Asking for Directions in English
We ask the way in English

Now we will raise a fairly practical topic, which will be useful during your stay in an unfamiliar city. In order not to get lost and can not be a panic abroad, you need to learn a small number of standard revolutions. With the help of the vocabulary presented below, you will be able to contact the passing and ask how to get to some place, and also approximately understand what he answers.

So, to ask how to go somewhere, you can use one of the following phrases:

How do I get to ...? - How can I get to...?
Can You Tell Me The Way To? - Can you tell me the road to ...?
Could You Tell Me How to Get To? - You could not tell me how to get to ...?
Where Is the Nearest ...? - Where is the nearest (Aya) ...?

Examples:

Excuse me, how do i get to county street? - Sorry, how can I get to County Street?
CAN You Tell Me Please the Way to Nelson Square? - Can you tell me, please, the road to Nelson Square?
Could You Tell Me How to Get to Dockweiler Beach? - Could you tell me how to get to Dockuler Beach?
Where Is the Nearest Metro Station, Please? - Where is the nearest metro station?

As you can see, all questions you can add different kinds of politeness form, like Excuse me and Please.

I apologize, how to get to the British Museum?
Could you tell me the road to the British Museum?
You can't tell me how to get to the British Museum?

To check yourself, lay the cursor to each suggestion.

In response, you can hear a large number of variations on the topic of the passage of this route. We give the most characteristic expressions that can be heard from the mouth of the English-speaking passerby.

If you need to go straight:

go straight on - go straight
go along - go along

Examples:

Go Straight on Till You Get to Kensington Hotel - Go all the time right until you reach the hotel Kensington
Go Along Duke Street - Go on Dick Street

If you need to turn:

turn (To the) Right - Turn right
turn (To the) Left - Turn Left

take A Right Turn \u003d Turn to the right
take a Left Turn \u003d Turn to the right

take The First (Turning) on \u200b\u200bthe right - At the first turn of turning right
take The Second (Turning) on \u200b\u200bthe left - on the second street turn left

Examples:

Go Straight on Until You See The Park and then Turn to the right - Go right until you see the park and then turn right
WHEN YOU GET TO THE CINEMA TURN LEFT - When you reach the cinema, turn left

Say yourself in English:

Go straight
Turn left when you get to the bank
Turn right on the second turn

cross The Street - Go Street

Prepositions

To navigate in English, we need to be able to properly use the pretexts. Knowledge of prepositions will help us very much when explaining how to go somewhere. Below will submit the six most appropriate prepositions.

up - up
down - Down
along - along
over - software (some surface)
towards - K (towards something)
through - through, through something

Examples:

Go Down The Street - Go down the street
Keep Going Along The Alley - keep going along the alley
Go Over The Bridge - Go over the bridge
Go Towards The Metro Station - Go to the metro station
DON "T GO THROUGH THE WOOD - don't go through the forest

Say yourself in English:

Go up the street
Go along the river and then go through the bridge
Ratch the street and go to the hotel
Go through Park

Names of various places in the city

At the end of this topic, we give a small list of standard city infrastructure sites that can be new to you. Remember all these words.

a Street - Street
an Avenue - Avenue, Avenue
a Square - Area
a Crossroads - Crossroads

a Railway Station - railway station
a Bus Station - Bus Station
a Metro Station - Metro Station
a BUS STOP - Bus stop

a Drugstore - Pharmacy
a Petrol Station - refueling
a Parking - Parking

Exercises
Exercises

Exercise 1.
Give in English the following instructions

Exercise 2.
Translate Offers into English

1. How to get to Manhattan?
2. Sorry, do not tell me how can I get to Long Island?
3. Go all the time right on Irving Street;
4. After crossroads, turn right;
5. Go Road and go along the beach;
6. Switch the bridge and turn right;
7. Drive to refueling, and then turn left;
8. Can you tell me where the nearest pharmacy?
9. Go down the street and when you come down to the station, turn left.

