How to ask for directions when you’re lost
Imagine yourself walking in Piazza Navona in the cobbled streets of Rome. You’re searching for the Pantheon where you have to meet a friend. It is a very cold day and unfortunately, your phone has conked off and you cannot look at the online map. So you need to ask for directions to the Pantheon.
- Scusi, mi può dire come arrivare al Pantheon? – Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the Pantheon?
Some of the replies you might hear:
- Gira a destra– Turn right
- Gira a sinistra– Turn left
- È qua vicino– It’s close by
- È laggiù-It’s over there
- È davanti alla scuola-It’s opposite the school
- È dietro la stazione-It’s behind the station
- È sotto il ponte-It’s under the bridge
- È a fianco alla chiesa– It’s next to the church
- È prima della stazione di servizio-It’s before the gas station
- È dopo la gelateria-It’s past the ice-cream parlor
- Se arrivi al ristorante “Trattoria Tribunale” sei andato troppo lontano– If you arrive at the restaurant “Trattoria Tribunale”, you’ve gone too far!
Note: These are not actual directions to The Pantheon!
Where is the bathroom?
One of the most commonly used phrases for all travelers is where is the toilet/bathroom?
Dov’è il bagno?