I wish it were as simple as learning the word for 'where' in Italian and a few Italian road signs, but there’s a little more to it than that!
As you may have already guessed, understanding the directions you are given can be more challenging than asking the questions. But have no fear – just listen to the Italian pronunciation in the audio and practice saying the Italian words and phrases aloud, as you imagine yourself strolling around Florence or driving through Tuscany!
Resources for further reading:
Asking for directions in Italian
Dove posso trovare la stazione dei treni, per cortesia?
Where can I find the train station, please?
Come posso arrivare alla stazione dei treni?
How do I get to the train station?
Sa (Lei) dove si trova la stazione dei treni?
Do you know where the train station is? (formal)
Sai (tu) dove si trova la stazione dei treni?
Do you know where the train station is? (casual)
Another more complete way of asking for directions is by saying…
Mi scusi, potrebbe dirmi dove si trova la stazione dei treni, per favore?
Excuse me, could you please tell me where the train station is? (formal)
Scusa, potresti dirmi dove si trova la stazione dei treni, per favore?
Excuse me, could you please tell me where the train station is? (casual)
Here's a list of some places you might like to go to and places you may pass on the way to getting there.
I bagni pubblici / le toilette pubbliche
Here are some words and phrases you might get to hear when asking for directions in Italian…
When someone gives you directions in Italian, they'll tell you that you need to take such-and-such street, turn left, and then follow another street…
Take… (formal / informal)
Attraversa… / Attraversi…
Cross (formal / informal)
Follow (formal / informal)
La prossima strada a sinistra
The next street to the left.
La prossima strada a destra
The next street to the right.
The street after the next.
Now, you might want to know whether it is far or not…
For more lessons on Italian vocabulary I recommend these!
A presto!
Maria DiLorenzi and the Rocket Italian Team