EVERYONE NEEDS TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS ONCE IN A WHILE
Are you planning your next trip? How to get directions in 10 languages!
Published on September 8, 2024
Credit: Janis Oppliger
Having a general knowledge of the geography and local language is sound advice for anyone visiting a foreign land. Knowing your way around and being able to communicate with the locals will always ensure a smoother experience. However, this may not always be the case. Perhaps you are visiting for the first time, find yourself in unfamiliar territory, or are not sure about how to properly ask for directions. If that is the case, it is always a good idea to know, at the very least, how to ask for help in the local language. Scroll on to learn about the proper way to ask for directions in 10 widely used languages, from the familiar to the obscure.
Spanish: Dónde está…?
Credit: Sam Williams
Let’s start with one of the best-known languages for all English speakers aside from their own: Spanish. This incredibly rich language has countless words for everything, which allows us to be very specific when describing something.
But if we are pressed for time, in a Spanish-speaking environment and need to get somewhere, we can simply say "¿Dónde está?" ( Don Deh Is Tah) followed by the name of whichever place we need to reach. That little phrase means, literally, "where is?"
Italian: Dov'è…?
Credit: Federico Beccari
Another beautiful and ancient language with Latin origins, Italian, might sound slightly similar to Spanish but it’s a whole different thing. Italian is a very musical language, usually accompanied by generous body language.
If you ever find yourself in an Italian-speaking part of the world and need to ask for directions, you should say "Dov'è…?" (Dove eh), once again**, followed by the name of the place you need to get to.** Any Italian worth their salt will quickly understand and point you in the right direction.
French: Où est…?
Credit: JOHN TOWNER
Between Italy and Spain, we find another beautiful Mediterranean language: French. This sophisticated language makes us feel like we are in a movie and can be challenging to anyone who doesn’t speak it, as its correct pronunciation involves some sounds quite different from those commonly used in English.
The French are very proud of their language, as they should be, and appreciate when someone makes an honest effort to communicate with them in French. If you ever need to ask for directions in French, simply say "Où est…?" (Ooh Eh) followed by the name of the place you need to go, which means "Where is…?"
Portuguese: Onde está…?
Credit: Vita Marija Murenaite
Another soft-spoken language that reflects the beautiful landscapes and atmosphere of its nation is Portuguese. This serene language is a close relative to its neighbor, Spanish, and similarities can be found frequently between the two.
If you ever find yourself in the charming streets of Portugal, or perhaps in Brazil, and need to ask for directions, you can say "Onde está…?" (On The Stah) to a local, followed by the name of your destination. Those magical words translate again into "Where is…?"
German: Wo ist…?
Credit: Ansgar Scheffold
Moving on from the Latin-based languages, we encounter a language with some common roots with English: German. The German language might sound harsh to some people (especially those coming from Portuguese-speaking regions), but it is extremely poetic, with words that express very deep and specific emotions often hard to find elsewhere in the world.
When asking for directions in Germany or any other German-speaking region, you should say "Wo ist…? (Voo Est) followed by the name of the place you need to go and directions should be provided.
Hindi: Kahaan hai…?
Credit: Martin Jernberg
Asian languages are very different from European ones, both in terms of sound and structure. Hindi is an extremely ancient language, a direct descendant of Sanskrit, one of the oldest known languages, and learning to communicate in it can be quite challenging for Europeans.
A significant percentage of the Indian population speaks English but that is not a guarantee and it would be smart to learn how to ask for directions in Hindi, just in case. The magical words are "Kahaan hai…?" (Kah Haan Hi) followed by the place you need to get to.
Japanese: Doko ni arimasu ka…?
Credit: Tianshu Liu
Japanese people are renowned for their politeness, so you shouldn’t have any trouble asking for directions in a Japanese-speaking area. However, even though many Japanese people do speak English, there is a chance that some may only be able to assist you in their native tongue.
If that is the case, one would be well advised to learn how to say "Where is…?" in Japanese. The correct way of saying so is**: "Doko ni arimasu ka…?" ( Doh Koh Nee Aree Mah Soo Kah) followed by the destination’s name.**
Swahili: Iko wapi…?
Credit: Sergey Pesterev
Africa is not an ideal place for a foreign tourist to get lost, as its natural wonders can present many hazards and perils. But if that is the case, and the lost tourist happens to run into someone who speaks Swahili, knowing how to ask for directions in that language can be extremely helpful.
To ask how to get to a certain place in Swahili, you must say "Iko wapi…?" (E Koh Wah Pee) followed by the name of your desired destination.
Polish: Gdzie jest…?
Credit: Jacek Dylag
A gorgeous country, full of historic places to visit, beautiful landscapes, and friendly people, Poland is also home to the Polish language, which can be challenging to learn or understand for the untrained ear.
If you ever were to find yourself in the streets of Poland looking for a specific location, know that the correct way to ask for assistance is to say "Gdzie jest…?" (Tzee Eh Yest) followed by the name of the intended destination.
Greek: Pou eínai…?
Credit: Patrick
One of the biggest tourist magnets in the world is, without a doubt, Greece. Its incredible history and monuments, its beautiful beaches and coastal towns, and its delicious food and wine make for an unforgettable experience.
But even in a country so used to foreign visitors, with its fair share of English-speaking locals, you might encounter people who will only speak in Greek. If you ever find yourself in the situation of having to ask for directions in Greek, know that the right way to do so is by saying: "Pou eínai…?" (Poe A Ni) followed by the name of the place you want to visit.