While your phone's GPS can be a great feature, you never know when you'll run out of signal or battery. That is why it is important to know how to ask for directions in Spanish before traveling to a Spanish-speaking destination. Today you will learn the most important phrases from our lesson "How to ask for information in Spanish". If you haven't heard it yet, watch the video below to hear these phrases in real life situations.
Index
bring people together
The most natural way to approach a local to ask him something is to say:
Excuse me (informal) - I'm sorry
sorry (formal) - sorry
I long
young - young
sir - sir
ladies - lady
Or by greeting:
Good day
Good day
Good night, good evening
ask the way
Once you've caught the attention of the villagers, there are several ways to ask for directions. The easiest way to do this is to simply say the name of the place you are looking for. It should be phrased as a question, so intonation is key here. If you don't make it clear that you are asking a question, the other person may get confused. Here are some examples:
excuse me, the cathedral?
Sir, the entrance to the museum?
Good day. The bus station?
You can also just tell them that you are looking for a specific place and hint that you hope they will help you by giving you directions.
I'm looking for the nearest metro station. - I'm looking for the nearest metro station.
I am looking for an ATM. - I am looking for an ATM.
You can also explicitly request addresses in the following ways:
Where is the Museum of Modern Art? -Where is the Museum of Modern Art?
where are the stairs -Where are the stairs?
How do I get to the park? - How do I get to the park?
Do you know if the mall is close? - Do you know if the mall is here?
Is there a hospital nearby? - Is there a hospital nearby?
Here are some other questions and phrases that can be helpful when you're in a new place.
How far is this... from/from that...? - How far is the... from...?
Where can I get a taxi? - Where can I get a taxi?
Does the truck that's going... pass through here? - Does the bus stop... go this way?
What is the best way to get to...? - What is the best way to get to...?
I'm lost. - I'm lost.
receive instructions
After successfully asking for directions comes the most important and challenging part: understanding the response you'll get. So here is a list of the words we use most often when giving directions.
basic instructions
right - straight
To the right
links
Advance - Voraus
Rear - Rear
Front - Front
Very far
close-date
Next door - Neben
One of
inside - inside
outside - outside
for for
Bis
Behavior
Go (informal) - Go
ir (formal) - ir
run Run
Follow - Next
Rodeia - Go there
Rotate right/left - Rotate right/left
Rotate right/left - Rotate right/left
go up - go up
go down - descend
salt-skirt
enter - enter
pass over - pass over
put
the street
The sidewalk - sidewalk
the block - block
The corner - Ecke
The roundabout - roundabout
The crest - middle band
Or traffic light - traffic light
to entrance
The exit - exit
The box office - box office
Common expressions in Mexico
ok - go ahead
Rear - Rear
Corner of the balcony - corner of the kitty.
Until you get to... - Until you get to...
Ask more than one person!
I don't know if it's only happening in Mexico or if it's something Latin American, but we have the strange habit of giving directions, even if we don't know exactly how to get where they ask us. I don't know why we are doing this. I think we like to feel useful, or maybe we don't like not having an answer. Observe people's reactions right after you ask them how to get somewhere. My advice is that if they hesitate and need some time to "remember" where the place you are looking for is, ignore them and ask someone else. Only follow the instructions of those who respond quickly and confidently.
With confidence
Since Spanish is a foreign language for you, you are not expected to understand everything the first time. You can gain empathy and understanding from people by telling them a little about yourself. For example:
I am learning Spanish and I still have a hard time understanding it. - I'm learning Spanish and I still have a hard time understanding it.
I am a Spanish student, so please speak slowly. - I'm a Spanish student, so speak slowly.
So don't worry if you have to ask me to repeat it again...
As? - Eat again?
Can you repeat it please? - Can you repeat it please?
I'm sorry, I didn't understand well. Can you repeat it please? - Excuse me I did not understand. Can you say that again?
... or speak more slowly.
Could you speak a little slower? - Can you speak more slowly, please?
Can you repeat it more slowly, please? - Can you repeat it slowly, please?
Remember to ask for instructions to practice your Spanish with a native speaker, which is the best way to improve your speaking and listening skills. Be sure to watch the video to hear the pronunciation and learn even more useful phrases for asking for directions in Spanish.
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