German - Asking Directions

Entschuldigung, wo ist ___?

Excuse me, where is ___?

Meaning: Excuse me, where is ___?

When to use: Use this polite question to ask a stranger where a specific place or building is. Fill the blank with the place name (e.g., den Bahnhof, das Museum).

Wie komme ich zu ___?

How do I get to ___?

Meaning: How do I get to ___?

When to use: Ask this when you want step-by-step directions. Remember: use zu + dative (zum, zur) for places with articles; use nach for cities.

Tip: Don't say *nach* with places that need an article (e.g., say „zur Bank“, not „nach der Bank").

Ist es hier in der Nähe?

Is it near here?

Meaning: Is it near here?

When to use: Use to check if a place is close by. You can also specify the place with a gendered article: „Ist die Post hier in der Nähe?“

Ist es weit von hier?

Is it far from here?

Meaning: Is it far from here?

When to use: Ask this when you suspect the place may be some distance away.

Immer geradeaus.

Go straight.

Meaning: Go straight ahead.

When to use: Use as a short instruction to tell someone to continue forward.

Dann links abbiegen.

Turn left.

Meaning: Turn left.

When to use: Give a left turn instruction. Polite forms use full conjugation, but this short form is common and neutral.

Dann rechts abbiegen.

Turn right.

Meaning: Turn right.

When to use: Give a right turn instruction. Short and common in spoken directions.

Es ist auf der linken Seite.

It's on the left.

Meaning: It's on the left.

When to use: Use to point out that a place is located on the left side of the street.

Es ist auf der rechten Seite.

It's on the right.

Meaning: It's on the right.

When to use: Use to say a place is on the right side of the street; short spoken version: „Rechts.“

Können Sie mir sagen, wie ich zu ___ komme?

Can you tell me the way to ___?

Meaning: Can you tell me the way to ___?

When to use: A polite, full question using Sie — good when asking strangers for directions. Fill the blank with the place (use zum/zur where needed).

Tip: Beginners sometimes mix du/Sie forms; keep Sie here for polite requests to strangers.

Geht’s hier zu ___?

Is this the way to ___?

Meaning: Is this the way to ___?

When to use: Use this casual question to check whether you're going the right direction toward a place.

Wo geht’s zu ___?

Which way is ___?

Meaning: Which way is ___?

When to use: Ask to have someone point out the direction to a place. Often heard in quick spoken German.

Muss ich geradeaus gehen?

Do I go straight?

Meaning: Do I go straight?

When to use: Ask this when you're not sure whether to continue straight on your route.