1. 位置与方向介词 Location, Origin & Destination | Where Things Are and Where They Go
Learning focus: Learn location, origin, and destination prepositions for saying where things are and where they go: 在, 从, 到, 往, 朝, 沿.
1. Vocabulary List
Prepositions for location, origin, destination, and direction of movement.
■ 初级 Beginner = core words for this topic
■ 进阶 Advanced = higher-level words
Beginner
在
at / in / on
location
location
Beginner
从
from
origin
origin
Beginner
到
to
arrive at
arrive at
Beginner
往
toward
direction of movement
direction of movement
Advanced
朝
facing / toward
physical direction
physical direction
Advanced
沿
along
road / river / path
road / river / path
2. Key Distinctions
The main differences between location, origin, destination, and direction prepositions.
在
zài
zài
location before verb
Marks where an action takes place. The location phrase comes before the verb.
✅ 我在图书馆学习。
Wǒ zài túshūguǎn xuéxí.
I study in the library.
❌ 我学习在图书馆。
Wǒ zài túshūguǎn xuéxí.
I study in the library.
❌ 我学习在图书馆。
从
cóng
cóng
from + origin
Marks the starting point or origin of movement.
✅ 我从北京来。
Wǒ cóng Běijīng lái.
I come from Beijing.
❌ 我来从北京。
Wǒ cóng Běijīng lái.
I come from Beijing.
❌ 我来从北京。
到
dào
dào
to + destination
Marks destination. It can also show reaching a result point after movement.
他到学校去了。
Tā dào xuéxiào qù le.
He went to school.
走到门口。
Zǒu dào ménkǒu.
Walk until reaching the door.
Tā dào xuéxiào qù le.
He went to school.
走到门口。
Zǒu dào ménkǒu.
Walk until reaching the door.
往
wǎng
wǎng
toward + direction + verb
Shows direction of movement. Very common in giving directions.
往左走。
Wǎng zuǒ zǒu.
Walk to the left.
Wǎng zuǒ zǒu.
Walk to the left.
朝
cháo
cháo
facing / physically toward
Often describes physical orientation, facing direction, or movement toward someone/something.
他朝我笑。
Tā cháo wǒ xiào.
He smiled at me.
朝南走。
Cháo nán zǒu.
Walk south.
Tā cháo wǒ xiào.
He smiled at me.
朝南走。
Cháo nán zǒu.
Walk south.
沿 / 向
yán / xiàng
yán / xiàng
along / toward
沿 means following a path. 向 is similar to 朝, but also used in requests and greetings.
沿河边走。
Yán hébiān zǒu.
Walk along the river.
向老师问好。
Xiàng lǎoshī wènhǎo.
Greet the teacher.
Yán hébiān zǒu.
Walk along the river.
向老师问好。
Xiàng lǎoshī wènhǎo.
Greet the teacher.
3. Dialogue One: Asking for Directions
Focus: 在 / 从 / 到 / 往
A
请问，图书馆怎么走？
B
我们现在在学校门口。你往前走两百米，到路口向右转。
A
从路口走多远？
B
不远，从路口到图书馆大概五分钟。
请问，图书馆怎么走？
Excuse me, how do I get to the library?
Word-by-word
请问 = excuse me / may I ask ·
图书馆 = library ·
怎么走 = how to get there / how to walk
我们现在在学校门口。
We are now at the school gate.
Word-by-word
我们 = we ·
现在 = now ·
在 = at ·
学校门口 = school gate
你往前走两百米，到路口向右转。
Walk forward 200 meters, and when you reach the intersection, turn right.
Word-by-word
往前走 = walk forward ·
两百米 = 200 meters ·
到路口 = reach the intersection ·
向右转 = turn right
从路口走多远？
How far is it from the intersection?
Word-by-word
从 = from ·
路口 = intersection ·
走多远 = walk how far
不远，从路口到图书馆大概五分钟。
It is not far. From the intersection to the library is about five minutes.
