Great Moments in Mandarin

Today, I got into a cab in Beijing alone for the first time. I went to meet Mo for lunch at a place he suggested called “The Village.”

I walked out of my complex and hailed a cab with no issue. The driver took a look at me and said something to me in Mandarin, so I said “Wǒ bù zhīdào. Wǒ shì měiguó rén” (I don’t understand. I am American). Then I said “San Li Tun.” Mo had told me this is where we are going. The driver repeated it back to me, I agreed with him, and we were off. I felt proud of myself.

All of a sudden, the driver asked me whether or not to turn left or right. You see, San Li Tuan is not a location, but a huge road. Thanks Mo. This is like telling someone who does not speak English to get into a cab in New York and say “5th Avenue.”

I had to pick something, so I told him “right” (Yòu) mainly because I cannot say “left” yet in Mandarin. Fortunately, even a broken clock is right twice a day. After a few nervous minutes, I saw a “The Village” sign on the side of the road and asked the driver to stop (in English) which he understood.

---

Words used:
Right - Yòu

Inspired me to learn:
Left - Zuǒ
Stop - Tíng