Everyone gets lost sometimes. These few sentences turn a stressful moment into a short, friendly conversation.
1. Stopping Someone Politely
Sam: Excuse me, can you help me?
Woman: Sure. What do you need?
Sam: I'm looking for the post office.
Woman: It's just around the corner.
Sam: Thank you so much.
Woman: You're welcome.
2. Asking for Directions
Tourist: How do I get to the museum?
Local: Go straight, then turn right.
Tourist: Turn right at the lights?
Local: Yes. It's next to the bank.
Tourist: Got it. Thank you.
3. I'm Lost
Maya: Excuse me. I think I'm lost.
Man: Where do you want to go?
Maya: This address.
Man: Ah, you're going the wrong way.
Maya: Oh no. Is it far?
Man: Ten minutes back that way.
4. Asking About Distance
Guest: Is the station far from here?
Staff: No, it's quite close.
Guest: Can I walk?
Staff: Yes, about five minutes.
Guest: Perfect. Thank you.
5. Taking a Bus
Passenger: Does this bus go to the city centre?
Driver: Yes, it does.
Passenger: How much is a ticket?
Driver: Two dollars.
Passenger: Can you tell me when to get off?
Driver: Of course.
6. Buying a Train Ticket
Traveller: One ticket to London, please.
Clerk: Single or return?
Traveller: Return, please.
Clerk: That's forty pounds.
Traveller: Which platform?
Clerk: Platform six.
7. Asking for the Toilet
Guest: Excuse me. Where's the toilet?
Staff: Down the hall, on your left.
Guest: Sorry, on the left?
Staff: Yes, past the lift.
Guest: Thank you.
8. When You Don't Understand
Ana: Sorry, I didn't catch that.
Man: I said turn left at the church.
Ana: Could you say it again, slowly?
Man: Turn... left... at the church.
Ana: Now I understand. Thank you.
Man: No problem at all.
Words to know
| looking for | trying to find I'm looking for the post office. |
| straight | not turning left or right Go straight. |
| lost | not knowing where you are I think I'm lost. |
| far | a long distance away Is it far from here? |
| get off | to leave a bus or train Tell me when to get off. |
| return | a ticket to go and come back Single or return? |
| platform | where you wait for a train Which platform? |
| catch | to hear and understand I didn't catch that. |
Quick practice
Complete each sentence with an expression from the lessons.
1. A: Excuse me, can you ________ me?
B: Sure. What do you need?
2. A: How do I ________ to the museum?
B: Go straight, then turn right.
3. A: Excuse me. I think I'm ________.
B: Where do you want to go?
4. A: Is the station ________ from here?
B: No, it's quite close.
5. A: ________ this bus go to the city centre?
B: Yes, it does.
6. A: Sorry, I didn't ________ that.
B: I said turn left at the church.
Show the answers
1. help 2. get 3. lost 4. far 5. Does 6. catch
Common mistakes
Not: Where is situated the museum?
Say: Where is the museum?
Keep it short. English puts the verb straight after where.
Not: Please, you can help me?
Say: Excuse me, can you help me?
Start with Excuse me, then the question. Do not start with please.
Not: I go down from the bus here.
Say: I get off the bus here.
The fixed phrase is get off a bus, train or plane.
Your turn
Imagine you are in a city you do not know. Say these five things aloud.
- Stop a stranger politely and ask for help.
- Ask how to get to the train station.
- Ask whether it is far and whether you can walk.
- Ask a bus driver if the bus goes where you want.
- Say you did not understand and ask them to repeat slowly.
Quick review
Give directions out loud from your home to the nearest shop, in English, as if a stranger asked you. Use straight, left, right, past and next to. Being able to give directions makes understanding them much easier.