So, you have already easily checked into a hotel using our phrasebook “English in a Hotel”, you have rested after the trip and are ready to show yourself, watch people - go on an excursion to the city. Of course, having a Russian-speaking guide makes life easier for our tourists abroad, but traveling as a “savage” is much more interesting and cheaper. And if you also learn the phrases we suggested for orientation in the city, then your trip will be easy and pleasant. In addition, thanks to your knowledge of English, you will be able to make new friends from another country.

We have written a simple phrasebook for travelers, in which you will find dialogues, phrases and vocabulary on 25 essential topics. Go on a journey with the main character and improve your English. You can download the book for free at.

Names of main institutions in English

To begin with, we will give you the names of various places in the city on English. We recommend learning them first, you don't want to end up in a cave instead of a toilet.

Word/Phrase	Translation
Transport
an airport	airport
a bus stop	bus stop
a bus/coach	bus
a bus station/terminal	bus station, bus station
a gas/petrol station	gas station
parking	parking
rent-a-car / car hire	car rental
a subway/underground	metro
a subway station	metro station
a railway/train station	railway station
a train	train
a taxi	Taxi
Parts of the city
a bridge	bridge
a corner	corner
a crossroads	crossroads
a pedestrian crossing	pedestrian crossing
a pedestrian area	pedestrian zone
a street	street
a square	square
Institutions
a B&B (bed and breakfast)	mini-hotel providing bed and breakfast only
a motel	motel
a hotel	hotel
an inn	small hotel
a bank	bank
a fire department	fire department
a hospital	hospital
a library	library
a lost property office / lost and found	lost and found
a post office	mail
a police station	police department
a school	school
a shop	shop
a tourist information office	institution that provides background information tourists
a WC (water closet) / restroom / bathroom / toilet / lavatory / loo	toilet
Entertainment facilities
an art gallery	art gallery
a ballet	ballet
a bar	bar
a bowling alley	bowling
a café	cafe
a cinema/movie theater	cinema
a circus	circus
an exhibition	exhibition
a nightclub/disco	nightclub
an opera	opera
a pub	pub
a restaurant	restaurant
a stadium	stadium
a swimming pool	pool
a theater	theater
a zoo	zoo
Attractions
a canyon	canyon
a castle	lock
a cathedral	cathedral
a cave	cave
a church	church
a fountain	fountain
a monument/memorial	monument/monument
a mosque	mosque
a museum	museum
a palace	castle
a park	park
a sculpture	sculpture
sights/places of interest	attractions
a statue	statue
a temple	temple

As you noticed, there are several words for the name of the toilet. Typically, WC is used in almost every country, and in the UK the words toilet and lavatory are often used. The word loo is also used there; it has an informal connotation. In the US, the most popular words are restroom and bathroom, although the latter also refers to a bathroom with a toilet in someone's home. In Canada, the word bathroom is widely used. However, even in different regions same country can be used different words, so don’t be afraid to use any of them: you will be understood anyway.

How to ask for directions in English

So, let's imagine that you decide to take a walk around the city, sightseeing and enjoy beautiful views. If you decide to do without a tour guide, then to navigate the city you will need a map and a guide book, as well as knowledge of some phrases in English that will help you reach your destination, because it is not always easy to find your way around map, and some attractions or institutions may not be marked on it at all.

Where can I get a card? Firstly, almost every hotel will offer you a map of the city. Secondly, you can buy it at a newsagent's. Choose the most detailed one, with a large scale and a guide for tourists: on good maps all institutions, monuments, museums, etc. will be indicated. To purchase a map, ask the following question: Do you have a map of the city? (Do you have a map of the city?).

By the way, at the hotel you can ask the staff what places are worth visiting in the city. Ask a simple question: Could you tell me, please, what is worth visiting? (Can you tell me what is worth visiting?). This way you will get first-hand information about the most interesting attractions.

Let's imagine a very real situation: you are confused in the streets of an unfamiliar city and cannot find the attraction you are looking for. In this case, contact a passerby: apologize and ask for help. If you see a policeman next to you, ask him for help, it’s safer: in this case, you definitely won’t run into scammers.

