Asking for directions in German is relatively easy, but as you’ve probably guessed, understanding the directions you are given may be a little more challenging. But let’s give it a try. Remember, if it gets too complicated, there’s always paper and a pencil - ask them to draw a map!
Resources for further reading:
How to ask for directions in German
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Wie komme ich zum Bahnhof?
How do I get to the train station?
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Wissen Sie wo der Bahnhof ist?
Do you know where the train station is? (formal)
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Weißt du wo der Bahnhof ist?
Do you know where the train station is? (casual)
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Wo bitte finde ich den Bahnhof?
Where can I find the train station?
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Another more complete way of asking for directions is by saying…
Entschuldigen Sie bitte! Können Sie mir bitte sagen wo der Bahnhof ist?
Excuse me, please! Could you please tell me where the train station is? (formal)
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Entschuldige bitte! Kannst du mir bitte sagen wo der Bahnhof ist?
Excuse me, please! Could you please tell me where the train station is? (casual)
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Here’s a list of some places you might like to go to and places you may pass on the way to getting there.
Der Park
The park
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Das Reisebüro
The travel agency
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Die Straße
The street
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Das Einkaufszentrum
The shopping center
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Die Altstadt
The historic center
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Die Polizeiwache
The police station
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Das Krankenhaus
The hospital
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Das Rathaus
The town hall
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Die öffentlichen Toiletten
The public restrooms
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Das Stadtzentrum
The town center
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Der Vorort
The suburb
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Der Biergarten
The beer garden
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Das Denkmal
The monument
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Die Kneipe
The bar
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Here are some words and phrases you might get to hear when asking for directions…
Vor
In front of
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Am Ende von
At the end of
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Am Anfang von
At the beginning of
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Nach Westen
To the west
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Nach Norden
To the north
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Nach Süden
To the south
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Nach Osten
To the east
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Um die Ecke
Around the corner
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Die nächste Straße nach links.
The next street to the left.
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Die nächste Straße nach rechts.
The next street to the right.
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Die übernächste Straße
The street after next.
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Die Ecke
The corner
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Die Brücke
The bridge
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Geradeaus
Straight
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Neben
Next to
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Links
Left
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Rechts
Right
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Nach links
To the left
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Nach rechts
To the right
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When someone gives you directions, they’ll tell you that you need to take such-and-such street; turn left, and then follow another street…
Nehmen Sie…
Take...
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Überqueren Sie…
Cross...
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Folgen Sie…
Follow...
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Gehen Sie...
Go...
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Now, you might want to know whether it is far or not…
Ist es sehr weit?
Is it very far?
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Es ist weit.
It's far.
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Es ist nicht weit.
It's not far.
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Ist es in der Nähe?
Is it close by?
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Es ist in der Nähe.
It's close by.
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Es ist nicht in der Nähe.
It's not close by.
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I hope you enjoyed this lesson.
For more lessons on German vocabulary I recommend these!
- Want to organise a meeting in German?
- At a German restaurant? Try ordering in German!
- Taking public transport in German.
Bis bald!
Paul Weber: Rocket German
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