在哪里？
zài nǎli?
Where · trad. 在哪裡？
在哪里？ (Zài nǎlǐ) is a common question word meaning "where?". It is used to ask about the location of a person, object, or place and can attach to almost any noun or verb phrase.
What does 在哪里？ (zài nǎli?) mean?
在哪里？ (zài nǎli?) means “where” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “at where?”
When to use it
Neutral and direct. It can be used in most situations. For a slightly more formal or polite tone, you can add 请问 (qǐngwèn) before it, meaning "May I ask...".
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "ZAI nah-lee". The first word 'zài' is a falling tone, and 'nǎlǐ' has a third tone followed by a neutral tone.
Other ways to say it
- 在哪儿？zài nǎr?where? (common in Northern China)
- 什么地方？shénme dìfang?what place? / where?
- 往哪里走？wǎng nǎli zǒu?which way to go? (asking for directions)
Examples
我的手机在哪里？
wǒde shǒujī zài nǎli?
Where is my phone?
请问，洗手间在哪里？
qǐngwèn, xǐshǒujiān zài nǎli?
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
车站在哪里？
chēzhàn zài nǎli?
Where's the station?
Pro tip: Remember that '在' (zài) means 'at' or 'to be at', so '在哪里？' literally asks 'at where?' which is natural in Chinese.
Related phrases
为什么？ · Why什么时候？ · When谁？ · Who
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