Directions

1. How do I get to the train station?

   haʊ duː aɪ ɡɛt tuː ðə treɪn ˈsteɪʃən

   Usage

   The most common way to ask for directions; replace "train station" with any destination

   Grammar Note

   "How do I get to ~?" asks for route instructions; "Where is ~?" asks for location only

2. Turn left at the traffic light.

   tɜːrn lɛft æt ðə ˈtræfɪk laɪt

   Usage

   A standard direction instruction; swap "left" for "right" to indicate a right turn

   Grammar Note

   Uses the imperative form (bare verb). Add a landmark like "at the corner" for clarity

3. Go straight for two blocks.

   ɡoʊ streɪt fɔːr tuː blɑːks

   Usage

   Instruction to continue straight; "blocks" is a common distance unit in North America

   Grammar Note

   "for two blocks" specifies distance; use "until you see ~" when distance is unclear

4. It's on your right.

   ɪts ɑːn jɔːr raɪt

   Usage

   Tells someone which side a destination is on; swap "right" for "left" as needed

   Grammar Note

   "on the right" is equivalent. "You can't miss it" is often added to reassure the listener

5. Is it within walking distance?

   ɪz ɪt wɪðɪn ˈwɔːkɪŋ ˈdɪstəns

   Usage

   Used to find out if a destination is close enough to walk; helps decide on transport

   Grammar Note

   A typical answer is "Yes, about 10 minutes on foot" or "No, you'd better take a taxi"

6. Can you show me on the map?

   kæn juː ʃoʊ miː ɑːn ðə mæp

   Usage

   Used when verbal directions are hard to follow; works with paper maps or smartphone apps

   Grammar Note

   "Can you ~?" is a polite request; "Could you ~?" is slightly more formal

7. I think I'm lost.

   aɪ θɪŋk aɪm lɔːst

   Usage

   A useful opener when asking for help after getting lost; "I think" softens the statement

   Grammar Note

   "I'm lost" is equally correct; "I think" makes it sound less panicked and more conversational

8. Take the first exit on the left.

   teɪk ðə fɜːrst ˈɛksɪt ɑːn ðə lɛft

   Usage

   Useful for directing someone to a subway exit or a roundabout exit

   Grammar Note

   Ordinals (first, second, third) are standard in directions to indicate sequence

9. It's next to the convenience store.

   ɪts nɛkst tuː ðə kənˈviːniəns stɔːr

   Usage

   Gives location relative to a landmark; "next to" can be replaced with "across from" or "behind"

   Grammar Note

   Key prepositions: next to, across from, behind, in front of, between, around the corner

10. How long does it take by taxi?

    haʊ lɔːŋ dʌz ɪt teɪk baɪ ˈtæksi

    Usage

    Asks about travel time; swap "by taxi" with "by bus", "by subway", or "on foot"

    Grammar Note

    "How long does it take to ~?" uses "by + vehicle" or "on foot" for the mode of transport

11. Right

    raɪt

    Usage

    The direction; "right" also means "correct", so point with your hand as you show it

12. Left

    lɛft

    Usage

    The direction; the same form is the past tense of "leave", so point as you show it

13. Straight ahead

    streɪt əˈhɛd

    Usage

    Tells a driver or a passer-by to keep going forward

14. Go back

    ɡoʊ bæk

    Usage

    Tells the driver to turn around and go back the way you came

15. Stop

    stɑːp

    Usage

    Shows a taxi driver where to pull over; also works in an emergency

16. North

    nɔːrθ

    Usage

    For reading a map or compass together with someone

17. South

    saʊθ

    Usage

    For reading a map or compass together with someone

18. East

    iːst

    Usage

    For reading a map or compass together with someone

19. West

    wɛst

    Usage

    For reading a map or compass together with someone

20. Hotel

    hoʊˈtɛl

    Usage

    Show it with the name of your hotel when asking the way

21. Airport

    ˈɛrpɔːrt

    Usage

    Show it as your destination in a taxi

22. Bus stop

    bʌs stɑːp

    Usage

    A roadside stop; a long-distance terminal is a "bus station"

23. Metro

    ˈmɛtroʊ

    Usage

    The US says "subway" and the UK "underground" or "tube"; in the UK a "subway" is a pedestrian underpass, so "metro" travels best

24. Embassy

    ˈɛmbəsi

    Usage

    Show it as your destination if you lose your passport

25. ATM

    ˌeɪtiːˈɛm

    Usage

    The UK also calls it a "cashpoint"

26. Currency exchange

    ˈkɜːrənsi ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ

    Usage

    Signs may also read "bureau de change" — the same thing

27. Laundromat

    ˈlɔːndrəmæt

    Usage

    Called a "launderette" in the UK; a hotel doing it for you is a "laundry service"

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