Asking for and giving directions
Vragen naar en geven van de weg
- Ask for directions in a city
- Giving directions to a stranger
- Ask for the existence of a building or service.
- Imperative mood
Learn to ask for and give directions in Dutch using common words like 'het station' (the station), 'linksaf' (turn left), and 'rechtdoor' (straight ahead). This lesson covers useful imperatives and vocabulary for navigating the city.
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
Vocabulary (15) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Divide the words into two groups: places in the city and words for giving directions.
Plekken in de stad
Woorden voor het geven van richtingen
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Ver
Far
2
Rechtdoor
Straight on
3
Dichtbij
Nearby
4
De weg
The road
5
Rechtsaf
Turn right
Oefening 5: Conversation exercise
Instructie:
- Ask how to go to a building. (Ask how to go to a building.)
- Give directions to the others. (Give directions to the others. )
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
Is er een bushalte in de buurt? Is there a bus stop nearby? |
|
Ga rechtdoor en neem dan de tweede straat links. Go straight and then take the second street on the left. |
|
Het treinstation is naast het park. The train station is next to the park. |
|
Weet je waar de school is? Do you know where the school is? |
|
Ja, je moet gewoon rechtdoor gaan. Yes, you just have to go straight. |
|
Weet je de weg naar het hoofdplein? Do you know the way to the main square? |
| ... |
Exercise 6: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 7: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. ___ het adres op en ga daarna linksaf bij de eerste straat.
(___ the address and then turn left at the first street.)2. ___ goed naar de uitleg over de route, dan loop je vanzelf goed.
(___ carefully to the explanation about the route, then you will naturally walk correctly.)3. ___ bij de halte en neem de bus richting het centrum.
(___ at the stop and take the bus towards the city center.)4. ___ de tweede straat rechtsaf en loop dan rechtdoor naar het park.
(___ the second street on the right and then walk straight ahead to the park.)Exercise 8: Asking for and giving directions in the city
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Luisteren - To listen
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd
- ik luister
- jij luistert
- hij/zij/het luistert
- wij luisteren
- jullie luisteren
- zij luisteren
Zoeken - To search
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd
- ik zoek
- jij zoekt
- hij/zij/het zoekt
- wij zoeken
- jullie zoeken
- zij zoeken
Stoppen - To stop
Voltooid verleden tijd
- ik stopte
- jij stopte
- hij/zij/het stopte
- wij stopten
- jullie stopten
- zij stopten
Lopen - To walk
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd
- ik loop
- jij loopt
- hij/zij/het loopt
- wij lopen
- jullie lopen
- zij lopen
Lopen - To walk
Gebiedende wijs
- (jij) loop
- (u) loopt
Exercise 9: Gebiedende wijs
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Imperative mood
Show translation Show answersKijkt, wandelen, Loop, Ga, Luistert, Stop, Zoek, Neem
Grammar Share Copied!
It's not the most exciting thing, we admit, but it’s absolutely essential (and we promise it'll pay off)!
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Luisteren to listen Share Copied!
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| (ik) luister | I listen |
| (jij) luister/luistert | you listen |
| (hij/zij/het) luistert | he/she/it listens |
| (wij) luisteren | we listen |
| (jullie) luisteren | you listen |
| (zij) luisteren | They listen |
Zoeken search Share Copied!
Onvoltooid tegenwoordige tijd (OTT)
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| (ik) zoek | I search |
| (jij) zoekt / zoek | you search |
| (hij/zij/het) zoekt | he/she/it searches |
| (wij) zoeken | we search |
| (jullie) zoeken | you search |
| (zij) zoeken | they search |
Stoppen to stop Share Copied!
Voltooid verleden tijd (VVT)
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| (ik) ben gestopt | I stopped |
| (jij) bent gestopt / bent gestopt? | you have stopped / have stopped |
| (hij/zij/het) is gestopt | he/she/it stopped |
| (wij) zijn gestopt | we have stopped |
| (jullie) zijn gestopt | you have stopped |
| (zij) zijn gestopt | They stopped |
Don't see progress when learning on your own? Study this material with a certified teacher!
Do you want to practice Dutch today? That is possible! Just contact one of our teachers today.
Asking for and Giving Directions in Dutch
This lesson helps you learn how to ask and give directions politely and effectively when you are navigating a Dutch-speaking city. You will focus on common locations in the city, imperative verbs used to give directions, and useful phrases to make your exchanges clear and natural.
Key Vocabulary: Places and Directions
Understanding essential words is crucial for giving and following directions. Here are two main groups of vocabulary you will study:
- Places in the City: de halte (the bus/tram stop), de straat (the street), het station (the station), het centrum (the city center), het park (the park).
- Words for Giving Directions: linksaf (turn left), rechtdoor (straight ahead), neem (take), stop (stop).
Using the Imperative Mood
You will practice the imperative form (gebiedende wijs) of verbs, which is commonly used to give direct instructions in Dutch. For example:
- Loop rechtdoor naar het station en neem dan linksaf.
- Neem de tweede straat rechts en stop bij het grote gebouw.
Mastering these forms helps you clearly instruct someone on how to reach a destination.
Practical Phrases and Dialogues
Dialogues simulate real-life conversations to practice asking and giving directions, such as:
- "Pardon, kunt u mij de weg naar het station wijzen?" (Excuse me, can you show me the way to the station?)
- "Loop deze straat uit en ga linksaf." (Walk out this street and turn left.)
These exchanges will improve your confidence when navigating Dutch cities.
Comparing Dutch Directions with English
In Dutch, the imperative form is often used for giving directions and is more direct than in English, where modal verbs or polite forms like "could you" are common. For example, Dutch uses "Neem de tweede straat rechts" (Take the second street on the right) directly, while English learners might say "Could you take the second street on the right?" when asking.
Also, in Dutch, certain words like linksaf and rechtdoor are compound words that compactly express directions (turn left, straight ahead), which English phrases require multiple words for.
Useful Expressions to Remember
- Zoekt u alstublieft... – Please look for...
- Kijk naar de kaart – Look at the map
- Stop even – Stop for a moment
- Loop ver door de straat – Walk far down the street
These lessons would not be possible without our amazing partners🙏
