Vocabulary for giving directions and asking for help

 Learn how to navigate new places and ask for assistance confidently in English

Whether you're traveling, exploring a new city, or helping someone find their way, knowing how to give directions and ask for help is essential. In this guide, you'll learn useful vocabulary and phrases that will help you handle these everyday situations like a native speaker. Plus, you'll get practical examples and tips to remember the vocabulary long term.

Giving Directions in the City. Image by Englishconv.com

🧭 Essential vocabulary for giving directions

Here are the most common words and phrases used when giving directions:

🔹 Direction Words

Word/Phrase	Meaning	Example
Go straight	Continue moving in the same direction	Go straight for two blocks.
Turn left/right	Change direction to the left or right	Turn left at the traffic lights.
Take the first/second...	Refers to street turns or exits	Take the second right after the bank.
Across from	Opposite something	The bookstore is across from the post office.
Next to / Beside	Very close, on the side of something	The pharmacy is next to the supermarket.
On the corner	Where two streets meet	The café is on the corner of Pine Street and Main Street.
Behind	At the back of something	The parking lot is behind the building.
In front of	Before or facing something	The bus stop is in front of the school.
Between	In the middle of two things	The ATM is between the bank and the coffee shop.

🗣️ Common Phrases for Giving Directions

Use these phrases to guide someone clearly and politely:

• “Go straight down this street until you see…”

• “Turn right at the next intersection.”

• “You’ll see it on your left.”

• “It’s just around the corner.”

• “Walk past the gas station, then turn left.”

• “It’s about a five-minute walk from here.”

🙋‍♂️ Useful Phrases for Asking for Help

If you're lost or unsure, these expressions will help you ask politely:

🔹 General Help

• “Excuse me, could you help me, please?”

• “Sorry to bother you, but I need some help.”

• “I’m looking for [place]. Do you know where it is?”

• “Can you tell me how to get to [place]?”

🔹 Asking for Directions

• “Which way is the [train station]?”

• “Is there a [bank/pharmacy] near here?”

• “How far is it from here?”

• “Can I walk there from here?”

• “Do I need to take a bus or train?”

🧠 Tips to Remember Vocabulary Long-Term

1. Use Flashcards with Images

Create flashcards with a word on one side and a picture or example sentence on the other. Tools like Anki or Quizlet are great for this.

2. Practice in Real Life

Next time you're in your city, pretend someone asked for directions. Practice explaining how to get somewhere—even out loud!

3. Watch Videos or Use Maps

Watch videos where people give directions or use Google Maps in English. Describe the directions aloud as if you're the guide.

4. Role Play

With a friend, teacher, or language partner, take turns being the person asking and the person giving directions.

📘 Mini-Dialogue Example

Tourist: Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the museum?

Local: Sure! Go straight down this street for about two blocks. Then turn right at the traffic lights. The museum is on your left, just next to the library.

Tourist: Thank you so much!

Local: You’re welcome! Enjoy your visit.

✅ Quick Vocabulary Recap

Situation	Useful Vocabulary
Asking for help	Excuse me, Can you help me?, I’m looking for…
Giving directions	Go straight, Turn left, On the corner, Between…
Landmarks	Library, Bank, Post office, Train station, Supermarket…

🏁 Conclusion: Practice Makes Perfect

Mastering the vocabulary for giving directions and asking for help boosts your confidence and makes your English more useful in daily life. Start practicing these words and phrases today—and don’t be afraid to use them when traveling or meeting English speakers!