English - Lesson 106 of 139: Asking Directions

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Excuse me, where is ___?

politely ask for the location of a place

Meaning: politely ask for the location of a place

When to use: Use this to politely ask exactly where something is (fill the blank with a place).

Tip: Don't say "Where it is?" — correct word order is "Where is... ?"

Excuse me, where is the bank?

Polite question asking the location of the bank.

Excuse me, where is the bus stop?

Polite question asking the location of the bus stop.

How do I get to ___?

ask how to reach a place

Meaning: ask how to reach a place

When to use: Use this when you want directions or the route to a destination.

How do I get to the train station?

Asking for the route to the train station.

How do I get to the airport?

Asking how to reach the airport.

Is it near here?

ask about distance to a place

Meaning: ask about distance to a place

When to use: Ask this to find out if you can walk to a place or if it is close by.

Is the supermarket near here?

Checking if the supermarket is close.

Is the coffee shop near here?

Asking whether the coffee shop is nearby.

Is it far from here?

ask about longer distance to a place

Meaning: ask about longer distance to a place

When to use: Use this when you want to know if the destination is far and may need transport.

Is the hospital far from here?

Asking if the hospital is far away.

Is the park far from here?

Checking whether the park is at a long distance.

Go straight.

give a simple forward direction

Meaning: give a simple forward direction

When to use: Tell someone to continue straight ahead for a distance.

Tip: Avoid saying "go straightly" — say "Go straight."

Go straight for two blocks.

Instruction to continue straight for two blocks.

From the corner, go straight.

Instruction to go forward from the corner.

Turn left.

give a left-turn direction

Meaning: give a left-turn direction

When to use: Tell someone to turn left at a point or landmark.

Tip: Don’t say "Left turn" as a direct instruction; say "Turn left."

Turn left at the traffic light.

Instruction to turn left at the traffic light.

When you see the school, turn left.

Instruction to take a left after the school.

Turn right.

give a right-turn direction

Meaning: give a right-turn direction

When to use: Tell someone to turn right at a point or landmark.

Turn right after the post office.

Instruction to turn right after the post office.

Turn right at the next street.

Instruction to take the next right.

It's on the left.

say a place is on the left side

Meaning: say a place is on the left side

When to use: Use this to tell someone which side of the street a place is on.

The bookstore—it's on the left.

Explaining the bookstore is on the left side.

You'll see the cafe; it's on the left.

Pointing out the cafe is on the left.

It's on the right.

say a place is on the right side

Meaning: say a place is on the right side

When to use: Use this to tell someone a place is on the right side of the street.

The museum is on the right.

Saying the museum is on the right side.

The pharmacy is on the right.

Pointing out the pharmacy is on the right.

Can you tell me the way to ___?

Ask for a place location using a polite question

Meaning: Ask for a place location using a polite question

When to use: A general polite way to ask someone to explain the route to a place.

Can you tell me the way to the library?

Polite request for directions to the library.

Can you tell me the way to the airport?

Asking someone to explain how to get to the airport.

Is this the way to ___?

Ask if the speaker is going in the correct direction

Meaning: Ask if the speaker is going in the correct direction

When to use: Ask this when you want to confirm you are on the right route.

Is this the way to Central Station?

Checking if the current direction leads to Central Station.

Is this the way to the hotel?

Confirming whether this route goes to the hotel.

Which way is ___?

Ask someone to indicate a direction

Meaning: Ask someone to indicate a direction

When to use: Use this short question when you need someone to point or say a direction.

Which way is the bus stop?

Asking someone to indicate the direction of the bus stop.

Which way is the nearest bank?

Requesting the direction to the nearest bank.

Do I go straight?

Ask if one should continue moving straight

Meaning: Ask if one should continue moving straight

When to use: Use this to confirm whether to keep going straight after a turn or landmark.

Do I go straight at the corner?

Asking if you should continue straight at the corner.

Do I go straight after the bridge?

Checking if you should continue forward after the bridge.

English - Asking Directions

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase is a polite question to ask where a place is?

Which question asks about how far a place is?

Which phrase asks for a route to a place?

Which question checks if you should continue forward?

Can you tell me the way to ___? — A polite request for directions.

Is it near here? — Asking if a place is close.

Is this the way to ___? — Confirming the route at an intersection.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice