Chapter in 30 Seconds
Master the art of spatial navigation and describe your world with pinpoint accuracy.
- Specify physical positions between two objects.
- Describe relationships and gaps using abstract location words.
- Calculate and express distances between two points naturally.
Find your way and describe your world with precision.
学べること
Hey there, language adventurer! Ready to seriously level up your Chinese and sound more like a native speaker? You've mastered naming things, but now it's time to tell people *exactly where* those things are and *how far* apart they are! This chapter is your key to unlocking real-world navigation and descriptive power, making your Chinese smooth and practical. You'll dive into five crucial location words that will transform how you describe your surroundings and give directions. First, we'll learn «中间» (zhōngjiān) to indicate something is *between* two items, like
My phone is in the middle of the two books.Then, «之间» (zhījiān) defines the actual *space* between things, be it physical distance or an abstract relationship – think
the gap between two buildings.For saying something is
across from or opposite another object, «对面» (duìmiàn) is your best friend. Confidently say, The cafe is across from the bus station.And to express
nearby, Chinese uses «X + 附近» (fùjìn), meaning in the vicinity of X,making your speech incredibly natural. Finally, «离» (lí) is essential for expressing *distance* between two points. This word empowers you to ask,
How far is it?or state,
My house is far from hereor "It's nearby.
Why does this matter? Picture yourself lost in Beijing, asking for directions. Or meeting a friend at a bustling restaurant, needing to say,I'm opposite the main entrance." These words are your navigation superpowers! By completing this chapter, you'll master location! You'll effortlessly navigate Chinese cities, give precise addresses, and clearly describe any place. Ready to use Chinese with confidence in the real world? Let's go!
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距離の表現：离 (lí) を使った「～から離れて」2つの地点や時間の「静止した間隔」を測るには «离» を使いましょう。 «近» や «远» とセットで覚えるのがコツです。
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真ん中・間：場所名詞 (中间 zhōngjiān)説明したい対象を先に言ってから、最後に «中间» を添えるのがコツです。 «A 和 B 中间» や «人群中间» のように使いましょう。
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場所の言葉：向かい側 ({对面|duìmiàn})基準になる場所を先に置いてから «对面» をつけるのが一番のポイント！「向かい側」や「目の前」を伝える «对面» を使いこなそう。
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場所の言葉：之间 (zhījiān) - 〜の間「之间 (zhījiān)」は、離れた2つのポイントの「あいだ」にある空間や時間、関係性を表す魔法の言葉だよ。«A 和 B 之间» という形を覚えよう！
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「近く」の言い方：附近 (fùjìn)「〜の近く」を直訳しようとせず、「場所 + «附近»」の順番でセットにするのが自然に聞こえるコツです。 «場所の後ろ» «広い範囲» «名詞扱い»
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
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1
By the end you will be able to: Identify and describe objects located physically between two other items using 中间 (zhōngjiān).
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2
By the end you will be able to: Differentiate between physical and abstract 'between' using 之间 (zhījiān).
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3
By the end you will be able to: Give directions to buildings located across the street using 对面 (duìmiàn).
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4
By the end you will be able to: Describe local amenities in your vicinity using 附近 (fùjìn).
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5
By the end you will be able to: Quantify the distance between two geographical points using the 离 (lí) structure.
チャプターガイド
Overview
Hey there, language adventurer! Ready to seriously level up your Chinese and sound more like a native speaker? This chapter,
Navigating Your Surroundings, is your key to unlocking real-world descriptive power.You've mastered naming things, but now it's time to tell people *exactly where* those things are and *how far* apart they are! This guide is designed for B1 Chinese learners, helping you transition from basic communication to more nuanced and precise descriptions of your environment. Mastering these Chinese grammar points will significantly boost your confidence and practical skills.
Why does this matter? Picture yourself lost in Beijing, asking for directions, or trying to meet a friend at a bustling restaurant, needing to say, "I'm opposite the main entrance." These aren't just academic exercises; they are your navigation superpowers! This chapter introduces five crucial Chinese location words and structures that will transform how you describe your surroundings and give directions.
You'll learn how to say something is
in the middle, between, across from, nearby, and express distance using away from.By completing this chapter, you'll master Chinese location descriptions! You'll effortlessly navigate Chinese cities, give precise addresses, and clearly describe any place, making your B1 Chinese vocabulary truly functional. These essential Chinese grammar B1 concepts are fundamental for everyday interactions and will make your Chinese smooth and practical.
Ready to use Chinese with confidence in the real world? Let's go!
How This Grammar Works
This chapter focuses on five essential Chinese location words and structures that are crucial for describing your surroundings and giving directions.
