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English Phrases for Asking for Directions

Lost in a new city? These phrases help you stop someone politely, ask the way and, just as important, understand the directions they give you.

35 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

Stopping someone politely

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Excuse me, can you help me?

A1

Start with 'Excuse me', not 'Hey'.

Affedersiniz, bana yardım edebilir misiniz?
  • Sure, what do you need?
  • Sorry, I'm in a hurry.

Sorry to bother you.

A2
Rahatsız ettiğim için kusura bakmayın.
  • No problem.
  • Not at all.

I think I'm lost.

A1
Sanırım kayboldum.
  • Where are you trying to go?
  • Do you have the address?

Do you know this area?

A2
Bu bölgeyi biliyor musunuz?
  • Yes, I live here.
  • Sorry, I'm not from here.

Asking the way

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

How do I get to the train station?

A1

UK: 'railway station' is also used.

Tren istasyonuna nasıl giderim?
  • Go straight and turn left.
  • It's easiest to take the bus.

Where is the nearest subway station?

A1

UK: 'Underground' or 'tube station' in London.

En yakın metro istasyonu nerede?
  • It's two blocks away.
  • Just at the end of this street.

Is there a pharmacy near here?

A1
Buralarda eczane var mı?
  • Yes, there's one on Main Street.
  • I don't think so.

Can you show me on the map?

A1
Haritada gösterebilir misiniz?
  • Sure. We're here.
  • Let me see.

I'm looking for this address.

A1
Bu adresi arıyorum.
  • Let me see. That's not far.
  • That's on the other side of town.

Which way is the city center?

A2

UK spelling: centre. Also 'town centre'.

Şehir merkezi ne tarafta?
  • That way, about ten minutes.
  • Follow the signs.

Am I going the right way for the museum?

A2
Müzeye doğru yolda mıyım?
  • Yes, keep going.
  • No, you need to go back.

What's the best way to get to the airport?

A2
Havalimanına gitmenin en iyi yolu ne?
  • Take the express train.
  • A taxi is quickest.

Understanding directions

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Go straight ahead.

A1

Also: 'Go straight on' (UK) or 'Keep going'.

Dümdüz gidin.
  • Okay, straight ahead.
  • How far?

Turn left at the traffic lights.

A1

Use 'at' with lights, corners and intersections.

Trafik ışıklarından sola dönün.
  • At the lights, got it.
  • The first lights?

Take the second right.

A2
İkinci sağdan dönün.
  • The second street on the right?
  • Okay, thanks.

It's on your left.

A1
Solunuzda.
  • Thank you.
  • Is there a sign?

Go past the church.

A2
Kiliseyi geçin.
  • And then?
  • Okay, past the church.

Cross the street.

A1

UK: 'cross the road'.

Karşıya geçin.
  • At the crosswalk?
  • Okay.

Go down this street until you reach the end.

A2
Bu caddeden sonuna kadar gidin.
  • And then left or right?
  • Okay, to the end.

It's at the corner of Oak Street and 5th Avenue.

B1

Americans often use 'blocks' for distance. British speakers don't.

Oak Sokağı ile 5. Cadde'nin köşesinde.
  • Thanks, I'll find it.
  • Is it a big building?

You can't miss it.

B1

Means it is very easy to see.

Kaçırmanız mümkün değil.
  • Great, thanks!
  • I hope so!

Places and landmarks

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

It's next to the bank.

A1
Bankanın yanında.
  • Next to the bank, okay.
  • Which bank?

It's opposite the post office.

A2

US speakers often say 'across from the post office'.

Postanenin karşısında.
  • Thanks.
  • I see it.

It's between the cafe and the hotel.

A1
Kafe ile otelin arasında.
  • Got it.
  • Which hotel?

It's behind the shopping mall.

A2

UK: 'shopping centre'.

Alışveriş merkezinin arkasında.
  • Is there an entrance at the back?
  • Okay.

It's just around the corner.

A2
Hemen köşeyi dönünce.
  • Oh, very close!
  • Which corner?

Distance and transport

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Is it far from here?

A1
Buraya uzak mı?
  • No, it's about five minutes away.
  • Yes, you should take a taxi.

Can I walk there?

A1
Oraya yürüyebilir miyim?
  • Yes, it's not far.
  • It's a long walk.

How long does it take on foot?

A2
Yürüyerek ne kadar sürer?
  • About fifteen minutes.
  • Around half an hour.

Which bus goes to the beach?

A2
Hangi otobüs sahile gidiyor?
  • The number 12.
  • You need to change at the station.

Where do I get off?

A2
Nerede inmeliyim?
  • At the third stop.
  • I'll tell you when.

