Asking for and understanding directions in German can be a helpful skill to have when traveling or navigating a new city. In this article, we will cover the basics of asking for directions and understanding directions in German, with helpful examples and translations in English.
Asking for Directions:
To ask for directions in German, the phrase “Entschuldigung, können Sie mir bitte den Weg nach/zu … zeigen?” (Excuse me, can you please show me the way to …?) is a good starting point. You can also use the phrase “Entschuldigung, können Sie mir bitte sagen, wie man nach/zu … kommt?” (Excuse me, can you please tell me how to get to …?) to ask for directions more specifically.
(Notice: nach is mostly used for countries and cities, whereas zu is mostly used for places in a city like the post office (zur Post), the parc (zum Park))
Understanding Directions:
When receiving directions in German, it is important to understand common phrases and terms. Here are some key terms to keep in mind:
“links” (left)
“rechts” (right)
“geradeaus” (straight ahead)
“bei der Ampel” (at the traffic light)
“gegenüber” (opposite)
“neben” (next to)
“um die Ecke” (around the corner)
Here is an example of a simple direction:
“Gehen Sie links bei der Ampel und dann geradeaus, bis Sie das Café sehen. Es ist gegenüber.” (Go left at the traffic light and then straight ahead until you see the café. It’s opposite.)
Keywords:
der Weg (way)
zeigen (to show)
sagen (to tell)
kommen (to come)
links (left)
rechts (right)
geradeaus (straight ahead)
die Ampel (traffic light)
gegenüber (opposite)
die Ecke (corner)
In conclusion, asking for and understanding directions in German can greatly improve your experience when navigating a new place. By keeping the key phrases and terms in mind, you will be able to ask for directions and follow directions with confidence.