On the eve of the World Cup, football fans from all over the world come to Moscow. Our capital is a big city, it is not surprising to get lost in it. How can we help a foreigner if he asks us how to get to the library? And what should we do if we ourselves play the role of a foreigner, when in Paris, Venice or Berlin we need to find a specific place?
Today's article is about how to ask and explain directions in English. So, let's begin.
1. How to ask for directions?
First, we attract the attention of a passer-by with the phrase:
This is the same as the Russian "sorry" - 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 far?
How far is it?
How far is it?
2.1. How to explain the way?
But what if you yourself explain to a foreigner how to get somewhere? Let's look at the words and expressions needed for this.
You can start the explanation with 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 indicate the direction of movement, use the following words:
a) go...("go")
- ...right"right, right"
- ...left"left, left"
- ...straight ahead"directly"
- ...down the street"down the street"
- ...up the street"up the street"
- ...along the street"along the street, down the street"
b) take("take, ride, use, go by")
Use take with street names or transport:
Take the bus number 1.
Take bus number 1.
take the Arbatskaya street.
go on Arbat street.
With transport can be used " to" to specify the destination of the path:
take the metro to Borovitskaya station.
Ride by metro to Borovitskaya station.
take the red line to Sportivnaya station.
Ride along the red line to Sportivnaya station.
take the bus to the Arbatskaya street.
Ride by bus along Arbatskaya street.
c) turn ... ("turn")
- ...right"right"
- ...left"left"
turn right when you see a big sign.
Turn right when you see the big sign.
You need to turn left at the corner.
You need to turn left at the corner.
d) stop + at("stop before something")
stop at the traffic lights.
Stop at a traffic light.
Stop at the cafe and go into the alley.
Stop near the cafe and go to the alley.
e) pass____("pass by")
On your way you will pass a church.
On the way you will pass by the church.
Pass a supermarket and turn right after it.
Pass the supermarket and turn right after it.
f) cross the road("cross the road")
You need to cross the road and turn right.
You need to cross the road and turn right.
Cross two roads and turn left.
Cross two roads and turn left.
2.2. How to share the proposal?
If your instruction is long, you will need special words with which you can connect commands:
Words that can be used to connect instructions:
| Word |
Translation | Examples |
|
after that [ˈɑːftə ðæt] |
thereafter |
Cross the road after that go straight ahead. go right after that you"ll see a big monument... |
|
[ðɛn] |
go straight ahead, then turn right. You "ll pass a monument, then a cafe. |
|
|
|
Go along the Arbatskaya street next turn right. Go to the bus stop. Next you need to take the bus number 3. |
|
|
when you get to ...
|
when you get to... |
When you get to the crossroads, go left. When you get to the bus stop, wait for the bus number 57. |
|
when you see ...
|
when you see... |
When you see a big "M" sign, go straight ahead. When you see a metro entrance, just cross the road. |
|
[ˈfaɪnəli] |
finally turn right and you'll see a bus stop. finally you "ll see a metro entrance. This is where you need to go. |
2.3. How to end the explanation?
All our explanations must be led to the fact that at the end of the path a person is waiting for exactly the place that he is looking for. As a final phrase, you can use, for example:
2.4. How to call city objects in English?
In this table, I have collected the main words for typical urban objects. You can use them as reference points in your explanations.
