Directions

1. 〜はどこですか？

   ~ wa do-ko de-su ka?

   Where is ~?

   Usage

   Basic phrase for asking where something is. Replace ~ with the place name

   Grammar Note

   "wa" marks the topic. "Doko" is the interrogative for location, equivalent to English "where"

2. 右に曲がってください

   mi-gi ni ma-ga-t-te ku-da-sa-i

   Please turn right

   Usage

   Used when giving or receiving directions to turn right

   Grammar Note

   "~te kudasai" is a polite request form. Swap "migi" for "hidari" to say "turn left"

3. まっすぐ行ってください

   ma-s-su-gu i-t-te ku-da-sa-i

   Please go straight ahead

   Usage

   Used to tell someone to go straight when giving directions

   Grammar Note

   "Massugu" is an adverb meaning straight. It can also be written with kanji: 真っ直ぐ

4. ここから歩いて何分かかりますか？

   ko-ko ka-ra a-ru-i-te nan-pun ka-ka-ri-ma-su ka?

   How many minutes does it take to walk from here?

   Usage

   Used to ask how long it takes to walk to a destination

   Grammar Note

   "Aruite" (te-form of walk) indicates mode of transport. Swap with "densha de" or "basu de" for transit time

5. 地図を描いてもらえますか？

   chi-zu wo ka-i-te mo-ra-e-ma-su ka?

   Could you draw me a map?

   Usage

   Used when directions are complex or verbal explanation is hard to follow

   Grammar Note

   "~te moraemasu ka" is a polite request. Using "~te moraemasen ka" is even more deferential

6. この住所まで連れて行ってください

   ko-no jū-sho ma-de tsu-re-te i-t-te ku-da-sa-i

   Please take me to this address

   Usage

   Used when showing an address to a taxi driver or asking someone to guide you

   Grammar Note

   "Tsurete iku" means to take someone along. Writing the address on paper ensures clear communication

7. 道に迷ってしまいました

   mi-chi ni ma-yo-t-te shi-ma-i-ma-shi-ta

   I got lost

   Usage

   Used to tell someone that you are lost

   Grammar Note

   "~te shimau" adds nuance of regret or unintended outcome. Casual form: "michi ni mayotchatta"

8. 次の角で右に曲がってください

   tsu-gi no ka-do de mi-gi ni ma-ga-t-te ku-da-sa-i

   Please turn right at the next corner

   Usage

   Used when giving more specific directions with a landmark reference

   Grammar Note

   "De" marks the location of an action. Swap "kado" with "shingo" (traffic light) or "kōsaten" (intersection)

9. 駅から近いですか？

   e-ki ka-ra chi-ka-i de-su ka?

   Is it close to the station?

   Usage

   Used to check whether a destination is within walking distance of the station

   Grammar Note

   "Kara" marks the starting point. Antonym of "chikai" is "tōi" (far). Swap "eki" with "basu" or "kūkō" (airport)

10. この道を渡ってください

    ko-no mi-chi wo wa-ta-t-te ku-da-sa-i

    Please cross this street

    Usage

    Used to instruct someone to cross a road or bridge when giving directions

    Grammar Note

    "Wataru" means to cross or traverse. Also used in "hashi wo watatte" (cross the bridge) or "ōdan hodō wo watatte"

11. 右

    mi-gi

    Right

    Usage

    One-word direction for taxis and street directions — readable at a glance while driving

12. 左

    hi-da-ri

    Left

    Usage

    One-word direction for taxis and street directions

13. まっすぐ

    mas-su-gu

    Straight ahead

    Usage

    Show it to mean "keep going straight"

14. 戻ってください

    mo-do-t-te ku-da-sa-i

    Please go back

    Usage

    For when you have gone too far; Japanese needs the request form here — the bare verb would not read as an instruction

15. 止まってください

    to-ma-t-te ku-da-sa-i

    Please stop here

    Usage

    Tells a taxi driver where to pull over; the bare form "tomatte" would sound rude to a stranger

16. 北

    ki-ta

    North

    Usage

    Compass direction; also appears in station exit names such as "kita-guchi" (north exit)

17. 南

    mi-na-mi

    South

    Usage

    Compass direction; also appears in station exit names such as "minami-guchi" (south exit)

18. 東

    hi-ga-shi

    East

    Usage

    Compass direction; also appears in station exit names such as "higashi-guchi" (east exit)

19. 西

    ni-shi

    West

    Usage

    Compass direction; also appears in station exit names such as "nishi-guchi" (west exit)

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