, similar to "turning a corner" in English, meaning a shift or change in a situation. However, this usage is less common for beginners and can sound unnatural if used incorrectly.
- Correct Abstract Use (Advanced)
- 事情终于拐弯了。(Shìqing zhōngyú guǎiwān le.)
(Things finally turned a corner.)
In this context, 拐弯 implies a positive change or improvement in a situation. For A2 learners, it's best to stick to the literal meaning of turning a physical corner.
§ Don't Confuse 拐 and 拐弯
You might hear people just say 拐 (guǎi) instead of 拐弯. While 拐 can mean "to turn" on its own, 拐弯 is more formal and complete. For beginners, using 拐弯 is generally safer and clearer.
拐 (guǎi): This word can mean "to turn," but also "to abduct" or "to limp." Context is key.
拐弯 (guǎiwān): This specifically means "to turn a corner" or "to make a turn." It's less ambiguous.
前方路口拐右。(Qiánfāng lùkǒu guǎi yòu.)
(Turn right at the intersection ahead.)
While this is correct and common in spoken Chinese, as a beginner, using 拐弯 adds clarity and avoids potential misunderstandings, especially if you are not confident with the context.
Beispiele nach Niveau
前面路口请拐弯。
Please turn at the intersection ahead.
公交车在这里拐弯。
The bus turns here.
向右拐弯。
Turn right.
向左拐弯。
Turn left.
这条路拐弯很多。
This road has many turns.
我需要在这条街的尽头拐弯。
I need to turn at the end of this street.
他开车太快，拐弯的时候差点出事。
He was driving too fast and almost had an accident when turning.
走到那棵树，然后拐弯。
Walk to that tree, then turn.
Grammatikmuster
Satzmuster
A + 拐弯
前面要拐弯。
从 A 拐弯
从这里拐弯。
A 拐弯 (方向)
汽车在这里拐弯了。
A 拐弯 + Verb (e.g., 走, 开)
他拐弯走了。
A 拐弯 + 到 + 地点
你往前走，然后在第三个路口拐弯到银行。
A 拐弯 + Direction (e.g., 向左, 向右)
请在前面路口向左拐弯。
A (地点) + 拐弯 + 以后 / 后
从这个街角拐弯以后，你就会看到我的房子。
A (metaphorical) + 拐弯
这个问题需要我们拐个弯来思考。
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Giving or following directions
- 往前走，然后右拐弯。(Wǎng qián zǒu, ránhòu yòu guǎiwān.) Go straight, then turn right.
- 你在下一个路口左拐弯。(Nǐ zài xià yīgè lùkǒu zuǒ guǎiwān.) You turn left at the next intersection.
- 这里不能拐弯。(Zhèlǐ bùnéng guǎiwān.) You can't turn here.
Driving or riding in a vehicle
- 这辆车拐弯太快了。(Zhè liàng chē guǎiwān tài kuài le.) This car turned too fast.
- 司机忘记拐弯了。(Sījī wàngjì guǎiwān le.) The driver forgot to turn.
- 请慢点拐弯。(Qǐng màn diǎn guǎiwān.) Please turn slowly.
Figurative use: changing topic or approach
- 他突然拐弯，换了个话题。(Tā túrán guǎiwān, huàn le gè huàtí.) He suddenly changed tack and brought up another topic.
- 别拐弯抹角，直接说吧。(Bié guǎiwānmòjiǎo, zhíjiē shuō ba.) Don't beat around the bush, just say it directly. (Note: 拐弯抹角 is an idiom meaning 'to beat around the bush')
- 我们的计划需要拐弯。(Wǒmen de jìhuà xūyào guǎiwān.) Our plan needs to change direction/approach.
Physical movement: people or objects turning
- 那个小狗跑过去拐弯了。(Nàge xiǎo gǒu pǎo guòqù guǎiwān le.) That puppy ran past and turned the corner.
- 河流在这里拐弯。(Héliú zài zhèlǐ guǎiwān.) The river turns here.