Word-by-word
不远 = not far ·
从路口到图书馆 = from the intersection to the library ·
大概 = about ·
五分钟 = five minutes
4. Dialogue Two: Describing a Journey
Focus: 朝 / 沿 / 从 / 到
A
你们怎么去的山顶？
B
沿山路一直走，大概走了两小时。
A
路好走吗？
B
还可以，一直朝上走就行，不会迷路。
A
从山脚到山顶累不累？
B
有点累，但风景很好。下山我们沿另一条路走的，更快。
你们怎么去的山顶？
How did you get to the top of the mountain?
Word-by-word
你们 = you all ·
怎么去的 = how did you go ·
山顶 = mountain top
沿山路一直走，大概走了两小时。
We walked along the mountain road the whole way, for about two hours.
Word-by-word
沿山路 = along the mountain road ·
一直走 = keep walking / walk continuously ·
大概 = about ·
走了两小时 = walked for two hours
还可以，一直朝上走就行，不会迷路。
It was okay. Just keep walking upward, and you won’t get lost.
Word-by-word
还可以 = okay / not bad ·
一直朝上走 = keep walking upward ·
就行 = that is enough ·
不会迷路 = won’t get lost
从山脚到山顶累不累？
Was it tiring from the foot of the mountain to the top?
Word-by-word
从山脚到山顶 = from the foot of the mountain to the top ·
累不累 = tiring or not
有点累，但风景很好。下山我们沿另一条路走的，更快。
It was a little tiring, but the scenery was beautiful. On the way down, we took another road, which was faster.
Word-by-word
有点累 = a little tiring ·
风景很好 = the scenery was beautiful ·
下山 = go down the mountain ·
沿另一条路走 = walk along another road ·
更快 = faster
5. Learner Notes
These rules help students avoid common word-order and direction mistakes.
💡 Word order — the most important rule
In Chinese, preposition phrases usually come before the verb, not after.
✅ 我在北京住了三年。（wǒ zài Běijīng zhù le sān nián）= I lived in Beijing for three years.
❌ 我住了三年在北京。
This is the opposite of English word order and is one of the most common structural errors for learners.
✅ 我在北京住了三年。（wǒ zài Běijīng zhù le sān nián）= I lived in Beijing for three years.
❌ 我住了三年在北京。
This is the opposite of English word order and is one of the most common structural errors for learners.
❗ 在 — location vs action
在 marks where an action takes place.
✅ 我在家工作。（wǒ zài jiā gōngzuò）= I work at home.
✅ 我在图书馆看书。（wǒ zài túshūguǎn kàn shū）= I read in the library.
❌ 我看书在图书馆。
在 can also mark existence: 他在吗？（tā zài ma）= Is he here?
✅ 我在家工作。（wǒ zài jiā gōngzuò）= I work at home.
✅ 我在图书馆看书。（wǒ zài túshūguǎn kàn shū）= I read in the library.
❌ 我看书在图书馆。
在 can also mark existence: 他在吗？（tā zài ma）= Is he here?
📝 往 vs 朝 — direction
往 indicates the direction of movement.
往北走。（wǎng běi zǒu）= Walk north.
朝 indicates physical orientation or facing direction.
朝南开的窗户。（cháo nán kāi de chuānghu）= a window facing south.
他朝我走来。（tā cháo wǒ zǒu lái）= He walked toward me.
往 is more about the path taken; 朝 is more about the direction faced.
往北走。（wǎng běi zǒu）= Walk north.
朝 indicates physical orientation or facing direction.
朝南开的窗户。（cháo nán kāi de chuānghu）= a window facing south.
他朝我走来。（tā cháo wǒ zǒu lái）= He walked toward me.
往 is more about the path taken; 朝 is more about the direction faced.
6. Practice
Choose the right preposition and practise describing location, origin, destination, and direction.
