The point of this lesson
Directions become easier when you listen for the landmarks and movement words. You do not need to understand every word to reach the next corner.
A useful rhythm
Read it. Notice it. Use it.
A direction exchange has two jobs: ask a clear question and catch the few words that tell you what to do next. Listen for tournez, continuez, à gauche, à droite, and landmarks such as la banque or la station.
Open the question
| French | Meaning | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Excusez-moi, où est la station ? | Excuse me, where is the station? | A specific place. |
| Pour aller au centre-ville ? | To get to downtown? | A destination. |
| C’est loin d’ici ? | Is it far from here? | Checking distance. |
| Je cherche la rue Saint-Denis. | I’m looking for Saint-Denis Street. | Showing what you need. |
The movement words to listen for
Movement
- continuez
- tournez
- traversez la rue
- prenez la deuxième rue
Landmarks
- la station
- la banque
- le feu
- le coin de la rue
When someone answers quickly, do not chase every word. Catch the verb and the landmark. If you hear tournez à droite après la banque, you already have the next action and the place to watch for.
Check that you understood
| French | Meaning | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Donc, je tourne à gauche ? | So, I turn left? | Repeats the key action. |
| C’est après le feu ? | Is it after the light? | Checks the landmark. |
| Vous pouvez montrer sur la carte ? | Can you show me on the map? | Adds a visual backup. |
| Merci beaucoup, bonne journée ! | Thank you very much, have a good day! | Closes the exchange warmly. |
Map practice · 2 minutes
Imagine you are at a métro station and need a bakery.
- Ask where the bakery is.
- Give yourself a three-step answer: straight, right, after the bank.
- Repeat the route using French movement words.
- Ask one checking question before you finish.
Open a model answer
Excusez-moi, où est la boulangerie ? Continuez tout droit, tournez à droite après la banque. Donc, je tourne à droite après la banque ?
Before your next walk, choose one destination and say the question out loud. A phrase practised before you need it is much easier to find when you are standing on a real street.
Keep the thread going
One lesson becomes useful when it connects to another small action.