- 他看到我，就拐弯走了。(Tā kàndào wǒ, jiù guǎiwān zǒu le.) He saw me and then turned and walked away.
Obstacles or sharp turns in a path
- 前面有一个急拐弯。(Qiánmiàn yǒu yīgè jí guǎiwān.) There's a sharp turn ahead.
- 小心，这个拐弯很窄。(Xiǎoxīn, zhège guǎiwān hěn zhǎi.) Be careful, this turn is very narrow.
- 我们需要绕过那个拐弯。(Wǒmen xūyào ràoguò nàge guǎiwān.) We need to go around that bend.
Gesprächseinstiege
"你觉得哪个城市的路最容易拐弯？(Nǐ juédé nǎge chéngshì de lù zuì róngyì guǎiwān?) Which city's roads do you think are the easiest to navigate turns in?"
"你开车的时候喜欢急拐弯还是慢拐弯？(Nǐ kāichē de shíhòu xǐhuān jí guǎiwān háishì màn guǎiwān?) When you drive, do you prefer sharp turns or gradual turns?"
"有没有一次你因为走错路而不得不拐弯？(Yǒu méiyǒu yīcì nǐ yīnwèi zǒu cuò lù ér bùdé bù guǎiwān?) Was there a time you had to turn because you took a wrong road?"
"你觉得生活中有哪些事情是需要“拐弯”来解决的？(Nǐ juédé shēnghuó zhōng yǒu nǎxiē shìqíng shì xūyào “guǎiwān” lái jiějué de?) What things in life do you think require a 'turn' (change of approach) to solve?"
"在你的家乡，有没有一些特别的拐弯路口？(Zài nǐ de jiāxiāng, yǒu méiyǒu yīxiē tèbié de guǎiwān lùkǒu?) Are there any special turning intersections in your hometown?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Describe a time you got lost and had to make many '拐弯' to find your way.
Write about a situation where you had to '拐弯' (change your approach) to achieve a goal.
Imagine you are giving directions to a friend using only '拐弯'. What would you say?
Think about a memorable road trip. Were there any interesting '拐弯' on the way?
Reflect on a time when someone was '拐弯抹角' (beating around the bush) with you. How did you react?
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'请' (qǐng) means 'please'. '在' (zài) indicates location, '前面' (qiánmiàn) means 'front' or 'ahead'. '拐弯' (guǎiwān) means 'turn the corner'. So the sentence means 'Please turn the corner ahead'.
'她' (tā) means 'she'. '喜欢' (xǐhuān) means 'like'. '在' (zài) indicates location, '这里' (zhèlǐ) means 'here'. '拐弯' (guǎiwān) means 'turn the corner'. So the sentence means 'She likes to turn the corner here'.
'你' (nǐ) means 'you'. '应该' (yīnggāi) means 'should'. '向' (xiàng) means 'towards'. '左' (zuǒ) means 'left'. '拐弯' (guǎiwān) means 'turn the corner'. So the sentence means 'You should turn left'.
前面就是路口了，记得要___。
The sentence indicates reaching an intersection and needing to turn.
我们一直往前开，在第三个红绿灯___。
The context implies a direction change at the third traffic light.
你看到那家商店了吗？就在那儿___。
The phrase '就在那儿___' suggests turning at the location of the shop.
司机告诉我，下一个路口向右___。
This sentence refers to the action of turning at an intersection.
如果你错过了这个___，就要绕远路了。
Missing a turn (拐弯) implies taking a longer route.
跟着导航走，它会告诉你什么时候___。
Navigation systems instruct when to turn.
This order correctly translates to 'He turns the corner ahead.'
This order correctly translates to 'Please turn left.'
This order correctly translates to 'Cars cannot turn here.'