| Word |
Pronunciation | Translation |
|
building |
[ˈbɪldɪŋ] |
Building, building. Any city building. |
| bus stop |
|
Bus stop. |
| church |
[ʧɜːʧ] |
Church. |
| corner |
[ˈkɔːnə] |
Corner. |
|
crossing (zebra crossing) |
[ˈkrɒsɪŋ] [ˈziːbrə ˈkrɒsɪŋ] |
Pedestrian crossing, "zebra". |
| crossroads |
[ˈkrɒsˌrəʊdz] |
Crossroads where the roads meet. |
| metro entrance | [ˈmɛtrəʊ ˈɛntrəns] [m'trow 'entrance] |
Subway entrance. |
| monument | [ˈmɒnjʊmənt] [m`nument] |
Monument. |
| road | [r'oud] |
Road (passing). |
| sign | [sign] |
Sign, signboard. |
| square | [sku`ea] |
Square. |
| street | [straight] |
The outside. |
| traffic lights | [ˈtræfɪk laɪts] [tr'efic lights] |
Traffic light. |
3. What should you do if you yourself do not know the way or it is difficult to explain it?
It also happens that a foreigner takes us by surprise in an unfamiliar part of the city. In this case, you should politely apologize:
You could ask the policeman/the bus driver/...
You can ask the policeman/bus driver/...
Follow me. I'll show you the way.
Follow me. I will show you the way.
I can draw you a map. Do you have any paper?
I can draw you a map. Do you have paper?
I can show it on my navigator. Just a moment...
I can show you on the navigator. Wait a minute...
I hope you found this article useful and helped you figure out how to give and receive instructions as you travel around the city. Enjoy your travels and don't be afraid to chat with foreigners on the streets of Moscow!
P let's talk about the road. Knowing how to point the way is just as important. Whether you are driving or walking, flying in an airplane or navigating the city, you need to know how to ask for directions, how to help a person get somewhere if possible.
Once, during my school years, a foreigner approached me on Red Square, opened a huge map and, with a meaningful look, asked me how to get to some metro station (I don’t remember exactly). I was confused, opened my eyes and behaved like people from the famous Lingualeo video.
In general, the topic of movements, spaces and routes has always been unloved for me, probably because of my zealous desire not to perceive maps in general and all sorts of routes. Spatial idiocy, that's what it's called. I perceive the path purely intuitively. All sorts of maps and schemes drive me into unconscious anxiety and quiet horror.
Well, okay about me. So, expressions and words for orientation in space.
Turn left/ right . - Turn right / left, or Turn to the left / right
Go straight/straight on. - Go straight.
traffic lights. - Traffic light. No, no, these are not traffic lights.
Crossroads - crossroads.
Take the first turning / road / on your left / right. -Turn at the first turn / left.right.
You'll see.- You'll see
You`ll come.- You will come.
Go on for about 2 km .- Keep walking for 2 kilometers.
Go on for 5 minutes. - Keep walking for five minutes
Landmarks. - Landmarks on the ground.
Often we need to say about landmarks in space, the road. And we do not know how the “transition” will be. It's a shame, right?
TaxiRank. - Taxi rank.
Level crossing- Where the train and regular road intersections meet. Something like this.
underpass. Underground crossing.
flyover/overpass. Overhead passage
Zebra crossing. Where a pedestrian needs to go.
Tunnel. Tunnel
crossroads. And again a crossroads.
Junction. Type of fork, road intersections, nodes.
Fork of the road. Fork. Go to the left, you will become a goat.
round about. Circular motion!
main road. The main road.
lane. Lane.
Use prepositions of direction! There is a lot to be said about prepositions. I already spoke. But there is more!
gopast= Pass by and leave behind.
Go across= cross something
go along= Walk along
Go straight on= Go straight ahead
go up= go/ go up
go down= go down
gothrough= Drive through a city or a tunnel. Through
gooutof= to leave, to leave.
It's in front of you = This is in front of you
It's opposite the bank = This is opposite the bank.
It's on the corner= It's on the corner.
A typical "Where to go" conversation.
Excuse me, I'm looking for a bank. Excuse me, I'm looking for a bank
Go straight on. Take the second street on the right. You will see a shop at the corner. Pass the shop. Bank will be just opposite you. It's a 5-minute walk.
Go forward. Turn right on the second street. You will see a shop on the corner. Pass the store. The bank will be right in front of you. Walk about 5 minutes.
Idioms with directions and road.
Put the carriage before the horse. Drive the horses forward. Hurry, do things in the wrong order.
You always put the carriage before the horse! You are always in a hurry!