You chose a “victim” for questioning, stopped him and attracted his attention. Now you should find out from a passer-by how you can get to the desired institution or chosen attraction. This is where you will need knowledge of the words from our first tablet. The following phrases are synonymous, that is, interchangeable. Choose those that are easier for you to remember, and simply substitute the name of the establishment you need in them.

Phrase	Translation
What is the name of this street?	What's the name of this street?
Is there a pub near here?	Is there a pub somewhere nearby?
Where is the theater located?	Where is the theater?
Where is the restroom?	I am looking for the restroom.
Excuse me, do you know where the museum is?	Sorry, do you know where the museum is?
Excuse me, can you give me quick directions to the library?	Excuse me, could you tell me where the library is?
Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the train station?	Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the station?
Excuse me, how can I get to the nearest bank?	Excuse me, how can I get to the nearest bank?
Excuse me, do you know how to get to the theater from here?	Sorry, do you know how to get to the theater from here?
Excuse me, what is the best way to get to the post office?	Excuse me, what's the best way to get to the post office?
Excuse me, can you show me the way to the nearest cinema?	Excuse me, could you show me the way to the nearest cinema?
Could you tell me the way to the nearest hospital?	Could you tell me how to get to the nearest hospital?
Is this the way to the train station?	Is this the way to the train station?
Which is the shortest way to the cinema?	What's the shortest route to the cinema?
Excuse me, I am looking for the temple. Do you know where it is?	Sorry, I'm looking for a temple. Do you know where it is?
Excuse me, I am looking for a restaurant. Do you know how to get there?	Sorry, I'm looking for a restaurant. Do you know how to get there?
Could you show me on the map?	Could you show me on the map?

It would also be a good idea to check with a passerby whether the attraction you need is far away: this way you can decide whether to use public transport or walk.

In this article we presented phrases for local orientation, and in the article “” we talked in detail about how to rent a car and communicate in public transport in English.

How to give directions in English

So, you overcame the language barrier in one fell swoop and easily asked where you should go. Now you need to understand what your interlocutor is answering. To do this, study the following phrases in English. In addition, you can use these same suggestions when meeting a foreigner in own city: Now you can easily explain to a person how to find the nearest bank or metro station - +10 to communication skills in English.

First, learn basic phrases that will help you indicate the direction of movement.

Phrase	Translation
go along (the beach)	walk along (the beach)
go past (the school)	go past (the school)
turn right/left = go right/left = take a right/left	turn right/left
turn right/left at (the cinema)	turn right/left at (cinema)
turn right/left into (the main road)	turn right/left onto (main road)
go ahead = go straight ahead = go straight on	go straight
across	on the other side of the street, across the street from
opposite	against
on your right/left	to your right/left
first/second turning on the left/right	first/second turn left/right
in front of	in front of (opposite something)

Here are simple answers that you can get in response to a question about the direction of movement:

Phrase	Translation
It is not far from here.	It's not far from here.
It is over there.	It's over there.
It is on Johnson Street.	It's on Johnson Street.
It is in front of the theater.	This is in front of the theater.
It is across the street.	It's across the street.
Keep going.	Continue walking straight (in the same direction).
Cross the street.	Go to the other side of the street.
The museum is opposite to the church.	The museum is opposite the church.
The post office is on your right/left.	Mail is to your right/left.
Take the second turning on the left.	Take the second left.
Go along Johnson street until the restaurant.	Walk along Johnson Street to the restaurant.
It is 20 minutes by car / on foot.	It's a 20 minute drive/walk.
Take the bus number six.	Take bus number six.

And now a small life hack for those who are afraid of getting confused in the long explanations of a passerby: show your interlocutor a map and ask the question: Could you show me on the map? (Could you show me on the map?). Then they will simply show you where to go. This way you definitely won’t get confused or get lost.

Read the following dialogues to help you understand how to give directions in English:

Dialogue #1

- Excuse me, where is the theater located?
- Go left here and the n take the second right. The theater will be around the corner.

Excuse me, where is the theater?
- Go left and then turn right at the second corner. The theater will be right around the corner.

