TravelAdvanced

Asking for directions in English (advanced)

Advanced English for asking for directions. Key line: “*Excuse* *me*, could you *point* me toward the city museum?”

Full script

LinExcuse me, could you point me toward the city museum?
ThemSure—go straight two blocks, then hang a left at the traffic light.
LinGot it—two blocks, left light. I always manage to get turned around.
ThemHonestly, same. After that, you'll see the museum right across from the park.
LinPerfect, thanks. And it shouldn't take more than ten minutes on foot, right?
ThemYep, unless you get distracted by the bakery—its smell ruins everyone's sense of direction.
LinThen I'd better focus—if I end up by the river again, I've failed.
ThemFair warning: if you see ducks, you've definitely gone too far.

Key phrases

The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.

Directions

✓ Could you point me toward...?

Polite way to ask directions

More polite and natural than Where is...

Left turn

✓ hang a left

Informal way to say turn left

Very spoken; learn it as a phrase

Confused

✓ get turned around

Lose your sense of direction

Used when your sense of direction gets mixed up

On foot

✓ on foot

On foot

Often used to ask time on foot

Quick answers

Directions: what to say in English

Say “Could you point me toward...?” — polite way to ask directions. More polite and natural than Where is...

Left turn: what to say in English

Say “hang a left” — informal way to say turn left. Very spoken; learn it as a phrase.

Confused: what to say in English

Say “get turned around” — lose your sense of direction. Used when your sense of direction gets mixed up.

On foot: what to say in English

Say “on foot” — on foot. Often used to ask time on foot.

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