Directions

1. Wie komme ich zum Bahnhof?

   How do I get to the train station?

   Usage

   Used to ask for directions to the train station; replace the destination as needed

   Grammar Note

   "Zum" is a contraction of "zu dem" (for masculine/neuter nouns in dative). "Zur" = zu + der (feminine dative)

2. Biegen Sie links ab

   Turn left

   Usage

   Used when giving or following directions to turn left

   Grammar Note

   "Abbiegen" is a separable verb; in imperatives "ab" moves to the end. "Rechts abbiegen" means turn right

3. Gehen Sie geradeaus

   Go straight ahead

   Usage

   Used when directing someone to continue straight ahead

   Grammar Note

   "Geradeaus" is an adverb meaning straight ahead, composed of "gerade" (straight) + "aus" (out/forth)

4. Wie weit ist es bis zur Stadtmitte?

   How far is it to the city center?

   Usage

   Used to ask how far away the city center or another destination is

   Grammar Note

   "Zur" is a contraction of "zu + der" (feminine dative). "Stadtmitte" is a feminine noun

5. Ist das weit zu Fuß?

   Is it far to walk?

   Usage

   Used to assess whether a destination is walkable

   Grammar Note

   "Zu Fuß" is an idiom meaning "on foot." Compare: "mit dem Auto" (by car), "mit dem Fahrrad" (by bike)

6. Wo ist die nächste U-Bahn-Station?

   Where is the nearest subway station?

   Usage

   Used to find the nearest subway station, especially useful in Berlin, Munich, or Vienna

   Grammar Note

   "U-Bahn" is short for Untergrund-Bahn (underground). "S-Bahn" is the suburban rail. Both are common in German cities

7. Können Sie mir das auf der Karte zeigen?

   Could you show me that on the map?

   Usage

   Used when verbal directions are unclear, asking someone to point on a map

   Grammar Note

   "Auf + dative" indicates location. "Auf der Karte" means "on the map"

8. Ich habe mich verlaufen

   I got lost

   Usage

   Used to tell someone you are lost, as a starting phrase when asking for help

   Grammar Note

   "Verlaufen" is reflexive: "sich verlaufen" means to lose one's way. The perfect tense uses "haben + past participle"

9. Gibt es einen Bus zum Flughafen?

   Is there a bus to the airport?

   Usage

   Used to ask if public transport (bus) is available to the airport or other destination

   Grammar Note

   "Gibt es" asks about existence. "Einen Bus" uses the masculine accusative article

10. An der nächsten Ampel rechts abbiegen

    Turn right at the next traffic light

    Usage

    A common direction instruction using a landmark (traffic light)

    Grammar Note

    "An + dative" expresses location "at." "Ampel" is feminine, so "der nächsten Ampel" is the dative form

11. rechts

    Right

    Usage

    Point to this to indicate right in a taxi or when asking directions; "turn right" is "rechts abbiegen"

12. links

    Left

    Usage

    Point to this to indicate left; "turn left" is "links abbiegen"

13. geradeaus

    Straight ahead

    Usage

    Show this to say "keep going straight"

14. zurück

    Back / go back

    Usage

    Show this to ask the driver to go back the way you came; a U-turn is "wenden"

15. Bitte hier anhalten

    Please stop here

    Usage

    Show this in a taxi when you have reached the spot where you want to get out

    Grammar Note

    "Anhalten" is separable; the full imperative is "Halten Sie bitte hier an"

16. der Norden

    North

    Usage

    Point to this when checking a map or a compass direction

17. der Süden

    South

    Usage

    Point to this when checking a map or a compass direction

18. der Osten

    East

    Usage

    Point to this when checking a map or a compass direction

19. der Westen

    West

    Usage

    Point to this when checking a map or a compass direction

20. das Hotel

    Hotel

    Usage

    Point to this to give a hotel as your destination

21. der Flughafen

    Airport

    Usage

    Point to this to give the airport as your destination

22. die Bushaltestelle

    Bus stop

    Usage

    Point to this to ask where the bus stop is

23. die U-Bahn

    Subway

    Usage

    Point to this to ask about the subway; look for the white "U" on a blue sign

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; do not confuse it with "die S-Bahn", the separate above-ground commuter rail

24. die Botschaft

    Embassy

    Usage

    Point to this when you need to reach your embassy, e.g. after losing a passport

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; the same word also means "message", but when asking for directions it reads as the embassy

25. der Geldautomat

    ATM

    Usage

    Point to this to ask where you can withdraw cash

26. die Wechselstube

    Currency exchange

    Usage

    Point to this to ask where you can change money

27. der Waschsalon

    Laundromat

    Usage

    Point to this to find a self-service laundry

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