We all love to travel. We like to visit new countries and cities, we try to see as many sights as possible, we are attracted by architectural monuments. But sometimes a person can get lost while in an unfamiliar city. Well, if you have a map of the city being visited. But sometimes you can navigate, only asking the inhabitants of this city, where you need to go. Here in this situation, you need to know the description of the city in English, and to be more accurate, the name of the institutions and buildings, transport and prepositions for orientation on the area. Another situation is possible. You take at your guest foreigner (or work as a guide), and you need to show a person a city by told about significant places. No description of the city in English can not do!

City and its parts

The word "city" can translate as a Town. and a city.But the latter is more common. A Town. - This is a small town, while a city. - Big and lively. Each city is divided into areas ( districts.), and each city has a suburb ( a Suburb.) and surroundings ( neighbourHoDs.). Man can also be in a Village. (village).

As a rule, in every city there are streets ( streets.), Square ( squares.), parks ( parks.) and squares ( public Gardens.). And in the suburbs or surroundings you can see the field ( a Field.), river ( a river) or channel ( a canal).

• Want to know how the cities of America get their nicknames? Then the article "" will have to taste.

Adjectives for the description of the city

The most important thing in the description of the city is what the impression he produces on people who visited him. And then you will come to the rescue, which you can use in English will come to the rescue.

• ancient. - ancient;
• historic. - historical;
• attractive. - attractive;
• lovely. - nice;
• bustling - noisy, fussy;
• contemporary. - modern;
• lively. - lively;
• picturesque - picturesque;
• charming. - charming;
• touristic - tourist;
• dULL - dim;
• boring - boring.

Transport in the city

Traveling around the city, you will enjoy public transport ( public Transport.). It is worth learn how the train is called ( a Train.), railway station ( a Railway Station.), Tram ( a tram.), trolleybus ( a Trolley Bus.), bus ( a bus.), Metro ( a TUBE / SUBWAY) and steamer ( a steamer).

• A convenient phrasebook on this topic is presented in the article "City Transport"
• And you will find a detailed description of public transport in the article ""

Places that can be visited

Attractions ( sights.) In every city mass. Being in another city, you will probably want to visit the theater ( a Theatre.), museum ( a Museum.), cinema ( a Cinema.) or gallery ( an Art Gallery.). You can enjoy music in the concert hall ( a CONCERT HALL.) or in opera ( an Opera House.). Lovers of architecture can be advised to visit the church ( a church.), Cathedral ( a Cathedral.) or castle ( a Castle).

• Choose yourself entertainment in the souls along with our article "".

Learn children and students at school ( a School.), college ( a college.) University ( a university), and books take in the library ( a Library.). The names of all these institutions will help you find any sight or your chosen place to visit.

You can eat in a cafe ( a Café.) or restaurant ( a Restaurant.). Lovers to make purchases will attract huge shopping centers ( shopping Malls.). The usual stores and supermarkets are referred to shops. and supermarkets. (department Stores.). As well as each tourist you should know how in English is called the bank ( a bank), pharmacy ( a Drugstore.), hospital ( a hospital.), police station ( a Police Station.), post office ( a POST OFFICE.).

• In case of an emergency, you may need phrases from our article "". We hope that words from the article will not be useful to you, but they need to know absolutely everyone.

How to specify the direction in English

Now imagine that we need to tell or understand how to get to any museum. You can politely ask for a passerby using the following sentence:

Could You please Tell Me Where The (Place) IS? - Could you please say where (something) is it?

We will certainly use in the speech of the names of objects in English, as well as prepositions of places that will help draw up a competent route. Therefore, be sure to pay the time to memorize them.

And still be sure to watch the video. In it teacher Jon. Explains how to properly indicate the direction in English.

Asking for directions

Excuse me. Sorry to Bother You But I'm Afraid I Got Lost. I'm looking for the Opera House. How do I get there?

I Know this Area Quite Well. SO You Have to Go Down The Napoleon Monument You See The Napoleon Monument You Should Turn Left and Follow The Stone Path.

Right. Is there A Sign Near Thetere?

