Back to Scenarios
🧳English scenario

Asking for Directions

Request and understand directions on foot or by vehicle using landmarks and street names.

Scenario Goal

You will be able to ask for and follow simple directions and confirm travel times.

Practice Flow

1

Start with the keywords that show up most often in this situation.

2

Learn the core phrase patterns before you try to respond on your own.

3

Then move into a dedicated practice session for scenario-specific feedback.

Keywords

The words most worth learning first for this situation.

1 / 12
Key Word
🧱

block

noun

A useful noun in this situation.

一街区(城市中相邻两个交叉口之间的距离,常用于指路)

Walk two blocks and you'll see it on your left.

Tap to see details
Details

block

一街区(城市中相邻两个交叉口之间的距离,常用于指路)

使用说明

在美式英语中很常用:人们会说'three blocks'来估计步行距离,这个概念在中国城市不常直接对应,因此外国城市里很实用。

例句

Walk two blocks and you'll see it on your left.

走两个街区你会在左手边看到它。

✖️

intersection

noun

A useful noun in this situation.

路口/交叉路口(两条或多条街道相交的地方)

Turn right at the next intersection.

Tap to see details
Details

intersection

路口/交叉路口(两条或多条街道相交的地方)

使用说明

指路时常用来定位:比如'turn left at the intersection'。中国人有时候把intersection直译成'交叉',但英语里要说完整。

例句

Turn right at the next intersection.

在下一个路口右转。

🔄

roundabout

noun

A useful noun in this situation.

环岛/圆环(traffic circle)

Take the third exit at the roundabout.

Tap to see details
Details

roundabout

环岛/圆环(traffic circle)

使用说明

很多英语国家用环岛而不是红绿灯控制路口;问路时常会听到'take the second exit'之类的说法。中国的大多数人不常用这个词,出国会比较困惑。

例句

Take the third exit at the roundabout.

在环岛处走第三个出口。

dead end

noun phrase

A useful noun phrase for this situation.

尽头/死胡同(无法通行到另一条街的路)

Don't take Oak Street — it's a dead end.

Tap to see details
Details

dead end

尽头/死胡同(无法通行到另一条街的路)

使用说明

问路时别人会提醒你avoid a dead end(避开尽头路),或者说'it’s a dead end'来警告。中国直译可能会说'死路'但英文习惯用dead end。

例句

Don't take Oak Street — it's a dead end.

别走橡树街——那是条死胡同。

➡️

one-way

noun

A useful noun in this situation.

单行道(只能一个方向行驶的街道)

It's on a one-way street — you need to go around the block.

Tap to see details
Details

one-way

单行道(只能一个方向行驶的街道)

使用说明

驾车问路时特别重要:你可能需要绕行到允许方向的街道。中文里常说'单行道',但在指路对话中常听到'one-way street'。

例句

It's on a one-way street — you need to go around the block.

它在一条单行道上——你得绕一圈街区。

🚶‍♂️

crosswalk

noun

A useful noun in this situation.

人行横道(路上行人通过的标线)

Cross at the crosswalk and then take the stairs up.

Tap to see details
Details

crosswalk

人行横道(路上行人通过的标线)

使用说明

在问路时别人可能会指着一个crosswalk说'cross at the crosswalk'来让你安全过马路;中国可能叫'斑马线',英语里常用crosswalk或zebra crossing(英式)。

例句

Cross at the crosswalk and then take the stairs up.

在斑马线那里穿过去,然后上楼梯。

↪️

turn onto

noun phrase

A useful noun phrase for this situation.

拐进(某条街)— 表示从一条街转入另一条街

Turn onto Elm Street and continue for one block.

Tap to see details
Details

turn onto

拐进(某条街)— 表示从一条街转入另一条街

使用说明

与中文的'拐入'相似,但要注意搭配街道名称:turn onto Elm Street而不是turn to Elm。很多中国学习者会用错介词。

例句

Turn onto Elm Street and continue for one block.

拐进Elm街,继续走一个街区。

➡️

go past

noun phrase

A useful noun phrase for this situation.

经过(某地标/建筑)并继续前行

Go past the bakery, and it's the next building.