First, we have 中间 (zhōngjiān), which means
in the middle or between two items. It often follows a noun or a phrase indicating the items. For example, to say your phone is between two books, you would say: 我的手机在两本书中间。(Wǒ de shǒujī zài liǎng běn shū zhōngjiān.) - My phone is in the middle of the two books. It specifies a precise location *within* or *among* a few items.Next is 之间 (zhījiān), also meaning
between, but it defines the actual *space* or *relationship* between things, be it physical distance or an abstract connection. It typically follows the items it describes. For instance: 两栋楼之间有一个小花园。(Liǎng dòng lóu zhījiān yǒu yī gè xiǎo huāyuán.) - There is a small garden between the two buildings.It can also refer to abstract relationships, like
friends between us (我们朋友之间).For saying something is
across from or opposite another object, 对面 (duìmiàn) is your best friend. This word is straightforward and usually follows the object it's opposite to. You can confidently say: 咖啡馆在车站对面。(Kāfēiguǎn zài chēzhàn duìmiàn.) - The cafe is across from the bus station.To express
nearby, Chinese uses the structure X + 附近 (fùjìn),meaning
in the vicinity of X.This makes your speech incredibly natural. For example: 我家在学校附近。(Wǒ jiā zài xuéxiào fùjìn.) - My house is near the school. The noun (学校) comes before 附近.
Finally, 离 (lí) is essential for expressing *distance* between two points. This word empowers you to ask,
How far is it?or state,
My house is far from here.The structure is usually A 离 B + distance/adjective. For instance: 我家离公司很远。(Wǒ jiā lí gōngsī hěn yuǎn.) - My house is far from the company.
Or: 地铁站离这里很近。(Dìtiězhàn lí zhèlǐ hěn jìn.) - The subway station is very close to here. This structure is fundamental for discussing proximity in B1 Chinese.
Common Mistakes
- 1✗ Wrong: 我的手机在两本书之间。(Wǒ de shǒujī zài liǎng běn shū zhījiān.)
✓ Correct: 我的手机在两本书中间。(Wǒ de shǒujī zài liǎng běn shū zhōngjiān.)
*Explanation:* 中间 (zhōngjiān) is used for a specific item located *within* or *among* other items, implying a specific central point. 之间 (zhījiān) refers to the *space* or *relationship* *between* things, not the location of a single item.
- 1✗ Wrong: 附近我家有一个公园。(Fùjìn wǒ jiā yǒu yī gè gōngyuán.)
✓ Correct: 我家附近有一个公园。(Wǒ jiā fùjìn yǒu yī gè gōngyuán.)
*Explanation:* 附近 (fùjìn) acts as a noun phrase modifier or a postposition, meaning
in the vicinity of X.The noun it refers to (e.g., 我家) should come *before* 附近.
- 1✗ Wrong: 我家离很远公司。(Wǒ jiā lí hěn yuǎn gōngsī.)
✓ Correct: 我家离公司很远。(Wǒ jiā lí gōngsī hěn yuǎn.)
*Explanation:* The structure for 离 (lí) is A 离 B + distance/adjective. The second location (公司) must come directly after 离, not after the adjective (很远).
Real Conversations
A
A
请问，银行在哪里？ (Qǐngwèn, yínháng zài nǎlǐ?) (Excuse me, where is the bank?)
B
B
银行就在公园对面。(Yínháng jiù zài gōngyuán duìmiàn.) (The bank is just across from the park.)
A
A
你家离学校远吗？ (Nǐ jiā lí xuéxiào yuǎn ma?) (Is your house far from school?)
B
B
不远，我家离学校很近，走路五分钟就到了。(Bù yuǎn, wǒ jiā lí xuéxiào hěn jìn, zǒulù wǔ fēnzhōng jiù dào le.) (Not far, my house is very close to school, it takes only five minutes to walk there.)
A
A
我们在哪儿见面？ (Wǒmen zài nǎr jiànmiàn?) (Where shall we meet?)
B
B
我在书店和咖啡馆中间等你。(Wǒ zài shūdiàn hé kāfēiguǎn zhōngjiān děng nǐ.) (I'll wait for you between the bookstore and the cafe.)
Quick FAQ
Q
What's the main difference between 中间 (zhōngjiān) and 之间 (zhījiān) in Chinese grammar?
中间 (zhōngjiān) usually refers to a specific object's location *in the center* or *among* a small number of items. 之间 (zhījiān) refers to the *space* or *relationship* *between* two or more entities, often a more abstract concept or the general area.
Q
How do I ask
how far is itin B1 Chinese?
You can ask
A 离 B 有多远？(A lí B yǒu duō yuǎn?)or simply
这里离火车站远吗？(Zhèlǐ lí huǒchēzhàn yuǎn ma?)(Is it far from here to the train station?).
Q
Can 附近 (fùjìn) be used without a preceding noun?
Yes, it can. For instance, if the context is clear, you can say
就在附近。(Jiù zài fùjìn.)meaning "It's just nearby,
or 这附近有商店吗？(Zhè fùjìn yǒu shāngdiàn ma?)" (Are there shops nearby?).
Q
Is 离 (lí) always used with 很远 (hěn yuǎn) or 很近 (hěn jìn)?
While 很远 and 很近 are very common, 离 (lí) can also be used with specific distances, like
我家离公司五公里。(Wǒ jiā lí gōngsī wǔ gōnglǐ.)(My house is five kilometers from the company.)
