那边
nà biān
Over there · trad. 那邊
那边 (nà biān) is the most common way to say "over there" in Mandarin Chinese. It's used to point to a place or direction that is relatively far from both the speaker and the listener.
What does 那边 (nà biān) mean?
那边 (nà biān) means “over there” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “that side.”
When to use it
Neutral and widely used. It is often interchangeable with 那里 (nà lǐ), which also means "over there" but can sometimes emphasize a specific location more than a general direction. For "over here," use 这边 (zhè biān) or 这里 (zhè lǐ).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "NAH-bee-en." The first syllable "那" is a falling tone, and "边" is a flat tone.
Other ways to say it
- 那里nà liover there (emphasizes location)
- 那边儿nà biānrover there (casual, common in northern China)
Examples
洗手间在那边。
xǐshǒujiān zài nà biān.
The restroom is over there.
你看，那边的风景多美啊！
nǐ kàn, nà biān de fēngjǐng duō měi a!
Look, how beautiful the scenery is over there!
他家就在那边，不远。
tā jiā jiù zài nà biān, bù yuǎn.
His house is just over there, not far.
Pro tip: While 那边 (nà biān) and 那里 (nà lǐ) are often interchangeable, 那边 tends to emphasize a direction or general area, while 那里 can feel more like a specific spot. Both are correct for "over there."
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