Once upon a time, tourists used to have to ask for directions to find their way in a foreign city, and the guidance and advice of a local is invaluable when looking for a museum or trying to figure out how to get to a train station on time. But even today, despite GPS technology and step-by-step directions from various digital maps and apps, but there’s nothing like having a local confirm that a museum entrance is just a few steps away, or that we’re on the right bus in the right direction. Plus, asking for directions is a great way to mingle with locals and practice your language skills!
First, the basics. excuse me or excuse me (excuse me) is the best way to grab the attention of passers-by in a polite way before you actually start asking directions in Italian.more informal if he or she is your age or younger excuse me! Will suffice.Italian has Two levels of politeness, you and Lei, but people are less likely to get angry if foreigners don’t use polite forms towards them.The second most useful phrase is Where… ? it’s a contraction wherewhere…?Then there’s where you’re looking:
Where is the station?
Where is the train station?
- Where is the Archaeological Museum? = Where is the Archaeological Museum?
- Where is the ticket window? = Where is the ticket office?
- Where is the Miramar Hotel? = Where is the Miramar Hotel?
- Where is Da Ciro Pizzeria? = Where is Da Ciro’s Pizzeria?
Of course you might want to ask where you are now: Where are we? Where are we?
If you want to be more complicated, you can add this formula before your question, where the first option is the polite form: Can you tell me/Can you tell me… or Can you tell me/Can you tell me… (Can you tell me…), or else: Sa/Sai… (do you know…)
So, the conversation could start like this:
Excuse me, can you tell me where the Colosseum is?
Excuse me, can you tell me where the gym is? (polite form)
Excuse me, do you know where the bus stop is?
Excuse me, do you know where the bus stop is?
Alternatively, you can say: I’m looking for… I’m looking for…
- Excuse me, I’m looking for the Film Museum. Do you know where it is? = Excuse me, I’m looking for the Film Museum. Do you know where it is?
otherwise: I have to go… I must go…
- Sorry, I have to go to the fair. can you help me? = Excuse me, I have to go to the playground. can you help me?
The real trouble starts when another interlocutor starts giving directions in Italian, because you have to understand the answers, which can involve varying degrees of complexity. The simplest but least helpful answer is:
Sorry, I don’t know.
sorry, I do not know.
I’m not from here.
I’m not from here.
If you’re lucky enough to find locals in one of the most touristy places and they don’t seem to be in a hurry, do take advantage of them and ask for the best view of the city from the office to the good restaurant for dinner good pastry shop Breakfast the next day. Most will be more than happy to help, maybe even more than you’d like. If they are too eager, you can use the following expression:
- Excuse me/Sorry, I didn’t understand. = Sorry, I didn’t understand.
- Can / can you speak more slowly? = Can you speak more slowly?
- Can / can you repeat? = Can you say that again?
- Can / you can you show me on the map? = Can you point me to the map?
Finally, directions! You need at least the following adverbs and prepositional phrases:
- turn right; turn left = turn right; turn left
- straight = straight
- in front of (+ preposition A)= the opposite
- neighbor; distant (+ preposition A)= near/far
- in front of; behind (+ preposition A)= in front/back
- In summary (+ preposition A)= at the end
To put together the sentences you’re most likely to hear after asking for directions in Italian, we need some common action verbs:
- go = go, go
- cross = across
- arrive = arrive, arrive
- to rotate = change
- take = grab hold
- go out; fall = go up; go down
We also need to be able to name streets and landmarks:
- street/street = street, road
- alley = alley
- square = square
- intersection = crossroads
- traffic light = Traffic lights, also used to indicate intersections
- bank = bank
- pharmacy = pharmacy
- shop = shop
- supermarket = supermarket
- theater = theater
- church = church
- palace/building = architecture
How do these fragments fit into meaningful sentences? To give advice, the verb is placed in the imperative sentence.If you need to revisit the imperative tone, we will do so in this video About da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
In the sentences below, the first option is the polite form:
- turn/turn right = turn right
- turn/turn street = turn at the end of the street
- turn/turn in front of church = turn before church
- you cross / cross the road = cross the road
- Take / take the first street on the left = Take the first street on the left
- Vada / Straight to the intersection = Go straight to the intersection
You can now hold full conversations with friendly passers-by. Don’t forget the proper thank you and goodbye formula when taking time off.
Excuse me, can you tell me where Via Verdi is?
Excuse me, can you tell me where Via Verdi is?
Via Verdi is the second street on the left. Cross the road and turn left, the shoe store is there.
Via Verdi is the second street on the left. Cross the road and turn left, the shoe store is there.
Thanks so much bye!
Thank you very much and see you soon!
It’s easy. Let’s ask for more information.
Excuse me, I’m looking for The Wild Boar restaurant. Do you know where it is?
Excuse me, I’m looking for trattoria Il cinghiale. Do you know where it is?
No, sorry, I’ve never heard of it.
No, sorry, I’ve never heard of it.
Can you recommend nearby restaurants?
Can you recommend nearby restaurants?
I recommend Da Mario restaurant. It is located on the market square.
I recommend Big Mario. It’s on the market square.
Where is the market square? Is she far?
Where is the market square? Is it far?
No, it’s a stone’s throw away. Cross the intersection and turn right, the restaurant is just around the corner.
No, it’s just a stone’s throw away. Cross the intersection and turn right, the restaurant is just around the corner.
Thank you, You’re so kind!
Thanks, you are very kind!
Watch the video: Italian directional words and phrases
This excellent video covers all the basics we’ve looked at in this article, from asking directions in Italian to giving directions yourself, to all the correct answers. enjoy!
my italian circle Here you’ll find new and engaging ways to learn Italian, test and improve your listening skills, and even live peacefully with Italian grammar. We create clear, accurate, authentic content on YouTube and Patreon every week.
