A Vocabulary Guide to Giving Directions in Spanish
Mastering direction words in Spanish is key to making your travels go smoothly. Even when you rely on maps or your phone, nothing beats the art of conversation! Being able to ask for and give directions in Spanish saves you the hassle of getting lost or wandering around unknown places.
Read this blog post to know what to do if you get lost and learn essential direction words in Spanish. This insightful lesson also includes audio examples for you to take your new vocabulary for a spin.
Keep reading for a resourceful and complete vocabulary guide to giving directions in Spanish.
3 Reasons To Learn Direction Words in Spanish
If you’re set on taking a Spanish immersion trip, understanding native speakers when you ask for directions in Spanish makes it easier and carefree to explore any country.
Pedir indicaciones o direcciones (asking for directions) is a perfectly normal thing. Even with the best GPS, nothing beats human interaction and expertise. Let’s examine the top 3 reasons in detail.
1. Independence
You feel empowered to move around on your own. This means you have the confidence to venture to discover new places and sites of interest. If you ever get lost, you’ll understand the friendly souls who are willing to give you a hand.
2. Conversation Starter
Using direction words in Spanish can start a conversation, and who knows where that may lead you! Some people even find new friendships when getting directions.
3. Enhance Your Fluency
Getting directions in Spanish from locals supports your listening skills and pronunciation. You become familiarized with the language and begin to use it intuitively as native speakers do.
How To Approach People
People in Spanish-speaking countries tend to have a warm and welcoming nature. Speaking to someone for directions in Spanish requires you to have a friendly and polite approach.
Asking Where Something Is Located
Knowing how to ask where something is located, or in what part of town you may find it; is basic for finding landmarks or even finding your way back to your hotel.
Use this list of phrases and direction words in Spanish to ask where something is.
Example Sentences in Spanish
Estoy buscando un restaurante.
I’m looking for a restaurant.
¿Dónde puedo encontrar una farmacia?
Where can I find a pharmacy?
¿Dónde están las escaleras?
Where are the stairs?
¿Sabe donde hay una parada de bus?
Do you know where there is a bus stop?
¿Dónde queda el museo de historia?
Where is the history museum?
Start planning an unforgettable adventure with this list of 15 Extraordinary Museums to Visit on Your Next Trip to Mexico City.
How To Ask for Directions in Spanish
By combining the two previous vocabulary tables with direction words in Spanish, you’ll be able to ask for specific directions and form sentences.
Example Sentences in Spanish
Disculpe, estoy buscando la parada de metro más cercana.
Excuse me, I’m looking for the nearest metro stop.
Hola, ¿me podría ayudar por favor? ¿Dónde queda la catedral?
Hi, can you help me please? Where is the cathedral?
Buenos días ¿dónde está la taquilla?
Good morning, where is the ticket booth?
¿Cómo puedo llegar al parque?
How can I get to the park?
¿Sabe si está por aquí el mercado?
Do you know if the market is around here?
¿Dónde puedo tomar el bus por aquí?
Where can I take a bus around here?
¿Hay algún hospital acá cerca?
Is there a hospital near here?
¿Cual es la mejor forma de llegar al zoológico?
What’s the best way to get to the zoo?
Getting Directions in Spanish
Now that you’ve covered how to ask the questions, it’s time to learn how to interpret the answers and directions in Spanish you’re given.
When asking for directions in Spanish, some people will respond with specific instructions for you to follow. Let’s examine direction words in Spanish you may hear.
Direction Words in Spanish: Prepositions
| English | Spanish |
| across from, in front of | enfrente de |
| at | en |
| behind | detrás de |
| between the | en medio de |
| far | lejos |
| from | desde |
| inside | adentro, dentro |
| near | cerca |
| next to | junto a, al lado de |
| on the corner of | en la esquina de |
| outside | afuera, fuera |
| straight ahead | derecho, recto |
| to the left of | a la izquierda de |
| to the right of | a la derecha de |
| until | hasta |
Direction Words in Spanish: Locations
| English | Spanish |
| avenue | la avenida |
| block | la cuadra |
| corner | la esquina |
| east | este |
| north | norte |
| roundabout | la glorieta, el redondel |
| sidewalk | la banqueta |
| sign | el rótulo |
| south | north |
| street | la calle |
| traffic light | el semáforo |
| west | oeste |
Example Sentences in Spanish
La tienda de zapatos está en el centro comercial.
The shoe store is in the mall.
El museo de arte está detrás de la iglesia.
The art museum is behind the church.
La lavandería está en medio del supermercado y la farmacia.
The laundry mat is between the supermarket and the pharmacy.
La plaza central queda lejos de aquí.
The central square is far from here.
Desde aquí son dos cuadras caminando.
From here it’s two blocks walking.
El hotel está en la esquina de la quinta avenida.
The hotel is on the corner of fifth avenue.
Puedes encontrar taxis fuera del aeropuerto.
You can find taxis outside the airport.
Debes seguir caminando hasta el semáforo.
You have to keep walking until the traffic light.
Ese vecindario está en el norte de la ciudad.
That neighborhood is north of town.
Direction Words in Spanish: Verbs and Actions
| English | Spanish |
| continue | sigue |
| drive | conduce |
| enter | entra |
| go (formal) | vaya |
| go (informal) | ve |
| go down | baja |
| go out | sal |
| go up | sube |
| keep straight | sigue derecho |
| pass by | pasa por |
| take the | toma el |
| turn right, turn left | gira a la derecha, gira a la izquierda |
| walk | camina |
Example Sentences in Spanish
Conduce dos kilómetros y verás la salida en la glorieta.
Drive two kilometers and you’ll see the exit at the roundabout.
Mejor ve caminando, está cerca.
Better go walking, it’s close.
Sal a la calle y podrás ver el rótulo.
Go out to the street and you’ll see the sign.
Sube al piso cinco en el elevador.
Go up the fifth floor on the elevator.
Sigue derecho en esta cuadra, está aquí nomás.
Keep straight on this block, it’s just there.
Toma el metro y bajate en Sagrera.
Take the subway and get off at Sagrera.
Gira a la izquierda en la próxima calle.
Turn left on the next street.
Camina tres cuadras y vas a encontrar el hotel.
Walk three blocks and you’ll find the hotel.
Make the most of your stay with this amusing Traveler’s Guide to Hotel Vocabulary in Spanish.
Other Useful Phrases
If you can’t understand or are struggling, try to be more specific and ask extra questions. Use these phrases for extra support when asking for directions in Spanish.
Example Sentences in Spanish
Perdone, puede hablar más despacio por favor.
Excuse me, can you speak slower please.
¿Lo puedes repetir por favor?
Can you repeat that please?
¿Me puedes enseñar en el mapa por favor?
Can you show me on the map please?
Disculpe, no entendí bien.
I’m sorry, I can’t understand well.
¿Como?
Come again?
Speaking Spanish Is the Key
You’re headed in the right direction toward becoming a fluent Spanish speaker! Once you master these direction words in Spanish, you’re ready to take on any Latin American travel destination or conquer Spain!
Sign up for a free trial class with our certified teachers from Guatemala and practice conversation with a native speaker. They’ll teach you all sorts of useful vocabulary and Spanish idioms for you to use on your Spanish immersion trip.
Spanish is one of the most spoken languages around the world. According to CNN, there are around 41 million active speakers in the United States alone. By deciding to become bilingual, you expand your communication possibilities to a whole new level.
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