Key Facts
- Asking for directions: Use "Scusi, mi può dire come arrivare al Pantheon?" to politely ask for directions in Italian.
- Common directional phrases: Learn key phrases like "Gira a destra" (Turn right) and "Gira a sinistra" (Turn left) for effective navigation.
- Proximity indicators: Understand terms like "È qua vicino" (It's close by) and "È laggiù" (It's over there) to gauge distance.
- Essential travel phrase: Remember to ask "Dov'è il bagno?" for locating the bathroom, a crucial phrase for travelers.
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?