When you need this

Your phone is dead, the map app is confused, or the building numbers make no sense. You need to ask a stranger. In most cities that's normal, and most people are happy to help if the question is short and starts with "Excuse me."

The hard part isn't the question. It's the answer, which comes fast, with hand movements and street names you don't know. So ask one thing, listen for two or three key words, and check what you heard. The next lessons in this unit teach the words inside the answer.

Phrases

gets a stranger's attention politely; say it before any question

your main question for directions

a little more polite

says what you want to find

asks how far away something is

asks if it's close enough to walk

asks about something close by

asks for a direction, often answered with a point

tells someone you don't know where you are

hands them your phone or paper map

asks them to repeat

checks the directions by repeating them

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Practice · 3 min

Say the line that fits. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.

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Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.