Vocabulary · Travel
Directions in English
A2
Directions in English: left, right and straight ahead, landmarks like the corner or the roundabout, polite questions to ask the way, and useful verbs like turn and cross. With British pronunciation (IPA) and examples.
Quick answer
Basic directions
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| left(adj.)“Turn left at the corner.” | the opposite of right | /left/ |
| right(adj.) | the opposite of left | /raɪt/ |
| straight ahead(phrase) | forward, without turning | /streɪt əˈhed/ |
| back(adv.) | in the direction you came from | /bæk/ |
| forward(adv.) | towards the front | /ˈfɔːwəd/ |
Landmarks
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| corner(n.) | where two streets meet | /ˈkɔːnə/ |
| crossroads / intersection(n.) | a place where two roads cross | /ˈkrɒsrəʊdz/ |
| roundabout(n.) | a circle where several roads meet | /ˈraʊndəbaʊt/ |
| traffic light(n.) | red, amber and green lights for cars | /ˈtræfɪk laɪt/ |
| street(n.) | a road in a town | /striːt/ |
| block(n.) | a group of buildings between streets | /blɒk/ |
| map(n.) | a drawing that shows roads and places | /mæp/ |
Asking the way
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Excuse me(phrase) | a polite way to start a question | /ɪkˈskjuːz miː/ |
| Where is...?(phrase) | a question to find a place | /weə ɪz/ |
| How do I get to...?(phrase) | a question to ask the way | /haʊ duː aɪ ɡet tuː/ |
| Is it far?(phrase) | a question about the distance | /ɪz ɪt fɑː/ |
| I'm lost(phrase) | not knowing where you are | /aɪm lɒst/ |
Useful verbs
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| to turn(v.) | to change direction | /tɜːn/ |
| to go(v.) | to move to a place | /ɡəʊ/ |
| to cross(v.) | to go from one side to the other | /krɒs/ |
| to walk(v.) | to move on foot | /wɔːk/ |
| to follow(v.) | to go along or after something | /ˈfɒləʊ/ |
A common mistake
Left: a direction or the past of leave?
Left can be a direction (the opposite of right) or the past of leave (to go away from a place). The context tells you which one. Turn left is a direction. I left at 8 means that I went away at 8.
Practice quiz
Related pages: Directions
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Going further
The “Directions” topic is part of the contest vocabulary
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Frequently asked questions
How do you ask for directions politely?+
Start with Excuse me. Then ask Where is the museum? or How do I get to the station? For a very polite question, say Could you tell me the way to the station, please? These questions are very useful when you travel.
How do you give directions in English?+
Use short phrases: Turn left at the corner. Turn right at the traffic lights. Go straight ahead. Cross the street. It's on your left. They use the imperative: the base form of the verb, without you.
What do you say when you are lost?+
Say I'm lost. Could you help me, please? or Where am I? You can ask a passer-by (a person walking in the street), or look at a map or a GPS.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/vocabulary/directions
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.