🧭 French phrase guide
How to ask for directions in French
Asking for directions is easy. Understanding the answer is the hard part. These phrases cover both sides, plus the one phrase every learner needs: "Could you say that more slowly?"
Practice this conversation out loud, free →Key French phrases
| French | English | Listen |
|---|---|---|
| Excusez-moi | Excuse me | |
| Où est la gare ? | Where is the train station? | |
| Comment je fais pour aller à… ? | How do I get to…? | |
| C'est loin ? | Is it far? | |
| Allez tout droit. | Go straight ahead. | |
| Tournez à gauche / à droite. | Turn left / right. | |
| Au feu | At the traffic lights | |
| Vous pouvez répéter plus lentement ? | Could you repeat that more slowly? | |
| Vous pouvez me montrer sur la carte ? | Can you show me on the map? | |
| Merci pour votre aide ! | Thanks for your help! |
Example conversation
You
Excusez-moi, où est la gare ?
Excuse me, where is the train station?
Local
Allez tout droit et tournez à gauche au feu.
Go straight ahead and turn left at the traffic lights.
You
C'est loin ?
Is it far?
Local
Non, à cinq minutes à pied environ.
No, about five minutes on foot.
You
Vous pouvez répéter plus lentement ?
Could you repeat that more slowly?
Local
Bien sûr ! Tout droit, puis à gauche au feu.
Of course! Straight, then left at the lights.
Good to know
💡 Opening with "Excusez-moi, bonjour" makes people far more willing to help. "La gare" is the train station; the bus station is "la gare routière".
Reading phrases isn't the same as saying them.
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