Practice 1: Choose the correct word
Choose the best preposition to fill in each blank. Some questions may have more than one possible answer.
Word Bank
在 zài = at / in / on ·
从 cóng = from ·
到 dào = to / arrive at ·
往 wǎng = toward ·
朝 cháo = facing / toward ·
沿 yán = along
Questions
1. 我们现在 ___ 学校门口。
Wǒmen xiànzài ___ xuéxiào ménkǒu.
2. 你 ___ 前走两百米。
Nǐ ___ qián zǒu liǎng bǎi mǐ.
3. ___ 路口 ___ 图书馆大概五分钟。
___ lùkǒu ___ túshūguǎn dàgài wǔ fēnzhōng.
4. 我们 ___ 山路一直走。
Wǒmen ___ shānlù yìzhí zǒu.
5. 一直 ___ 上走就行。
Yìzhí ___ shàng zǒu jiù xíng.
Wǒmen xiànzài ___ xuéxiào ménkǒu.
2. 你 ___ 前走两百米。
Nǐ ___ qián zǒu liǎng bǎi mǐ.
3. ___ 路口 ___ 图书馆大概五分钟。
___ lùkǒu ___ túshūguǎn dàgài wǔ fēnzhōng.
4. 我们 ___ 山路一直走。
Wǒmen ___ shānlù yìzhí zǒu.
5. 一直 ___ 上走就行。
Yìzhí ___ shàng zǒu jiù xíng.
Show Answers
Answers
1. 我们现在在学校门口。
Wǒmen xiànzài zài xuéxiào ménkǒu.
We are now at the school gate.
Best choice: 在 — marks location.
2. 你往前走两百米。
Nǐ wǎng qián zǒu liǎng bǎi mǐ.
Walk forward 200 meters.
Best choice: 往 — direction of movement.
3. 从路口到图书馆大概五分钟。
Cóng lùkǒu dào túshūguǎn dàgài wǔ fēnzhōng.
From the intersection to the library is about five minutes.
Best choice: 从…到… — from origin to destination.
4. 我们沿山路一直走。
Wǒmen yán shānlù yìzhí zǒu.
We walked along the mountain road the whole way.
Best choice: 沿 — following a road or path.
5. 一直朝 / 往上走就行。
Yìzhí cháo / wǎng shàng zǒu jiù xíng.
Just keep walking upward.
Best choice: 朝 — emphasizes direction faced; 往 is also natural for movement direction.
Wǒmen xiànzài zài xuéxiào ménkǒu.
We are now at the school gate.
Best choice: 在 — marks location.
2. 你往前走两百米。
Nǐ wǎng qián zǒu liǎng bǎi mǐ.
Walk forward 200 meters.
Best choice: 往 — direction of movement.
3. 从路口到图书馆大概五分钟。
Cóng lùkǒu dào túshūguǎn dàgài wǔ fēnzhōng.
From the intersection to the library is about five minutes.
Best choice: 从…到… — from origin to destination.
4. 我们沿山路一直走。
Wǒmen yán shānlù yìzhí zǒu.
We walked along the mountain road the whole way.
Best choice: 沿 — following a road or path.
5. 一直朝 / 往上走就行。
Yìzhí cháo / wǎng shàng zǒu jiù xíng.
Just keep walking upward.
Best choice: 朝 — emphasizes direction faced; 往 is also natural for movement direction.
Practice 2: Answer the question
Learn the patterns and try to answer.
Questions
你们现在在哪里？
Nǐmen xiànzài zài nǎlǐ? — Where are you now?
图书馆怎么走？
Túshūguǎn zěnme zǒu? — How do I get to the library?
从路口到图书馆要多久？
Cóng lùkǒu dào túshūguǎn yào duōjiǔ? — How long does it take from the intersection to the library?
你们怎么去的山顶？
Nǐmen zěnme qù de shāndǐng? — How did you get to the top of the mountain?
Nǐmen xiànzài zài nǎlǐ? — Where are you now?
