The Mandarin language uses two “suffixes” for placement terms: miàn and biān. Both of these words mean “side,” but biān emphasizes divisions (such as borders) between things. Biān is used for things on the side (such as right side or left side) and miàn is used for locating things within a sphere (such as above or in front of).
Once you are familiar with Mandarin language placement terms, the use of miàn and biān will come automatically, since each word is used exclusively within certain phrases. For example, the Mandarin language has only one phrase for “opposite” (duìmiàn), so once you have learned this vocabulary you will not likely try to say it as duìbiān.
Mandarin Placement Terms - Here and There
here - zhèlǐ - 這裡
there - nàli - 那裡
over here - zhèbiān - 這邊
over there - nàbiān - 那邊
Mandarin Placement Terms – Right and Left
right - yòu - 右
left - zuǒ - 左
right side - yòubiān - 右邊
left side - zuǒbiān - 左邊
beside - pángbiān - 旁邊
Mandarin Placement Terms – Around
opposite - duìmiàn - 對面
in front - qiánmiàn - 前面
behind - hòumiàn - 後面
on top - shàngmiàn - 上面
under - xiàmiàn - 下面
inside - lǐmiàn - 裡面
outside - wàimiàn - 外面
Now proceed to page two for example sentences using this vocabulary.