Imagine you are giving directions to a friend who is driving. Write a short message telling them to turn right at the next intersection. Use 拐弯.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你到下一个路口就右拐弯。
You are describing a scenic drive to a friend. Write a sentence about a winding mountain road where the car has to turn many corners. Use 拐弯.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这条山路有很多拐弯，开车要小心。
You're telling a story about someone who got lost. Write a sentence explaining that they kept turning corners and couldn't find their way. Use 拐弯.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
他一直拐弯，结果迷路了。
小明在哪儿左拐弯？
Read this passage:
小明正在开车，他要去超市买东西。地图上显示，他需要在一个红绿灯处左拐弯。小明小心地减速，然后按照指示左拐了。
小明在哪儿左拐弯？
文章中明确提到“他需要在一个红绿灯处左拐弯”。
文章中明确提到“他需要在一个红绿灯处左拐弯”。
走到哪里需要拐弯？
Read this passage:
你沿着这条河边的小路一直走，到了一个大石头的地方，你就要向右拐弯。拐弯以后，你就能看到一个美丽的湖。
走到哪里需要拐弯？
文章中写道“到了一个大石头的地方，你就要向右拐弯”。
文章中写道“到了一个大石头的地方，你就要向右拐弯”。
公交车司机提醒乘客什么？
Read this passage:
公交车司机对乘客说：“下一站要拐弯了，请大家站稳扶好。” 乘客们听到后，都抓紧了扶手。
公交车司机提醒乘客什么？
司机说“下一站要拐弯了”。
司机说“下一站要拐弯了”。
This sentence means 'Please turn at the next intersection.' The structure is '请 (please) + 在 (at) + location + 拐弯 (turn a corner)'.
This sentence translates to 'He was driving too fast and almost didn't make the turn at that sharp corner.' The structure is 'subject + 开车太快了 (drove too fast) + 差点没 (almost didn't) + 在 (at) + location + 拐弯 (turn a corner)'.
This sentence means 'You need to go straight until you see a coffee shop, then turn left.' The structure is '你 (you) + 需要 (need to) + 一直走 (go straight) + 直到 (until) + 看到 (see) + location + 然后 (then) + 向 (towards) + direction + 拐弯 (turn a corner)'.
在人生的道路上，我们有时需要勇敢地_______，才能发现新的风景。
这句话用 '拐弯' 比喻人生道路上的方向改变，以发现新的机遇和风景。
面对困境，一味坚持原有思路不_______，只会让自己陷入僵局。
这里 '不拐弯' 指的是不改变策略或思维方式，导致无法解决问题。
他说话总是直来直去，不懂得_______抹角，很容易得罪人。
'拐弯抹角' 是一个成语，形容说话不直接，绕着圈子说，这里用 '拐弯' 来搭配。
这条小巷七_______八拐，初来乍到的人很容易迷路。
'七拐八拐' 形容道路弯弯曲曲，不直。
如果前面的路不通，我们就得想办法_______，另辟蹊径。
这里 '拐弯' 意味着改变方向或方法，寻找新的出路。
在复杂的商业谈判中，有时需要巧妙地_______，才能达到双赢的局面。
在谈判中 '巧妙地拐弯' 指的是灵活应对，不拘泥于固定模式，以达成更好的结果。
她开车技术不好，每次遇到小路口就得______。
这句话的意思是“她开车技术不好，每次遇到小路口就得转弯”。“直走”是go straight，“停车”是stop，“加速”是accelerate。
你走到前面那个红绿灯路口，然后向左______。