图书馆怎么走？
Túshūguǎn zěnme zǒu? — How do I get to the library?
从路口到图书馆要多久？
Cóng lùkǒu dào túshūguǎn yào duōjiǔ? — How long does it take from the intersection to the library?
你们怎么去的山顶？
Nǐmen zěnme qù de shāndǐng? — How did you get to the top of the mountain?
Show Possible Answers
Possible Answers
你们现在在哪里？
→ 我们现在在学校门口。（Wǒmen xiànzài zài xuéxiào ménkǒu. — We are now at the school gate.）
图书馆怎么走？
→ 你往前走两百米，到路口向右转。（Nǐ wǎng qián zǒu liǎng bǎi mǐ, dào lùkǒu xiàng yòu zhuǎn. — Walk forward 200 meters, and when you reach the intersection, turn right.）
从路口到图书馆要多久？
→ 从路口到图书馆大概五分钟。（Cóng lùkǒu dào túshūguǎn dàgài wǔ fēnzhōng. — From the intersection to the library is about five minutes.）
你们怎么去的山顶？
→ 我们沿山路一直走，大概走了两小时。（Wǒmen yán shānlù yìzhí zǒu, dàgài zǒu le liǎng xiǎoshí. — We walked along the mountain road the whole way, for about two hours.）
→ 一直朝上走就行，不会迷路。（Yìzhí cháo shàng zǒu jiù xíng, bú huì mílù. — Just keep walking upward, and you won’t get lost.）
→ 我们现在在学校门口。（Wǒmen xiànzài zài xuéxiào ménkǒu. — We are now at the school gate.）
图书馆怎么走？
→ 你往前走两百米，到路口向右转。（Nǐ wǎng qián zǒu liǎng bǎi mǐ, dào lùkǒu xiàng yòu zhuǎn. — Walk forward 200 meters, and when you reach the intersection, turn right.）
从路口到图书馆要多久？
→ 从路口到图书馆大概五分钟。（Cóng lùkǒu dào túshūguǎn dàgài wǔ fēnzhōng. — From the intersection to the library is about five minutes.）
你们怎么去的山顶？
→ 我们沿山路一直走，大概走了两小时。（Wǒmen yán shānlù yìzhí zǒu, dàgài zǒu le liǎng xiǎoshí. — We walked along the mountain road the whole way, for about two hours.）
→ 一直朝上走就行，不会迷路。（Yìzhí cháo shàng zǒu jiù xíng, bú huì mílù. — Just keep walking upward, and you won’t get lost.）
Practice 3: Say it yourself
Say three simple sentences using today’s prepositions.
Speaking Prompt
Use these sentence starters:
1. 我在……
Wǒ zài...
I am at / in...
2. 从……到……
Cóng... dào...
from... to...
3. 往 / 朝……走
Wǎng / cháo... zǒu
walk toward...
1. 我在……
Wǒ zài...
I am at / in...
2. 从……到……
Cóng... dào...
from... to...
3. 往 / 朝……走
Wǎng / cháo... zǒu
walk toward...
Show Example Answer
Example Answer
我在图书馆学习。
Wǒ zài túshūguǎn xuéxí.
I study in the library.
从学校到图书馆大概五分钟。
Cóng xuéxiào dào túshūguǎn dàgài wǔ fēnzhōng.
From the school to the library is about five minutes.
你往前走，然后向右转。
Nǐ wǎng qián zǒu, ránhòu xiàng yòu zhuǎn.
Walk forward, then turn right.
Wǒ zài túshūguǎn xuéxí.
I study in the library.
从学校到图书馆大概五分钟。
Cóng xuéxiào dào túshūguǎn dàgài wǔ fēnzhōng.
From the school to the library is about five minutes.
你往前走，然后向右转。
Nǐ wǎng qián zǒu, ránhòu xiàng yòu zhuǎn.
Walk forward, then turn right.