Tap to see details
Details

go past

经过(某地标/建筑)并继续前行

使用说明

别人会用go past来指出你需要穿过或绕过某个参照物,比如'go past the post office',中文常会直译成'经过',但要注意后面通常跟地点。

例句

Go past the bakery, and it's the next building.

经过面包店,下一栋就是。

👈

it's on your left

noun phrase

A useful noun phrase for this situation.

它在你的左手边(用于确认位置相对于听话人的方向)

The café is on your left right after the bridge.

Tap to see details
Details

it's on your left

它在你的左手边(用于确认位置相对于听话人的方向)

使用说明

常用口语表达,比说'left side'更自然;中国人常直译成'在你的左边',但英语里常把整句作为固定表达使用。

例句

The café is on your left right after the bridge.

咖啡馆就在桥后面,你的左手边。

⏱️

about a 10-minute walk

noun phrase

A useful noun phrase for this situation.

大约十分钟步行路程(用时间估计距离)

It's about a 10-minute walk from here.

Tap to see details
Details

about a 10-minute walk

大约十分钟步行路程(用时间估计距离)

使用说明

英语里常用时间来描述步行距离,国外街区长度不一,用时间比米数更实用。中国人习惯用米或分钟都可能,但要学会听'about a 10-minute walk'。

例句

It's about a 10-minute walk from here.

从这里走大约十分钟。

🪧

follow the signs for

noun phrase

A useful noun phrase for this situation.

跟着...的指示牌走(常用于高速或复杂路口)

Follow the signs for the highway, then keep left.

Tap to see details
Details

follow the signs for

跟着...的指示牌走(常用于高速或复杂路口)

使用说明

在开车或走到大型公共场所时常用,比如'follow the signs for downtown'。这是本地司机/路人给驾驶路线时会用的表达。

例句

Follow the signs for the highway, then keep left.

沿着去高速的指示牌走,然后靠左。

🛣️

take the first/second exit

noun phrase

A useful noun phrase for this situation.

在环岛或立交处走第一个/第二个出口

At the roundabout, take the second exit toward the river.

Tap to see details
Details

take the first/second exit

在环岛或立交处走第一个/第二个出口

使用说明

描述通过环岛或大型交叉路口的行驶路线时非常常见,尤其在英国和欧洲听到频率高。中国的路口结构不太一样,所以这个说法对中国学习者会比较新的方向感。

例句

At the roundabout, take the second exit toward the river.

在环岛处走第二个出口,朝河的方向。

💡Click a card to flip it and see more details

How To Say It

Use these natural phrases to sound confident in real situations.

1Survival phrases
Howkey phrase do I get to the museum?
💡

Why it works

This phrase is clear, natural, and easy to use in this situation.

Don't Say This

Common mistakes and how to sound more natural.

How to go to the station?

Say instead

How do I get to the station?

Turn on left at the corner.

Say instead

Turn left at the corner. / Turn onto Maple Street at the corner.

Go straightly for two blocks.

Say instead

Go straight for two blocks.

Next to of the bank.

Say instead

Next to the bank.

Quick Recap

Keep these points in mind before you start.

Key Takeaways

🎯

Situation goal

You will be able to ask for and follow simple directions and confirm travel times.

🗣️

Useful phrase

Start with a line like "How do I get to...?".

Stay natural

Use clear, polite wording that matches the context instead of translating too literally.

Key Phrases to Know

  1. 1

    How do I get to...?

  2. 2

    Go straight for two blocks

  3. 3

    It's on your left

Cultural Note

在英语国家向陌生人问路通常很常见且友好,路人常会用地标、街区数量或步行时间来解释路线;开车时对方可能会提醒你单行道或环岛出口,听清'exit'和'roundabout'很重要。

Practice mode

Ready to use what you just learned?

Scenario practice turns passive reading into active fluency. Pick a role, start talking, and get real feedback on every response.

  • AI conversation partner

    Practice this scenario in real back-and-forth exchanges with an AI that responds like a native speaker.

  • Instant phrase feedback

    Get corrections, natural alternatives, and explanations right after each message you send.

  • Track your progress

    See which phrases you've mastered across scenarios and revisit the ones that need more practice.

Get started

Log in to practice

Create a free account to unlock scenario practice, AI feedback, and progress tracking.

Log in to Start

Free to sign up — no credit card required.