TravelAdvanced
Getting lost and asking for help in English (advanced)
Advanced English for getting lost and asking for help. Key line: “Hi, sorry to bother you—could you point me in the right direction?”
Full script
Lin
Hi, sorry to bother you—could you point me in the right direction?
Them
Sure—where are you trying to get to, exactly?
Lin
I'm headed to the train station, but my map keeps sending me in circles.
Them
Yeah, that app does that here. Go straight, then hang a left at the lights.
Lin
After the lights, do I keep going, or is it right there?
Them
Keep going two blocks; you'll see the station on your right.
Lin
Perfect, thanks—I was starting to think the station was avoiding me.
Them
Honestly, around here, it kind of is—unless you stop following your phone.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
directions
✓ point me in the right directionAsk for directions
more specific and natural
going in circles
✓ send me in circlesMake me go in circles
used to complain about maps
left turn
✓ hang a leftTurn left
casual spoken English
nearby
✓ right thereVery close
shows it is very near
Quick answers
directions: what to say in English
Say “point me in the right direction” — ask for directions. more specific and natural.
going in circles: what to say in English
Say “send me in circles” — make me go in circles. used to complain about maps.
left turn: what to say in English
Say “hang a left” — turn left. casual spoken English.
nearby: what to say in English
Say “right there” — very close. shows it is very near.