Asking for Directions in English
Ask for and give directions in English. Kiora and Ethan teach the easy phrases for go straight, turn left, and finding your way, so you never get lost.
The lesson
Politely stopping someone
When you are lost, the first step is to get someone's attention in a polite way. The best phrase to use is "Excuse me, can you help me?" You can also say "Excuse me, I'm a little lost." Always smile and speak softly so the other person feels comfortable helping you. A polite start makes people much more willing to give you good directions.
Asking where a place is
Once the person is listening, you can ask for the place you want to find. A common question is "How do I get to the train station?" You can also ask "Where is the nearest bank?" or "Is there a pharmacy near here?" These questions are simple and work in almost any American city. Remember to use "the" before the name of a place, for example "the museum" or "the post office."
Understanding the directions
People will answer using direction words, so it helps to know them. "Go straight" means continue forward, and "turn left" or "turn right" tells you which way to go. They may use landmarks like "It's next to the bank" or "It's across from the traffic lights." If you do not understand, you can ask "Can you repeat that, please?" or "How far is it?" to learn the distance.
Giving directions yourself
Sometimes a visitor will ask you for help, so you should also know how to give directions. Use clear, short sentences like "Go straight for two blocks, then turn right." You can point to landmarks: "The store is on the corner, across from the bank." Tip: If you are not sure of the way, it is honest and kind to say "I'm sorry, I don't know, but you can ask at that shop."
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Key vocabulary
excuse me
/ɪkˈskjuːz miː/A polite phrase used to get someone's attention before you speak to them.
“Excuse me, can you tell me where the bus stop is?”
Traduction
excusez-moi / pardon
go straight
/ɡoʊ streɪt/To continue moving forward in the same direction without turning.
“Go straight for three blocks and you will see the park.”
Traduction
aller tout droit
turn left
/tɜːrn lɛft/To change your direction toward your left side.
“Turn left at the next street to reach the hotel.”
Traduction
tourner à gauche
across from
/əˈkrɔːs frʌm/On the opposite side, directly facing a place.
“The cafe is across from the library.”
Traduction
en face de
on the corner
/ɑːn ðə ˈkɔːrnər/At the point where two streets meet.
“The pharmacy is on the corner of Main Street and Oak Street.”
Traduction
au coin de la rue
traffic lights
/ˈtræfɪk laɪts/The red, yellow, and green lights that control cars at a crossing.
“Turn right at the traffic lights and the bank is on your left.”
Traduction
les feux de circulation
how far
/haʊ fɑːr/A question phrase used to ask about the distance to a place.
“How far is the station from here?”
Traduction
à quelle distance
Test yourself
1. Which phrase is the most polite way to stop a stranger and ask for help?
2. How do you ask the way to the train station?
3. What does "go straight" mean?
4. Which question asks about the distance to a place?
5. If you do not understand the directions, what can you politely say?