Directions in German

Basic Vocabulary for Giving Directions in German

Learning how to give and understand directions in German is essential for navigating any German-speaking area. This guide covers the basic vocabulary needed to describe locations and directions effectively.

• Rechts Right
• Links Left
• rechts right
• links left
• vor in front of
• hinter behind
• auf on
• über above
• unter under
• neben next to
• gegenüber opposite of/from
• zwischen between
• Wo Where (location)
• Wohin Where to (direction)
• Dort There (specific location)
• Dorthin There (heading to a location)
• geradeaus straight ahead
• entlang along
• zurück back
• Norden north
• Süden south
• Osten east
• Westen west
• Ecke corner
• Ampel traffic lights
• Stadtzentrum city center
• Museum museum
• Bank bank
• Krankenhaus hospital
• Rathaus town hall
• Hotel hotel
• Restaurant restaurant
• Geradeaus Straight ahead
• Entlang Along
• Gegenüber von Opposite from
• Die Ecke The corner
• Der Norden North
• Der Süden South
• Der Osten East
• Der Westen West
• Die Stadt City
• Der Plan Map
• Die Straße Street

Understanding Directions in German

Learning to ask for and give directions in German is essential for navigating through a new city. This guide will provide you with the key vocabulary and phrases needed to confidently ask for and give directions in German.

Key Vocabulary for Directions

Here's a list of essential German vocabulary for asking and giving directions:

German	English
Wo	Where (location)
Wohin	Where to (direction)
Dort	There (specific location)
Dorthin	There (heading to a location)
Rechts	Right
Links	Left
Geradeaus	Straight ahead
Entlang	Along
Gegenüber von	Opposite from
Die Ecke	The corner
Der Norden	North
Der Süden	South
Der Osten	East
Der Westen	West
Die Stadt	City
Der Plan	Map
Die Straße	Street

Useful Phrases for Directions

Here are some phrases to help you ask for and understand directions in German:

German	English
Wo ist …?	Where is …?
Wo sind wir?	Where are we?
Wohin gehen wir?	Where are we going?
Können Sie mir sagen, wo ... ist?	Could you tell me where ... is?
Ist es weit?	Is it far?
Wie komme ich zu ...?	How do I get to ...?
Welche Ausfahrt ist für Köln?	Which exit do I take for Cologne?
Wo ist der Bahnhof?	Where is the train station?
Biegen Sie hier ab.	Turn here.
Biegen Sie hier rechts ab.	Turn right here.
Das ist weit weg von hier.	That’s far away from here.
Ich gehe vor die Bibliothek.	I’m going to the library.
Gehen Sie immer geradeaus.	Keep going straight.
Gehen Sie um die Ecke.	Go around the corner.

Tips for Asking Directions

• Be Brief and Clear: Keep your questions short and straightforward to avoid confusion and to respect the time of the person you're asking.
• Understand the Response: Pay attention to key directional words and use hand signals if needed to clarify the directions.
• Practice Pronunciation: Clear pronunciation will help ensure that your questions are understood correctly.

Asking for Directions

If you find yourself lost, don't hesitate to ask for directions. Here are some useful phrases in German:

• Wo bin ich? - Where am I?
• Wo ist [Ort/Sehenswürdigkeit]? - Where is [place/landmark]?
• Wie komme ich zum [Ort/Sehenswürdigkeit]? - How do I get to [place/landmark]?
• Entschuldigung, können Sie mir helfen? - Excuse me, can you help me?

Giving Directions

When giving directions in German, it's helpful to use basic directional vocabulary. Here are some key phrases:

• Geradeaus - Straight ahead
• Links - Left
• Rechts - Right
• Um die Ecke - Around the corner
• An der Ampel - At the traffic light
• Entfernung - Distance
• Hier ist es - Here it is

Getting to Your Destination

Whether you're heading to the city center, the train station, or any other place, these phrases will come in handy:

• Wie komme ich zum Stadtzentrum? - How do I get to the city center?
• Wo ist der Bahnhof? - Where is the train station?
• Können Sie mir den Weg zum Hotel zeigen? - Can you show me the way to the hotel?
• Ich suche [Ort/Sehenswürdigkeit] - I'm looking for [place/landmark].

The Tips You Need to Ask for Directions in German

Navigating through a German-speaking city can be a breeze if you know how to ask for directions effectively. Here are some essential tips to help you master the art of seeking directions in German:

Simplify Your Questions

When asking for directions, try to formulate your questions in a way that elicits simple yes or no answers, or straightforward responses like "left," "straight ahead," or "right." This makes it easier for both you and the person you're asking to communicate effectively. Additionally, don't underestimate the power of hand signals—they can often transcend language barriers.

Know the Difference: "Wo" vs. "Wohin"

In German, there are two question words for asking "where": "wo" and "wohin." Understanding when to use each is crucial for asking about location versus direction.

• "Wo" (Where): Use this when asking about the location of someone or something. For example, "Wo sind die Schlüssel?" (Where are the keys?)
• "Wohin" (Where to): Use this when asking about motion or direction. For example, "Wohin gehen Sie?" (Where are you going?)

It's important to remember that in German, you can't use "wo" to ask about direction, and "wohin" must always be paired with "hin" to indicate motion or direction.

Basic Direction Phrases in German

When navigating through a German-speaking area, knowing how to give and understand directions can be very helpful. Here are some essential phrases and tips to get you started.

Common Directional Phrases

German Phrase	English Translation
Gehen Sie geradeaus.	Go straight ahead.
Biegen Sie links/rechts ab.	Turn left/right.
Nehmen Sie die erste/zweite/dritte Straße links/rechts.	Take the first/second/third street on the left/right.
Es ist auf der linken/rechten Seite.	It’s on the left/right side.
Überqueren Sie die Straße.	Cross the street.
Folgen Sie der Straße für etwa (Entfernung) Meter/Kilometer.	Follow the road for about (distance) meters/kilometers.

Using Landmarks and References

Landmarks can be very useful in making directions easier to follow. Here are some phrases to incorporate landmarks into your directions.

German Phrase	English Translation
Am Kreisverkehr nehmen Sie die (Zahl) Ausfahrt.	At the roundabout, take the (number) exit.
Vorbei an (einem markanten Punkt)…	Pass (a landmark)…
Es liegt neben dem/der (Landmarke).	It’s next to the (landmark).

Asking for Confirmation

To ensure the person you're giving directions to understands, it's helpful to ask for confirmation.

German Phrase	English Translation
Verstehen Sie?	Do you understand?
Brauchen Sie eine Karte?	Do you need a map?

Additional Helpful Phrases

Here are some extra phrases that might come in handy when giving directions.

German Phrase	English Translation
Es ist nicht weit von hier.	It’s not far from here.
Es ist zu Fuß in etwa (Zeitdauer) Minuten erreichbar.	It’s about (duration) minutes away by foot.
Sie können auch den Bus/Zug nehmen.	You can also take the bus/train.