Giving or asking for directions (Edexcel GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
Giving or asking for directions
Learning how to give and ask for directions is essential when travelling in Spanish-speaking countries. This skill helps you navigate cities, find tourist attractions, and communicate effectively with locals.
Mastering direction-giving and asking is one of the most practical Spanish skills you'll use. It's often the difference between feeling confident and getting completely lost in a new city!
Essential direction vocabulary
Understanding key verbs and phrases for directions will help you both follow instructions and ask for help when needed. These words form the foundation of all direction-related conversations in Spanish.
Direction verbs
The following verbs are essential for giving and following directions. You'll hear these constantly when asking locals for help:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| cruzar | to cross |
| tomar | to take |
| coger | to catch |
| seguir | to follow, carry on |
| salir | to leave |
| continuar | to continue |
| bajar | to go down |
| subir | to go up |
| caminar | to walk |
Common Direction Commands:
- Cruza el puente. (Cross the bridge.)
- Sigue esta calle. (Follow this street.)
- Toma la primera calle. (Take the first street.)
These are the most frequently used commands you'll hear when asking for directions.
Location and direction phrases
These spatial relationship words are crucial for understanding exactly where things are located:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| a la derecha | on the right |
| a la izquierda | on the left |
| al lado de | next to |
| antes de | before |
| después de | after |
| hasta | up to, as far as |
| a unos metros | a few metres away |
| estar cerca (de) | to be near/close (to) |
| estar lejos (de) | to be far (from) |
| la esquina | (street) corner |
Location Phrase Usage:
- La farmacia está a la derecha. (The pharmacy is on the right.)
- El banco está al lado de la tienda. (The bank is next to the shop.)
- La estación está cerca del centro. (The station is near the centre.)
Grammar for giving instructions
When giving directions, you use the imperative form of verbs to make commands or instructions. This is the most important grammar point for direction-giving.
Critical Grammar Rule: The imperative form is essential for giving directions. Without it, your instructions will sound like statements rather than clear commands.
Singular commands (talking to one person)
The rule is simple: remove the s from the second person singular form of the verb:
- bajas → baja (go down)
- tomas → toma (take)
- sigues → sigue (follow)
Imperative Formation Practice:
Step 1: Start with the "tú" form
- tú bajas (you go down)
- tú tomas (you take)
- tú sigues (you follow)
Step 2: Remove the "s"
- baja (go down!)
- toma (take!)
- sigue (follow!)
Step 3: Use in sentences
- Toma la primera calle. (Take the first street.)
- Cruza el puente. (Cross the bridge.)
- Sigue esta calle. (Follow this street.)
Plural commands (talking to more than one person)
Add these endings to the verb stem:
- -ar verbs → add -ad (tomad)
- -er verbs → add -ed (coged)
- -ir verbs → add -id (seguid)
Plural commands are less commonly used in tourist situations, but you'll encounter them in group settings or when locals are addressing multiple people at once.
Asking for directions
These polite phrases help you ask for help when you're lost or looking for specific places. Politeness is crucial when approaching strangers for help.
Key asking phrases
Learning these essential question patterns will help you get the information you need:
- Por favour, ¿hay una farmacia por aquí? (Excuse me, is there a pharmacy round here?)
- ¿Me puede decir cómo llegar a...? (Can you tell me how to get to...?)
- ¿Está lejos el centro? (Is the centre far?)
Politeness Tip: Always start with "Perdón" (excuse me) or "Disculpe" (excuse me - more formal) and end with "gracias" (thank you). This makes locals much more willing to help!
Common responses you might hear
When someone gives you directions, listen for these key instruction patterns:
- Primero, continúa por esta calle hasta el final. (First, continue along this street to the end.)
- Allí, toma la calle a la derecha. (There, take the street on the right.)
- Está a unos cinco minutos andando. (It's about five minutes walking.)
Don't worry if you don't catch every word! Focus on the key direction verbs (toma, sigue, cruza) and location phrases (a la derecha, al lado de) to get the general idea.
Practice with directions
Understanding directions involves recognising sequence words and location references. These connecting words help you follow multi-step directions successfully.
Practice identifying these essential elements:
- Starting points: Para empezar (to start with), Primero (first)
- Next steps: Entonces (then), Después (after), Luego (next)
- Final destinations: Al final (at the end), Allí (there)
Translation practice
Test your understanding with these practice sentences:
Translation Exercise:
Spanish to English:
- Cruza la plaza y sigue recto.
- La tienda está cerca del banco.
English to Spanish:
- Turn left at the corner.
- The hotel is next to the restaurant.
Answers:
- Cross the square and go straight on. / The shop is near the bank.
- Gira a la izquierda en la esquina. / El hotel está al lado del restaurante.
Key Points to Remember:
- Drop the s from regular verbs when giving commands to one person
- Use por favor to be polite when asking for directions
- Listen for sequence words like primero, entonces, después to follow multi-step directions
- Location phrases like a la derecha, al lado de, and cerca de are essential for understanding where things are
- Practice both asking for and giving directions to build confidence in real situations
- Start conversations with "Perdón" or "Disculpe" and always say "gracias"