French - Directions

Je cherche ___.

I'm looking for ___.

Meaning: I'm looking for ___.

When to use: Use this to say what place or thing you want to find (shop, station, street name).

Tip: Leave articles (la/le) in — say 'la gare' not just 'gare'.

C'est loin ?

Is it far?

Meaning: Is it far?

When to use: Ask this when you want to know the distance or whether you can walk there.

C'est près d'ici ?

Is it near here?

Meaning: Is it near here?

When to use: Use this to ask if a place is close to your current location.

C'est par où ?

Which way is it?

Meaning: Which way is it?

When to use: Say this when you know the place name but not the direction.

Tourne à gauche.

Turn left.

Meaning: Turn left.

When to use: Use this to tell someone to turn left while walking; for a polite or plural form say 'Tournez à gauche.'

Tip: Remember 'Tourne' is informal; use 'Tournez à gauche' with strangers or groups.

Tourne à droite.

Turn right.

Meaning: Turn right.

When to use: Use to tell someone to turn right; formal/plural is 'Tournez à droite.'

Va tout droit.

Go straight ahead.

Meaning: Go straight ahead.

When to use: Tell someone to continue forward; formal/plural is 'Allez tout droit.'

Tip: People sometimes say 'Allez' in formal situations; 'Va' is informal.

C'est au bout de la rue.

It's at the end of the street.

Meaning: It's at the end of the street.

When to use: Use this to say where a place is located along a street.

C'est en face.

It's opposite. / It's across the way.

Meaning: It's opposite. / It's across the way.

When to use: Say this when the place is directly across the street or facing you.

C'est entre ___ et ___.

It's between ___ and ___.

Meaning: It's between ___ and ___.

When to use: Use with two known places to describe location (e.g., between the bank and the café).

Tip: Include both places and 'et' — don't forget the second landmark.