At the crossroads. At the crossroads. For example, at the crossroads of fate. At the crossroads. When there is an important decision in life and you have to choose
Let's continue the theme of the previous lesson and talk about how to ask for directions in an unfamiliar place, as well as how to show someone the way. To get started - read the useful phrases of the lesson.
Words and expressions on the topic (listen)
cross / go across the street - cross, cross
go past - pass by
go along - go along
go straight ahead - go straight ahead
go back - go back, return
go down / up the street - go down / up the street
to the right / left - right / left
on your right / left - to your right / left
turn - turn, turn
take the first turn to the right (to the left) - the first turn to the right (to the left)
round the corner - around the corner
at / on the corner - on the corner
close to - close to
I'm lost./I lost my way. - I'm lost.
How do I get to…? - How can I get to…?
How far is it? — How far is it?
How far is it to…? - How far is it to…?
Is this the right way to…? “Is this the right way to…?”
What's the best way to…? "What's the best way to get to...?"
How long will it take to get there? - How long does it take to get there?
It's five minutes walk from here. - It's a 5 minute walk from us.
It's too far to walk. - Go too far.
It's quite a way from here. - It's quite far from here.
It's quite near. - It's pretty close.
It's not far from here. - It's not far from here.
It's two blocks from here. “It's two blocks from here.
Do not forget about etiquette and phrases such as "excuse me" when you want to attract attention, as well as words of gratitude and request: "thanks" and "please". The more polite you sound, the better! For example: Excuse me, can you show me the way to the city center, please?
Use of new words in speech. Dialogues
Read some dialogues. To make working with the lesson material fruitful, you can try to reproduce these dialogues from memory or make similar ones using their example, using the names of the streets of your city.
Dialogue 1.
— Excuse me?
— Yes?
— I'm lost! Is this the way to City Square?
No, I'm afraid it isn't. You're going the wrong way.
— Oh dear. Can you tell me the way to City Square?
Yes. Go straight along this street and then take the first turn left. You will see a sign to City Square.
— Thank you!
- Sorry?
- Yes?
- I'm lost. Is this the road to City Square?
- I am afraid no. You are going the wrong way.
- Oh my God. Can you tell me the way to City Square?
- Yes. Go straight down this street and turn left. You will see the City Square sign.
- Thanks!
Dialogue 2.
— I need to get to Washington Avenue. Can I get there by bus?
Yes, you can take any bus, but you'd better walk. It's quite near.
How long will it take to get there?
- It's 5 minutes walk from here. Go down this street and then take the first turn to the left.
— Thanks a lot!
“I need to get to Washington Avenue. Can I get there by bus?
— Yes, you can take any bus, but it is better to walk. It's pretty close.
- How long does it take to get there?
- Five minutes walk. Walk down the street and then turn left at the first turn.
- Thanks!
As you can see, all conversations on the street with directions and questions about the road should be as informative, understandable and, of course, polite as possible.
Tasks for the lesson
Task 1. Translate into English.
- I'm afraid we're lost and can't find our way.
- How to get to York Village?
- Excuse me, how do I get to the Mayflower Hotel? - Walk two blocks, cross the street, on your right you will see a hotel.
- Where are you? - At the corner of Maple Street and Taylor Avenue.
- Is this the right way to Duke Street? Yes, it's ten minutes away.
- Walk up the street and turn right at the second intersection.
- Pharmacy just around the corner.
- How far to Red Square?
How often in your life have you had to get lost on the streets of an unfamiliar city abroad? Or maybe you were asked in English how to get to such and such an address, but you did not know what to answer? Let's fix this unacceptable mistake once and for all and learn how to correctly ask for directions on, and also learn how to tell other people in a difficult situation.
Everyone who has ever traveled has probably tried to ask for directions in English. However, not everyone knows how to ask the way in order to be understood by foreigners as much as possible. In addition, when we are suddenly asked in English how to get somewhere, it is also not always possible to remember the right words. However, it's all about a few phrases that you just need to remember.