Checking and thanking

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Sorry, could you say that again?

A1
Pardon, tekrar söyler misiniz?
  • Sure. Go straight, then turn left.
  • Of course.

Could you speak more slowly, please?

A1
Biraz daha yavaş konuşabilir misiniz?
  • Sorry, of course.
  • Okay. Go... straight...

So I turn left, and then it's on my right?

A2

Repeating the directions back is a great way to check.

Yani sola dönüyorum, sonra sağımda mı?
  • Exactly.
  • No, on your left.

Thanks a lot for your help.

A1
Yardımınız için çok teşekkürler.
  • You're welcome.
  • No problem. Have a good day!

Sample dialogues

Finding the train station

Tourist
Excuse me, can you help me? I think I'm lost.
Affedersiniz, yardım edebilir misiniz? Sanırım kayboldum.
Local
Sure. Where are you trying to go?
Tabii. Nereye gitmeye çalışıyorsunuz?
Tourist
How do I get to the train station?
Tren istasyonuna nasıl giderim?
Local
Go straight ahead and turn left at the traffic lights.
Dümdüz gidin, trafik ışıklarından sola dönün.
Tourist
Turn left at the lights. And then?
Işıklardan sola. Sonra?
Local
Go past the church. The station is on your right. You can't miss it.
Kiliseyi geçin. İstasyon sağınızda. Kaçırmanız mümkün değil.
Tourist
Is it far from here?
Buraya uzak mı?
Local
No, about ten minutes on foot.
Hayır, yürüyerek on dakika kadar.
Tourist
Thanks a lot for your help.
Yardımınız için çok teşekkürler.

Looking for a pharmacy

Visitor
Sorry to bother you. Is there a pharmacy near here?
Rahatsız ettiğim için kusura bakmayın. Buralarda eczane var mı?
Local
Yes, there's one just around the corner.
Evet, hemen köşeyi dönünce bir tane var.
Visitor
Sorry, could you speak more slowly, please?
Pardon, biraz daha yavaş konuşabilir misiniz?
Local
Of course. Take the first right. It's next to the bank.
Tabii. İlk sağdan dönün. Bankanın yanında.
Visitor
So I take the first right, and it's next to the bank?
Yani ilk sağdan dönüyorum ve bankanın yanında mı?
Local
Exactly. It's opposite a big supermarket.
Aynen. Büyük bir süpermarketin karşısında.
Visitor
Great, thank you so much.
Harika, çok teşekkür ederim.
Local
You're welcome. Have a good day!
Rica ederim. İyi günler!

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

Where is the station, please tell me?

Excuse me, could you tell me where the station is?

In indirect questions the word order is statement order: 'where the station is', not 'where is the station'.

Turn to left.

Turn left.

Turkish 'sola dön' has a case ending, but English uses 'turn left' with no preposition.

It's in front of the bank. (meaning across the street)

It's opposite the bank.

Turkish 'karşısında' across a street is 'opposite' or 'across from'. 'In front of' means directly before it.

How can I go to the museum?

How do I get to the museum?

'Get to' is the natural phrase for reaching a place. 'How can I go to...?' is understandable but sounds less natural.

Is it near to here?

Is it near here?

'Near' usually needs no 'to'. You can also ask 'Is it close to here?' or 'Is it far?'.

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

  1. 1. What do you say first to a stranger?

  2. 2. Choose the correct question.

  3. 3. 'Karşıya geçin' in English is:

  4. 4. The shop is ___ the bank and the cafe.

  5. 5. Which is an indirect question?

  6. 6. 'You can't miss it' means:

  7. 7. A British speaker says 'Go straight on'. An American would usually say:

  8. 8. Turn left ___ the traffic lights.

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers
  1. Excuse me.
  2. How do I get to the station?
  3. Cross the street.
  4. between
  5. Could you tell me where the hotel is?
  6. It's very easy to find.
  7. Go straight ahead.
  8. at

See what the A1 English course covers, or test your level first.

People also ask

What is the most polite way to ask for directions in English?+

Start with "Excuse me" and use an indirect question, such as "Could you tell me how to get to the station?" End with "Thank you" even if the person can't help.

What does 'block' mean in directions?+

In the US, a block is the section of street between two crossing streets. "Two blocks away" means you pass two intersections. British speakers rarely use it.

What if I don't understand the directions?+

Ask "Could you say that again more slowly?" or repeat what you heard: "So I turn left, then go straight?" People are usually happy to help.

Is it 'opposite' or 'across from'?+

Both mean on the other side of the street. 'Opposite' is common in British English, and Americans often say 'across from' or 'across the street from'.

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