R: Ok here we are again in our Taxi Adventures. Wo Shi Raymond
Y: wo shi Yajie. And we’ve got some more crazy taxi for you today.
R: This taxi isn’t as bad as last times, but how can he drive with his eyes closed!
Y: Well we’ll find out how these things keep on happening.
R: But first the key words of the day.

Key Words of the Day
Turn Left 左拐 Turn Right右拐 Go straight 直走 Is it far from here? 离这儿远吗？
All in Chinese Studio。

Y: Ok we need to find out what’s going on here. I think we need to take control of this situation.
R: Ya I have to find out how to say Turn left, turn right, go straight!
Y: One thing at a time. Firstly, turn left in Chinese is: zuo2 guai3,
R: zuo2 guai3,
Y: zuo3, the left side,
R: zuo3,
Y: guai3 is to take a turn,
R:  guai3,
Y: so you may notice that both zuo3 and guai3 are in the third tone,
R: yes, then how come “zuo3” become the second tone?
Y: That’s how it works in pinyin…. When two characters of third tone are put together, the first third tone becomes the second tone.
R: got it. How do you say turn left again?
Y: it’s zuo2 guai3, 
R: zuo2 guai3, turn left.  Then what’s the Chinese for right?
Y: it’s you4.
R: it’s easier. Like you in English.
Y: then can you guess what’s the Chinese for “Turn right”?
R: is it you4 guai3?
Y: very good. You4 guai3, Turn right. 

Conversation 1
A: 师傅，在前面红绿灯那儿左拐。
B: 前面好像不让左拐。
A: 那就右拐吧。

R: Now I would like to know the Chinese for “Go straight”? Does it have something to do with “guai3”
Y: No, this time we have different Chinese words for “Go straight”. You can say: zhi2 zou3.
R: zhi2 zou3.
Y: zhi2 literally means straight, and zou3 is to go,
R: so zhi2 zou3 literally are “Straight Go.” in Chinese,
Y: yes. zhi2 zou3,
R: zhi2 zou3, go straight.

Conversation 2
A: 然后怎么走？
B: 直走。大约再过半个小时就到了。

Y: My waist hurts but we’d better find out how much longer.
R: Ya mine too. I mean we’ve been here for a really long time.
Y: Alright, now it’s the right time for you to learn: is it far from here?
R: quickly, tell me.
Y: here it is: li2 zhe4er yuan3 ma?
R: li2 zhe4er yuan3 ma?
Y: li2 means be away from,
R: li2,
Y: zhe4er is here,
R: zhe4er, 
Y: yuan3 is far,
R: yuan3, 
Y: the syllable ma is put at the end of a question,
R: ma, 
Y: li2 zhe4er yuan3 ma?
R: li2 zhe4er yuan3 ma?  Is it far from here?

Conversation 3
A:离这儿远吗？
B: 快到了。

Key Words Reminder
 Turn Left 左拐 Turn Right右拐 Go straight 直走Is it far from here? 离这儿远吗？
All in Chinese Studio。