Cultural Context
In China, giving and receiving directions is a very common and practical use of these Chinese location words. Native speakers often use landmarks rather than street names, so being able to say
across from the big supermarketor
next to the bankis far more useful than knowing obscure street names. Precision in description, using words like 对面, 附近, and 中间, helps avoid confusion in bustling cities.
When asking for directions, don't be surprised if locals use hand gestures extensively to complement their verbal instructions, highlighting the importance of clear spatial language.
ヒントとコツ (4)
⚠️
動かないで！
「离」は地図をじっと眺めているイメージです。もし場所から「外へ」移動しているなら「从」を使いましょう。 «从北京去上海。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 距離の表現：离 (lí) を使った「～から離れて」
💡
「的」は省略してもOK！
カジュアルな会話では「的」を抜くのが自然です。 «书和电脑中间» と言う方が、毎回「的」を入れるよりネイティブっぽく聞こえますよ。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 真ん中・間：場所名詞 (中间 zhōngjiān)
🎯
「鏡」のような関係
AがBの向かいなら、BもAの向かいだよね。この対称な関係を意識して！ «超市在銀行对面。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 場所の言葉：向かい側 ({对面|duìmiàn})
💡
「架け橋」をイメージして！
「之间」は単なる点ではなく、2つの場所を結ぶ橋のようなイメージだよ。例えば： «北京和上海之间。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 場所の言葉：之间 (zhījiān) - 〜の間
重要な語彙 (7)
书店(shūdiàn)
bookstore
银行(yínháng)
bank
咖啡馆(kāfēiguǎn)
cafe
建筑(jiànzhù)
building
距离(jùlí)
distance
超市(chāoshì)
supermarket
公里(gōnglǐ)
kilometer
Real-World Preview
coffee
Finding the Hidden Cafe
Review Summary
- A + 在 + B 和 C + 中间
- A 和 B + 之间
- A + 在 + B + 对面
- Place + 附近
- A + 离 + B + (很远/很近/Distance)
よくある間違い
Learners often use 从 (cóng - from) to express distance, but in Chinese, 离 (lí) is the specific preposition required for static distance between two points.
Wrong:
我从学校很远。(Wǒ cóng xuéxiào hěn yuǎn.)
正解:
我离学校很远。(Wǒ lí xuéxiào hěn yuǎn.)
Nearby (附近) acts as a post-position. You must say the location first, then 'nearby'.
Wrong:
附近我的家有一个公园。(Fùjìn wǒ de jiā yǒu yī gè gōngyuán.)
正解:
我家附近有一个公园。(Wǒ jiā fùjìn yǒu yī gè gōngyuán.)
While 'zhījiān' is technically 'between', 'zhōngjiān' is much more natural for the physical 'middle' position of objects.
Wrong:
书店在银行和超市之间。(Shūdiàn zài yínháng hé chāoshì zhījiān.)
正解:
书店在银行和超市中间。(Shūdiàn zài yínháng hé chāoshì zhōngjiān.)
このチャプターのルール (5)
Next Steps
You've just built a solid foundation for navigating any Chinese-speaking environment. Keep practicing these spatial relationships, and soon they will feel like second nature!
Map Walk
Neighborhood Sketch
クイック練習 (3)
「中间」の位置が正しい文章を選んでください。
文法的に正しいものを選びましょう：
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我在两个朋友中间。
«中间» は常に説明対象となる名詞の「後」に置きます。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 真ん中・間：場所名詞 (中间 zhōngjiān)
「テーブルと椅子の間」と言うために、空欄を埋めてください。
{桌子|zhuōzi} ___ {椅子|yǐzi} {中间|zhōngjiān}。
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 和
境界となる2つのものを繋ぐには «和» (〜と) や «跟» を使います。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 真ん中・間：場所名詞 (中间 zhōngjiān)
この文章の間違いを直してください。
{咖啡店|kāfēidiàn} {在|zài} {中间|zhōngjiān} {书店|shūdiàn} {和|hé} {花店|huādiàn}。
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 咖啡店在书店和花店中间。
語順は [場所] 在 [A と B] 中间 となります。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 真ん中・間：場所名詞 (中间 zhōngjiān)
Score: /3
よくある質問 (6)
いいえ、中国語では基準となる場所を先に言います。 «离 这里 很 远» （ここから離れている [のは] とても遠い）という語順になります。
はい！カウントダウンにぴったりです。 «离 新年 还有 一 周» （新年まであと1週間です）。
実は「真夜中」は «半夜» (bànyè) を使います。 «中间» は「学期の途中」のように、ある期間の合間を指すのに適しています。 «学期中间» のように言います。
«中心» (zhōngxīn) は「中心部」や「心臓部」を指し、ショッピングセンターなどに使われます。 «中间» は単純に物と物の間のスペースを指すことが多いです。
中国語では「方位詞」という名詞の仲間だよ。だから «学校对面» のように場所の後に置くんだ。
ダメだよ。 «对» は「正しい」や「〜に対して」という意味になっちゃう。場所なら «对面» と言おう。