No, sorry. But I am Sure You Won't Miss It. It's a Beautiful Marble Building with Columns. IT's Next To the Art Gallery, Just Opposite The Fountains. If You Need A Box-Office There You Should Take A Lift to the Basement Level, Then Pass The Cloakroom And Walk Straight Down The Notice.

That Sems Quite Far. Ok then. Thanks a lot. You've Been Really Helpful. By The Way Is There A Beach Close to the Theater? Could You Tell Me The Way, Please?

Actually It's About 2 Miles from the Opera House. You Could Catch A Bus and The Third Stop Will Be Yours.

I Would Rather Go On Foot. I Enjoy Walking and Admiring The City Architecture.

I See. Then You Should Go Around The Corner On Your Left, Walk Along King's Road, Cross The Bridge and the Take the Second Right at the Traffic Lights. You'll See The Exit to the Beach in about Half a mile.

OK. Thanks Again. HopeFully I Won't Get Lost Again.

Have Fun At The Beach!

Sorry. I apologize for anxiety, but I'm afraid I got lost. I'm looking for an opera house. How do I get there?

I know this area is pretty good. You need to go on the way there, and when you see a monument to Napoleon, you should turn left and go along the stone path.

Okay. Do you have a pointer next to the theater?

Not. Sorry. But I'm sure you don't miss it. This is a beautiful marble building with columns. It is located next to the art gallery, directly opposite the fountains. If you need a ticket office, you should go down on the elevator on the ground floor, then pass by the dressing room and go straight along the corridor until you see the sign.

It seems that it is quite far. Okay. Many thanks. You helped me a lot. By the way, next to the theater is the beach? Could you tell me the road?

Actually, it is about 2 miles from the Opera House. You could take a bus, and the third stop will be yours.

I would prefer walk on foot. I like to walk and enjoy urban architecture.

Clear. Then you need to minimize the corner of the left, go through Kingz Road, go through the bridge and then the second turn right at the traffic light. You will see the goal to the beach in about half a mile.

So, you have already easily settled in the hotel, using our phrasebook "English in the hotel", rested after the road and ready to show themselves, to see people - go on a tour of the city. Of course, the presence of a Russian-speaking guide facilitates the lives of our tourists abroad, but Much more interesting and cheaper to travel. And if you still learn the phrases offered by us for orientation in the city, then your trip will be easily and pleasant. In addition, thanks to the knowledge of English, you will be able to get new familiar from another country.

We wrote a simple phrasebook for travelers, in which you will find dialogues, phrases and dictionary according to the most necessary topics. Go on the journey along with the main character and pull your English. You can download the book for free.

The names of the main institutions in English

To begin with, we will give you the names of various places in the city in English. We recommend to learn them first, you do not want to get into the cave instead of the toilet.

As you notice, there are several words to designate the toilet name. Usually WC is used in almost any country, and in the UK, the words toilet and lavatory are often used. It also uses the word Loo, it is informal shade. In the United States, the words of the RESTROOM and Bathroom are most popular, although the latter also denotes the bathroom with a toilet directly in someone's house. In Canada, the word Bathroom is widely used. However, even in different regions of the same country, different words can be used, so do not be afraid to eat any of them: you will understand in any case.

How to ask the direction in English

So, imagine that you have decided to make a walk around the city, see Attractions (Sightseeing) and plenty of beautiful species. If you decide to do without a guide (Tour Guide), then for orientation in the city you will need a map (MAP) and a guidebook (Guide Book), and also knowing some phrases in English to help you reach a destination, because it is not always easy to navigate The map, and some attractions or institutions may not be applied at all.

Where to get the card? First, almost every hotel you will be offered a plan of the city. Secondly, you can buy it in the newspaper kiosk (NewsAnt's). Choose the most detailed, large scale and directory for tourists: all institutions, monuments, museums will be indicated on good maps. To purchase a map, ask the following question: Do You Have a Map of The City? (Do you have a city map?).

By the way, in the hotel you can ask the staff, what places you should visit in the city. Ask a simple question: Could You Tell Me, Please, What Is Worth Visiting? (Could you tell me what to visit?). So you will receive first-hand information about the most interesting sights.

