Greetings language enthusiasts! If you’re eager to learn how to express the phrase “over there” in Chinese, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore both the formal and informal ways to say “over there” in Chinese, touching upon regional variations when necessary. Throughout the article, you’ll find valuable tips and examples to enhance your understanding. So, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Over There” in Chinese
When speaking formally, Chinese offers a range of expressions to convey the idea of “over there.” Here are a few commonly used phrases:
- 那边 (nà biān): This phrase is the most straightforward and widely used way to say “over there” in Chinese. It is suitable for most situations and can refer to a location that is within sight or nearby. For example:
他的办公室在那边。(Tā de bàngōngshì zài nà biān.)
His office is over there.
那里 (nà lǐ): Comparable to “over there” in English, this expression conveys a similar meaning in Chinese, referring to a place away from the speaker. It can be used formally and is commonly heard in daily conversations. For instance:
商场在那里。(Shāngchǎng zài nà lǐ.)
The mall is over there.
远处 (yuǎn chù): This phrase focuses on emphasizing distance and is used when “over there” refers to a faraway place. It has a slightly more formal tone and is especially suitable for descriptive sentences. Here’s an example:
我家离市中心很远，就在那远处。(Wǒ jiā lí shì zhōngxīn hěn yuǎn, jiù zài nà yuǎn chù.)
My house is far from the city center, it’s just over there in the distance.
Informal Ways to Say “Over There” in Chinese
When speaking in a more casual context, there are additional expressions to choose from. These informal phrases are commonly used among friends, in colloquial conversations, or in everyday situations:
- 那边儿 (nà biān er): The addition of “儿” (er) at the end adds a touch of informality to the phrase. This expression is commonly used in northern regions of China and is often heard in Beijing dialect. Here’s an example:
他的车停在那边儿。(Tā de chē tíng zài nà biān er.)
His car is parked over there.
哪儿 (nǎ er): This informal expression acts as a contraction of “那儿” (nà er). It is widely used and particularly prevalent in casual conversations across various regions. For instance:
你的书包在哪儿？(Nǐ de shū bāo zài nǎ er?)
Where is your backpack?
那会儿 (nà huì er): Adding “会儿” (huì er) to the end adds a temporal connotation, indicating “over there” in the sense of “at that moment” or “at that time.” It is frequently used in informal speech and can refer to a particular time or location. Here’s an example:
我看见他的时候，他就在那会儿。(Wǒ kànjiàn tā de shíhou, tā jiù zài nà huì er.)
When I saw him, he was right over there at that moment.
Regional Variations
While the variations mentioned above will serve you well in most Chinese-speaking regions, it’s worth noting that minor adjustments might be required depending on the local dialect. For instance, in southern China’s Cantonese dialect, you may use the phrase “嗰度” (góu dou) instead of “那边” (nà biān). Similarly, in the Shanghai dialect, you might hear “嗯那边” (nèn nà biān) instead. These variations typically stay within their specific regions and are less commonly understood in other areas where Mandarin is widely spoken.
In summary, the phrases covered in this guide will enable you to skillfully express “over there” in Chinese with the appropriate level of formality depending on the context. Remember, practice makes perfect, so take these phrases and incorporate them into your conversations to solidify your language skills.
Happy learning and may your Chinese language journey be filled with success! 加油！(Jiā yóu!)