Dialogue #2

- Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the nearest bank?
- Go straight on for about 2 miles. You will see the bank directly opposite to the post office.

Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the nearest bank?
- Go straight along this street for about 2 miles. You will see a bank directly opposite the post office.

Dialogue #3

- Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the museum?
- It's pretty far from here. Turn left and then right, go along for a mile or so and the museum is on your left.

Excuse me, can you tell me the way to the museum?
- It's quite far from here. Turn left and then right, go straight for about a mile and the museum will be on your left.

Dialogue #4

- Excuse me, I am looking for a cafe. Do you know how to get there?
- Go left here and turn right after you go past the bank. The cafe is in front of the market.

Excuse me, I'm looking for a cafe. Do you know how to get there?
- Go left and turn right after you pass the bank. The cafe will be right in front of the market.

We also recommend listening to an audio recording of a lesson for English learners from the BBC, where they talk about how to give directions. The text of the recording can be downloaded on the website, so you can easily understand this lesson.

In the institution

You have safely reached your chosen attraction or entertainment venue. Now you will need a few more phrases so that you can find out the price of the ticket, as well as some rules for visiting this place.

Phrase	Translation
I need a guide who speaks Russian.	I need a guide who speaks Russian.
How much does a ticket cost?	How much does a ticket cost?
How much is the entrance fee?	What's the cover charge?
Is the art gallery open on Sundays?	Is the art gallery open on Sundays?
What time does the museum open?	What time is the museum open?
Is this way to the exit?	Is this the way out?
Am I allowed to take photos?	Can I take photos?
Can you take a photo of us, please?	Please take a photo of us.
May I use the toilet?	Can I use the toilet?
Is this seat free?	Is this place free?

Inscriptions and signs in English

Phrase	Translation
Warning and prohibition signs
danger	dangerous
caution	carefully
attention	attention
wet paint	painted
no swimming	swimming is prohibited
beware of the dog	be aware of dogs
keep off grass	don't walk on the lawns
sitting on grass permitted	allowed to sit on the grass
private property	private property
stop / don’t cross / don’t walk	stop / stop
Inscriptions in institutions
open	open
closed	closed
closed on Sundays	closed on Sundays
pull	to yourself (inscription on the door)
push	from myself (inscription on the door)
entrance/way in	entrance
admission by ticket only	entrance by ticket only
no entrance / no entry	no entry
employees only / staff only	staff only
authorized personnel only / no admittance	no entrance for unauthorized people
exit to street	going outside
exit/way out	exit
no exit	no way out
emergency exit	emergency exit
entrance fee	entrance fee
keep the door closed	close the door behind you
smoking section	section for smokers (for example, in a cafe)
no smoking section	non-smoking section
reserved	booked
occupied	busy
no vacancies	no vacancies
elevator/Lift	elevator
out of order	doesn't work/broken

Useful sites to learn how to navigate the city in English

• Travel English Lessons- educational 2-3 minute videos in English for travelers. Native speakers speak clearly and use simple phrases, so watch, listen, get used to the sound English speech and repeat the sentences after the announcers - at the same time learn everything you need.
• LearnEnglishFeelGood.com - site with exercises. Pay attention to the Sightseeing section, where you will find useful tasks for practicing the vocabulary you have learned. Practical exercises will help you consolidate all the phrases in your memory.

In addition, do not forget about our school: it will allow as soon as possible improve your knowledge and you will feel confident abroad.

Complete list of words and phrases for download

Don't forget to download the list useful vocabulary. If he is with you on a trip, then you can always find the place you want to visit.

(*.pdf, 282 Kb)

Ready to test your knowledge? Then try to score the maximum number of points in our test.

Vocabulary test on the topic “How to navigate the city in English: a simple phrasebook”

We think that now you definitely won’t get lost in the city, and if this happens, you can easily cope with this trouble with the help of local residents and phrases from our phrasebook. We wish you not to get lost in any situation, have a pleasant journey!

P Let's talk about the road. Knowing how to show the way is equally important. Whether you are driving a car or walking, flying on an airplane or finding your way around the city, you need to know how to ask for directions, how to help, if possible, a person get somewhere.