Imagine a completely real situation: you are confused in the streets of an unfamiliar city and cannot find a desired attraction. In this case, contact the passage: apologize and ask to help. If you see a police officer next to him, ask him about help, it is more secure: in this case, you definitely do not bloom on scammers.

You chose a "sacrifice" for questions, stopped it and attracted attention. Now it is necessary to find out the passerby, as you get to the desired institution or selected attractions. Here you will need knowledge of words from our first sign. The following phrases are synonymous, that is, interchangeable. Choose the ones that you easier to remember, and simply substitute the name of the one you need.

It will not be superfluous to clarify the passerby, whether the attraction needs you need: so you decide whether to take advantage of public transport services or walk on foot.

In this article, we presented phrases for the orientation on the ground, and in the article "" described in detail how to rent a car and communicate in public transport in English.

How to specify the direction in English

So, you overcame the language barrier in one felling and easily asked where you move. Now you need to understand what your interlocutor is answered. To do this, learn the following phrases in English. In addition, the same offers you can use and at a meeting with a foreigner in your own city: now you can easily explain to a person how to find the nearest bank or metro station - +10 to communication skills in English.

To begin with, lighten the basic phrases to help you indicate the direction of movement.

We give simple answers you can get in response to the question of the direction of movement:

And now a small lifehak for those who are afraid to get confused in long explanations of the passerby: Show the interlocutor of the card and ask the question: Could You show Me On the Map? (Could you show me on the map?). Then you just show where to go. So you definitely do not confuse and do not get lost.

Read the dialogs given to make you easier to understand how to specify the direction in English:

Dialog # 1.

- Excuse Me, Where Is the Theater Situated?
- Go Left Here And Then Take the Second Right. Thetere Will Be Around The Corner.

Sorry where is the theater?
- Go left and then turn right on the second turn. Theater will be right around the corner.

Dialog # 2.

- Excuse Me, Could You Tell Me How to Get to the Nearest Bank?
- Go Straight On For About 2 Miles. You Will See The Bank Directly Opposite to the post office.

Sorry, you will not tell me how to get to the nearest bank?
- Go straight along this street about 2 miles. You will see the bank directly opposite the mail.

Dialog # 3.

- Excuse me, Could You Tell Me The Way to the Museum?
- IT "S Pretty Far From Here. Turn Left and then Right, Go Along for a mile or So and the Museum Is On Your Left.

Sorry, you do not tell me the road to the museum?
- It is far enough from here. Turn left, and then right, go straight about miles, and the museum will be left of you.

Dialog # 4.

- Excuse Me, I Am Looking for a Cafe. Do you know how to get there?
- Go Left Here and Turn Right After You Go Past the Bank. The Cafe is in Front of the Market.

Sorry, I'm looking for a cafe. Do you know how to get to him?
- Go left and turn right after the bank is passing. The cafe will be directly in front of the market.

We also recommend listening to an audio recording of a lesson for studying English from the BBC, where they tell how to specify the direction. Record text can be downloaded on the site, so you can easily figure it out in this lesson.

In the institution

You have safely reached the selected attractions or entertainment. Now you will have several more phrases so that you can find out the price of the ticket, as well as some rules for visiting this place.

Inscriptions and signs in English

Useful sites to learn to navigate in the city in English

• Travel English Lessons. - Educational 2-3-minute video in English for travelers. Language speakers say clearly, use simple phrases, so see, listen, get used to the sound of English speech and repeat the proposals for the speakers - at the same time learn everything you need.
• Learnenglishfeelgood.com - site with exercises. Pay attention to the SightSeeing section, you will find useful tasks to work out the studied vocabulary. Practical exercises will help secure all phrases in memory.

In addition, do not forget about our school: will allow you to pull up knowledge as soon as possible, and you will confidently feel abroad.

Full list of words and phrases for download

Do not forget to download a list of useful vocabulary. If he is with you on the journey, you can always find the place you want to visit.

(* .pdf, 282 KB)

Ready to test your knowledge? Then try typing the maximum number of points in our test.

