If you are a new listener to this award-winning podcast, welcome!

In this episode we’re going to help you ask for, give and understand directions

Feedback: Valentina – Valentina is taking the CAE Exam

Do you use Google maps? 

Questions you may hear
How do I get to the beach?
Excuse me, Where is the nearest supermarket?
Can you tell me where the train station is?

We practised indirect questions with Nicola in episode 50

Do you know where the nearest petrol station is?

Can you tell me how to get to the post office, please?
Could you tell me where the town hall is, please?
Do you know where the nearest petrol station is?
Do you know where I might find a cash machine/an ATM?
Excuse me, I’m looking for a bank.
Are you from around here? Do you live here?
Would you mind telling me the way to the police station?
Do/Would you happen to know where the nearest book shop is?
Can you direct me to the hospital, please?
Do you know anywhere around/near here that sells batteries?
Is this the way to the city centre?
Excuse me, is there a bus stop nearby?

Giving directions
The easiest way is to…
The quickest way is to…
The best way is to…
If I were you, I’d…
It depends on whether you’re going by car/driving or on foot/walking

You’ll probably hear
Turn left/right (take a left/right) = girar/torcer/doblar a la izquierda/derecha
Go straight ahead = sigue hacía adelante/recto/todo seguido (drive straight ahead, walk straight ahead)
Go straight, go left, go right, go through
go up, go down, go along this street = ir por ésta calle
It’s on your left/right (on your left/right hand side) = está a su derecha/izquierda
It’s on the corner = está en la esquina
It’s opposite the station = está en frente de la estación
Stay on + road/street name for + distance or time
Go over the lights/bridge = pase el semáforo/la puente
Go past the park = pase el parque
Take the first/second on the right/left = tome la primera/segunda a la derecha/izquierda
Keep going = continúe, sigua

Improve your speaking with an italki teacher

Use connecting words
after that
before that
then
next
when you get to…go…
finally, at the end

Other useful expressions
It’s just around the corner
It’s not far.
It’s a bit of a way. / It’s quite far
It’s about a 10-minute walk.
It’s about 20 minutes on the bus – It’s a 20-minute bus ride.

You’ll see a big tree/red building/petrol station on the left.
You’ll go past a police station.
It’s opposite the post office.

It’s on + street name (eg. It’s on Oxford Street)
It’s next to
It’s opposite
It’s near
It’s around the corner from (the supermarket)

Turn right at the next street
Get in the left lane
Go one more block (block – manzana), then turn right
At the next traffic lights turn
It’s going to be on your right

Make sure that the other person understood your directions. Say: “Did you get all that?”
and repeat the directions a second time.

If you don’t know the way
I’m sorry, I’m not from here
I’m afraid I can’t help you
Sorry, I don’t know my way around here

You could ask in the shop
Ask the bus driver.
Follow me. I’ll show you the way.
Do you want me to draw you a map?

The Argentinian cafe Dulce de Leche in Reza’s area is ‘a victim of its own success’
…and now it’s your turn to practise your English. Do you have a question for us or an idea for a future episode?
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On next week’s episode: The Causative Passive ‘have’ and ‘get’ something done

The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called ‘See You Later’