One time in school years, a foreigner approached me on Red Square, opened a huge map and with a meaningful look asked how to get to some metro station (I don’t remember exactly). I was confused, opened my eyes and behaved much like the people from the famous Lingualeo video.

In general, the topic of movements, spaces and routes has always been unfavorite for me, probably because of my zealous desire not to perceive maps in general and all sorts of routes. Spatial idiocy, that's what it's called. I perceive the path purely intuitively. All sorts of maps and diagrams drive me into unconscious anxiety and quiet horror.

Well, okay about me. So, expressions and words for orientation in space.

Turn left/right. - Turn right/left, or Turn to the left/right

Go straight/straight on. - Go straight.

Traffic lights. - Traffic light. No, no, these are not traffic lights.

Crossroads - crossroads.

Take the first turning / road / on your left / right. -Take the first turn / left. right.

You`ll see .- You will see

You`ll come .- You will come.

Go on for about 2 km .- Continue walking 2 kilometers.

Go on for 5 minutes. - Continue walking for five minutes

Landmarks. - Landmarks.

Often we need to talk about landmarks in space, the road. But we don’t know how the “transition” will happen. It's a shame, isn't it?

Taxi Rank. - Taxi rank.

Level crossing - Where the crossing paths of a train and an ordinary road meet. Something like this.

Underpass. Underground passage.

Flyover/Overpass. Overpass

Zebra crossing. Where a pedestrian needs to go.

Tunnel. Tunnel

Crossroads. And again a crossroads.

Junction. Such as forks, road intersections, nodes.

Fork of the road. Fork. If you go to the left, you will become a little goat.

Roundabout. Roundabout Circulation!

Main road. Main road.

Lane. Alley.

Use prepositions of direction! A lot can be said about prepositions. I already said. But there is more!

Gopast= Pass by and leave behind.

Go across= Cross something

Go along= Walk along

Go straight on= Walk straight ahead

Go up= go / go up

Go down= Go down

Gothrough= Drive through a city or a tunnel. Through

Gooutof= Go out, leave.

It's in front of you = It's in front of you

It's opposite the bank = This is opposite the bank.

It's on the corner= It's on the corner.

A typical “Where to go” conversation.

Excuse me, I`m looking for a bank. Sorry, I'm looking for a bank

Go straight on. Take the second street on the right. You will see a shop at the corner. Pass the shop. Bank will be just opposite you. It`s a 5-minute walk.

Go ahead. Turn right on the second street. You will see a store on the corner. Go through the store. The bank will be right in front of you. Walk for about 5 minutes.

Idioms with directions and road.

Put the carriage before the horse. Drive the horses forward. Rushing, doing things in the wrong order.

You always put the carriage before the horse! You're always in a hurry!

At the crossroads. At crossroads. For example, at the crossroads of fate. At a crossroads. When there is an important decision in life and you have to choose

Asking for directions

Excuse me. Sorry to bother you but I’m afraid I got lost. I'm looking for the Opera House. How do I get there?

I know this area quite well. So you have to go down the road that way and when you see the Napoleon monument you should turn left and follow the stone path.

Right. Is there a sign near the Theatre?

No, sorry. But I am sure you won’t miss it. It’s a beautiful marble building with columns. It’s next to the Art gallery, just opposite the fountains. If you need a box-office there you should take a lift to the basement level, then pass the cloakroom and walk straight down the aisle until you see the notice.

That seems quite far. Ok then. Thanks a lot. You've been really helpful. By the way is there a beach close to the Theatre? Could you tell me the way, please?

Actually it’s about 2 miles from the Opera House. You could catch a bus and the third stop will be yours.

I would rather go on foot. I enjoy walking and admiring the city architecture.

I see. Then you should go around the corner on your left, walk along King’s Road, cross the bridge and then take the second right at the traffic lights. You’ll see the exit to the beach in about half a mile.

OK. Thanks again. Hopefully I won't get lost again.

Have fun at the beach!

Sorry. I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm afraid I'm lost. I'm looking for the Opera House. How do I get there?