Test for knowledge of vocabulary on the topic "How to navigate in the city in English: a simple phrasebook"

We think now you definitely do not get lost in the city, and if it happens, it will be easy to handle this troubles, using the help of local residents and phrases from our phrase book. We wish you not to lose in any situations, pleasant travel!

On the eve of the World Cup in Moscow, football lovers come to Moscow from all over the world. Our capital is a big city, it is no wonder and get lost. How to help a foreigner if he asks from us, how to go to the library? And what should I do if in the role of a foreigner we ourselves, when in Paris, Venice or Berlin we will need to find some particular place?

Today's article is devoted to how to ask and explain the road in English. So, let's begin.

1. How to ask the road?

First, we attract the attention of the passerby with the phrase:

This is the same as the Russian "Sorry" is a very polite way to ask a question to a stranger on the street.

Clarifying questions that may arise in the course of the explanation:

Is IT FAR?
Is IT A Long Way?
Is it?

How Far Is IT?
How far is it?

2.1. How to explain the road?

And what to do if you yourself explain to a foreigner how to get somewhere? Let's analyze the words and expressions necessary for this.

You can start explanations by one of the following phrases:

You Need To ...
You need...

You have to ...
You'll have to...

The QUICKEST WAY IS TO GO ...
The fastest way is to go ...

To specify the direction of movement, use the following words:

a) go ... ("go")

• ... Right "Right, right"
• ... Left. "Left, left"
• ... Straight ahead "straight"
• ... Down. their street. "down the street"
• ... Up the Street "up the street"

• ... along their street. "Along the street, on the street"

b) Take ("Take, ride, use, go for")

Use take With streets or transport:

Take The Bus Number 1.
Take Bus number 1.

Take The Arbatskaya Street.
Go by Arbatskaya street.

With transport you can use " to."To specify the end point path:

Take The Metro to Borovitskaya Station.
Drive On the subway station to Borovitskaya.

Take The Red Line to Sportivnaya Station.
Drive On the red line to the sports station.

Take The Bus To the Arbatskaya Street.
Drive By bus in Arbatskaya Street.

c) Turn ... ("Rotate")

• ...right "right"
• ...left. "left"

Turn Right When You See a Big Sign.
Turn right when you see a big sign.

You Need To. turn Left. AT The Corner.
You need to turn left at the corner.

d) Stop + AT ("Stay before anything")

Stop. aT. The Traffic Lights.
Stay before the traffic light.

Stop AT. The Cafe and Go Into The Alley.
Stay near the cafe and go to the alley.

e) Pass ___ ("pass by")

ON YOUR WY YOU WILL pass a church.
On the way you will pass by the church.

Pass A Supermarket and Turn Right After IT.
Complete the supermarket past and turn right after it.

f) Cross The Road ("cross the road")

You Need To. cross. the Road. AND TURN RIGHT.
You need to go on the road and turn right.

Cross. Two roads. And Turn Left.
Navigate two roads and turn left.

2.2. How to divide the offer?

If your instruction has been delayed, you will need special words with which you can connect commands:

Words with which you can connect the instructions:

2.3. How to finish the explanation?

All our explanations need to lead to the fact that at the end of the path of the person is waiting for exactly the place he is looking for. As a final phrase, you can use, for example:

2.4. How to call in English urban objects?

In this table, I collected the main words denoting typical urban objects. You can use them in your explanations as landmarks.

3. What if you yourself do not know the road or it is difficult to explain?

It happens so that a foreigner caresses us by surprise in an unfamiliar part of the city. In this case, it is necessary to apologize politely:

You Could Ask The Policeman / The Bus Driver / ...
You can ask the buset's police / driver / ...

Fall ME. I'll Show You The Way.
Follow me. I'll show you the road.

I CAN Draw You A Map. Do You Have Any Paper?
I can draw you a map. Do you have a paper?

I can show it on my navigator. Just a Moment ...
I can show you on the navigator. Minute ...

I hope the article was useful for you and helped figure out how to give and receive instructions when you travel around the city. Pleasant travels and do not be afraid to communicate with foreigners on the streets of Moscow!