这句话的意思是“你走到前面那个红绿灯路口，然后向左转弯”。“直行”是go straight，“掉头”是make a U-turn，“倒车”是reverse。
这里的路很窄，新手司机______的时候要特别小心。
这句话的意思是“这里的路很窄，新手司机转弯的时候要特别小心”。“超车”是overtake，“停车”是park，“并线”是change lanes。
在交通规则中，“拐弯”通常指改变行车方向。
“拐弯”确实是指改变行车方向，这符合交通规则的定义。
当你需要直行时，你可以说“我要拐弯”。
“直行”和“拐弯”是相反的动作，直行是go straight，拐弯是turn a corner，所以不能混用。
在狭窄的街道上，为了安全，司机应该放慢速度再拐弯。
在狭窄的街道上，放慢速度拐弯可以提高安全性，这是常识。
Describe a time you got lost and had to ask for directions. Include how you might use '拐弯' in your explanation.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我上次去一个新地方的时候迷路了，因为导航坏了。我不得不向路人问路，他们告诉我需要在第三个路口往右拐弯，然后一直走就到了。
Imagine you are giving directions to a friend over the phone. Write out a short set of directions that includes at least one instance of '拐弯'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你从地铁站出来后，一直向前走两个街区。在第二个红绿灯路口往左拐弯，你会看到一家咖啡馆，目的地就在咖啡馆旁边。
Write a short paragraph about how urban planning can affect traffic flow, using '拐弯' to describe a specific design feature.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
良好的城市规划对交通流量至关重要。例如，如果一个路口设计得太过急促，司机在拐弯时就会非常困难，这很容易导致交通堵塞。
根据这段文字，中国老城区的街道设计有哪些特点？
Read this passage:
在中国的许多老城区，街道往往比较狭窄，而且有很多急促的拐弯。这种设计虽然保留了历史风貌，但对于现代交通来说，有时会造成不便，尤其是在车辆较多的高峰期。
根据这段文字，中国老城区的街道设计有哪些特点？
文章中明确提到“街道往往比较狭窄，而且有很多急促的拐弯”。
文章中明确提到“街道往往比较狭窄，而且有很多急促的拐弯”。
在山区道路上，司机在拐弯前应该怎么做？
Read this passage:
为了避免交通事故，司机在通过山区道路时需要格外小心。山区道路往往弯道多，视线不佳，因此在每一个拐弯前都应该减速慢行，并注意对向来车。
在山区道路上，司机在拐弯前应该怎么做？
文章指出“在每一个拐弯前都应该减速慢行，并注意对向来车”。
文章指出“在每一个拐弯前都应该减速慢行，并注意对向来车”。
地图导航软件对于司机有什么帮助？
Read this passage:
地图导航软件极大地便利了我们的出行。它不仅能指出最佳路线，还能提前提醒我们哪里需要左拐弯，哪里需要右拐弯，让司机能够提前做好准备。
地图导航软件对于司机有什么帮助？
文章提到导航软件“不仅能指出最佳路线，还能提前提醒我们哪里需要左拐弯，哪里需要右拐弯”。
文章提到导航软件“不仅能指出最佳路线，还能提前提醒我们哪里需要左拐弯，哪里需要右拐弯”。
她总是喜欢在关键时刻出其不意地______。
这里的“拐弯”引申为改变主意或策略，使得句子表达在关键时刻出人意料地改变方向。
在复杂的谈判中，我们需要灵活应对，随时准备______。
“拐弯抹角”在此处指说话或行事不直接，而是迂回地进行，符合谈判中灵活应对的语境。
面对困境，他懂得适时地______，而不是一味地坚持。
此处的“拐弯”意为改变策略或方向，以适应困境，与“一味坚持”相对。
在一次激烈的争论中，如果对方开始“拐弯抹角”，通常意味着他们正在试图缓和气氛或寻找妥协。
“拐弯抹角”在争论中往往表示不直接触及核心问题，而是尝试迂回地解决，这可以是为了缓和紧张局势或寻求共同点。
“人生就像一场旅程，有时需要勇敢地直行，有时也需要果断地拐弯。”这句话中的“拐弯”指的是物理上的转弯。
这句话中的“拐弯”是比喻性的，指的是人生道路上遇到选择或困难时，改变方向或策略，而不是实际的物理转弯。
如果一个人在讲述故事时总是“拐弯”，说明他叙述条理清晰，直奔主题。
“拐弯”在这里引申为说话或叙事不直接，绕圈子，这与“叙述条理清晰，直奔主题”的含义是相反的。
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