We give directions in English
The picture shows the main directions of movement with translation:
Go straight on until you come to a crossroads. - Go straight to the crossroads.
Turn left into Gordon Street. - Turn left onto Gordon Street.
Take the next left. - The next turn is to the left.
Take the second road on the left . - Turn left on the second road (second lane).
Turn right at the traffic lights. - Turn right at the traffic lights.
It's opposite the church. - It's opposite the church.
It's next to the bank. - It's next to the bank.
It's between the school and the shop. - It's between the school and the store.
It's at the end of the road. - It's at the end of the road.
It's on the corner of Market Street and Baker Street. - It's on the corner of Market Street and Baker Street.
It's just behind this building. - It's behind this building.
It's in front of the school. - It's in front of the school.
It's just around the corner. - It's around the corner here.
It's on the left/right. - It (is) on the left / on the right.
It's around the corner.- It's around the corner.
It is better if you take a taxi. - It's better to take a taxi.
It's 500 meters from here. - It's 500 meters from here.
Bank Street is parallel to this street. - Bank Street is parallel to this street.
Penny Street is perpendicular to this street. - Penny Street is perpendicular to this street.
It's four blocks down the street on this side of the road. - It's four blocks down this side of the street.
Turn right at the round about. - Turn right at the road roundabout.
Asking for directions: useful expressions
Use these blank phrases to ask for directions in an unfamiliar place:
I'm trying to get to the museum. - I'm trying to get into the museum (I need to find my way to the museum).
Do you know where the post office is? - Do you know where the post office is?
What's the best way to get to the train station? - What is the best way to get to the railway station?
Can you give me directions to the nearest bus stop? Can you give directions to the nearest bus stop?
How do I get to the train station? — How to get to the railway station?
Where can I find the nearest bakery? Where can I find the nearest bakery?
How can I get to the bank? - How to get to the bank?
Where is the hospital? - Where is the hospital?
Don't forget to be polite:
Exuse me, how can I go to the library? - Excuse me how to get to the library?
Exuse me, is there a supermarket near here? — Excuse me, is there a supermarket anywhere nearby?
Pardon me, I'm lost, how do I get to the library? — Sorry, I'm lost, how can I get to the library?
Could you please, tell me how to get to the computer store? — Could you tell me how to get to the computer store?
Dialogue on the topic
If the presented material seems insufficient to you, I suggest moving on to a dialogue on the topic of orientation in English. Here you will find many additional phrases about how to ask for directions or help someone by indicating the direction of travel.
Fill in the gaps in the sentences with the following words: east, bank, school, roundabout, third, church
The dialogue is quite interesting and simple, so try to translate it yourself. Moreover, you received enough hints in this lesson, so you can use them when translating.
Lenny: Excuse me, I'm trying to find a pub called the Cock & Bull. Could you point me in the right direction?
George: Ah… the Cock & Bull. I know it well. excellent pub.
Lenny: Oh, great. I'm new to the city and I'm supposed to meet a friend there, but I haven't got a clue where I am.
George: Right. Go straight ahead. Then, take the (1) _______ road on your left. That's Queen Street. Follow it until you pass a (2) ________, and then… No, hang on. That's not right.
Lenny: Oh, I can ask someone else if you're not sure.
George: No, no. I know London like the back of my hand… OK. Ignore everything I just said. From here, you want to get onto Charles Street, which is parallel to this street. Then walk (3) ______ about 500 meters until you see an old (4) _______. Turn right at the church and… Wait a minute…
Lenny: I've got a map here...
George: I don't need a map. I've lived here all my life. And the Cock & Bull isn't far. Excellent pub, by the way. They do a fantastic steak and kidney pie… Or was it steak and mushroom? Anyway. Go about four hundred meters that way and when you get to a (5)____________, hang a left. Walk for another two minutes and you'll see a (5)_________ on the opposite side of the road. The pub is just next to the bank. You can't miss it.
Lenny: Great! thank you!
George: No, hold on… That's where the pub used to be. It moved 15 years ago.
Lenny: Maybe I should ask someone else.
George: No, no, I'm your man. I practically live at the Bear & Bull.
Lenny: You mean the Cock & Bull.
George: No, the Bear & Bull.
Lenny: I'm trying to get to the Cock & Bull.
George: The Cock & Bull? No ideas! Never heard of it! Goodbye!
It is in such a funny form that dialogues can take place in our lives. Anyway, this dialog showed us how to give directions in English in real life, as well as how to ask passers-by for directions. As you can see, passers-by cannot always help, so you need to be more patient and not despair.
Hello, dear listeners and readers! We continue slowly. But it is true to master the series of audio lessons “So they say in America”, and along with the course, the spoken English of ordinary Americans. In today's lesson, you will be able to learn ask for directions as well as explaining directions, how to drive or get to the place you or someone else needs in American English. Ask for directions and explain directions in English
In a foreign city, it is sometimes very difficult to find a certain street or building, but, as they say, the language will bring you to Kyiv, and in our case, to Washington. Do not hesitate to ask passers-by how to get or drive to the place you need, and do not refuse to help other foreigners if they ask you for directions. And in order to be able to ask or explain correctly, today you will learn a lot of new and useful vocabulary in English.
As always, let's start with Martin Lerner's conversation with other characters. This time our good friend, VOA reporter Martin, walks the American streets asking questions and trying to figure out how to get to the Museum of Fine Arts by asking a few passers-by for directions. Let's find out what strangers answer him, and whether he managed to find out how to get to the museum:
Martin: Excuse me, where is Art Museum? - Excuse me, where is it?
Male 1: Sorry. I don't know. - Sorry. I dont know.
Martin: Where is the Museum? - Can you tell me where the Museum of Fine Arts is?
Female 1: Go straight ahead. - Go straight ahead.
Martin: Excuse me, where is the Art Museum? — Excuse me, can you tell me where the Museum of Fine Arts is?
Female 2: It's on the river. It's on the Jefferson Street. - It's on the river bank. It is located on Jefferson Street.
As you can see, it is easier for a woman to make contact, unlike men. And with the help of two strangers, Martin managed to find out where the place he needed was located.
Remember also the online lesson Find out who is doing what
Use the audio recording of the lesson to hear how the dialogue is pronounced by ordinary Americans and hear other words and phrases in English. Pay attention to the intonation with which Lerner asks passers-by for directions: /wp-content/uploads/2014/09/russian_english_006.mp3
Listening to how Americans pronounce the words, repeat all the expressions after them to train your own pronunciation. Follow the instructions of A. Fillipova to master the lesson in sequence.
Asking for directions in English
With the help of a convenient table with phrases in English and translation into Russian, today you will learn new expressions, interrogative words, as well as some grammatical categories of words: verbs, nouns, pronouns, adverbs, prepositions.
|
Ask and explain |
|
| Phrases | |
| I apologize | Sorry. I'm sorry |
| Sorry. Sorry | Excuse me |
| Verbs | |
| to ask | ask |
| go | go |
| come | come |
| turn | turn |
| Verb + negation + know (Verb + negative particle + know) | |
| written form - in writing | I don't know |
| spoken - in oral speech | I don't know |
| Nouns | |
| building | building |
| museum | Museum |
| director | director |
| river | river |
| Adverbs | |
| left | left |
| right | right |
| way down | downstairs |
| up | upstairs |
| directly | straight ahead |
| there | there |
| Prepositions | |
| there | over there |
| on: by the river | on: on the river |
| Pronouns | |
| It: It's on the river | he, it, it: He is on the river |
| Question words | |
| where |
where |
You may have noticed that some words and even whole expressions can be translated differently, however, in context, these lexemes are very similar, and can be interpreted as indicated in the table. Be sure to save and learn this table!
See also interesting article
