Asking for Directions

Most of the time, you should start by saying excuse me. The pronunciation for excuse me can be shortened. The shortened form sounds like 'scuse me.'

"Excuse me. Do you know where the post office is?"
"Excuse me. Can you point me to the nearest gas station?"
"Excuse me. Can you give me quick directions to the movie theatre?"
"Excuse me. Do you know how to get to the Shopping mall from here?"
"Excuse me. How do I get to the freeway from here?"

"Excuse me. I'm looking for Bank of America. I thought it was around here. Do you know where it is?"
"Excuse me. I'm looking for the post office. Do you know how to get there?"

"Excuse me. What is the best way to get to Seattle?"

When you ask for directions, the person responding will usually give you quick directions. The next section is a list of common phrases used when giving directions. You should study them carefully so when someone gives you directions, you can understand them without having to say 'one more time.

Left Right and Around the Corner

Take a Left/Right

"Take a left at the next light."
"Take a right at the gas station."
"When you get to Robson Street, take a left."
"After you pass 7-11, take a right at the next light."
"Take a left when you come to a stop sign."

Turn Left/Right

"Turn right on 112th."
"Turn left after you pass McDonalds."
"When you see a church on your left hand side, turn right on the next street."
"Turn left at the next street and immediately take another left."

Just/Right around the corner

"It's just right around the corner on the left side."
"It's right around the corner from the Starbucks over there."
"Go down the street, turn left on Williams Street, and it will be right around the corner from the gas station."

Across Blocks and Miles

Go for five blocks/After three blocks

"After you turn right, go for five blocks and turn left. It will be right around the corner."
"After three blocks, turn left. You will see it on your right hand side."
"Go for four blocks and then turn right."

Across the street from/Directly across

"It's across the street from the library."
"It's directly across from Taco Bell."
"Go for three blocks, turn left at the next light. You'll see it across the street from McDonalds."
"Go down the street. You'll see it directly across from the gas station."