I know this area quite well. You need to follow the road over there, and when you see the Napoleon monument, you should turn left and follow the stone path.

Fine. Is there a sign near the theater?

No. Sorry. But I'm sure you won't miss it. This is a beautiful marble building with columns. It is located next to the Art Gallery, directly opposite the fountains. If you need the ticket office, you should take the elevator down to the ground floor, then pass the cloakroom and go straight down the hallway until you see the sign.

It seems quite far away. Fine. Thank you very much. You helped me a lot. By the way, is there a beach near the theater? Could you tell me the way?

Actually, it's about 2 miles from the Opera House. You could take the bus and the third stop would be yours.

I'd rather walk. I like to walk and enjoy city architecture.

It's clear. Then you need to turn the corner on the left, walk along King's Road, cross the bridge and then take the second right at the traffic lights. You'll see the beach access after about a half mile.

OK. Thanks again. I hope I don't get lost again.

I hope you have fun on the beach!

Dialogue "How to get to the theater?" (Asking for Directions) - 4.7 out of 5 based on 15 votes

Hello, dear listeners and readers! We continue slowly. But it’s true to master the series of audio lessons “That’s what they say in America,” and along with the course, the spoken English of ordinary Americans. During today's lesson, you will learn ask directions and also explain directions, how to get or get to the place you or someone else needs in American English. Ask for directions and give directions in English

In a foreign city, it is sometimes very difficult to find a certain street or building, but, as they say, language will take you to Kyiv, and in our case, to Washington. Do not hesitate to ask passers-by how to get to or get to the place you need, and do not refuse to help other foreigners if they ask you for directions. And in order to be able to ask or explain correctly, today you will learn a lot of new and useful vocabulary in English.

As always, we start with Martin Lerner talking to other characters. This time our good friend, Voice of America reporter Martin, walks the American streets and, asking questions, tries to figure out how to get to the Museum fine arts, asking directions from several passers-by. Let's find out what the strangers answer him, and whether he managed to find out how to get to the museum:

Martin: Excuse me, where is Art Museum? - I'm sorry, where is it?
Male 1: Sorry. I don't know. - Sorry. I don't know.
Martin: Where is the Museum? — Could you tell me where the Museum of Fine Arts is?
Female 1: Go straight ahead. - Go straight ahead.
Martin: Excuse me, where is the Art Museum? — Excuse me, can you tell me where the Museum of Fine Arts is?
Female 2: It's on the river. It's on the Jefferson Street. — It is located on the river bank. It is located on Jefferson Street.

As you can see, it is easier for women to make contact, unlike men. And with the help of two strangers, Martin managed to find out where the place he needed was located.

Remember also online lesson Finding out who is doing what

Use the audio recording of the lesson to hear how ordinary Americans pronounce the dialogue and hear other words and phrases in English. Pay attention to the intonation with which Lerner asks passers-by for directions: /wp-content/uploads/2014/09/russian_english_006.mp3

When listening to how Americans pronounce words, repeat all the expressions after them to practice your own pronunciation. Follow A. Fillipova's instructions to master the lesson step by step.

Asking for directions in English

With the help of a convenient table with phrases in English and translation into Russian, today you will learn new expressions, question words, as well as some grammatical categories words: verbs, nouns, pronouns, adverbs, prepositions.

Ask and explain
Phrases
I'm sorry	Sorry. I'm sorry
Sorry. Sorry	Excuse me
Verbs
ask	ask
go	go
come	come
turn	turn
Verb + negative particle + know
written form - in written speech	I don't know
spoken - in oral speech	I don't know
Nouns
building	building
museum	museum
director	director
river	river
Adverbs
left	left
right	right
down	downstairs
up	upstairs
directly	straight ahead
there	there
Prepositions
right there	over there
on: on the river bank	on: on the river
Pronouns
It: It’s on the river	he, it, this: He is on the river
Question words
Where	where

You may have noticed that some words and even entire expressions can be translated differently, but in context these lexemes are very similar and can be interpreted as indicated in the table. Be sure to save and memorize this table!

See also interesting article