Asking for and giving directions
Demander et donner des directions
- Ask for directions in a city
- Giving directions to a stranger
- Ask for the existence of a building or service.
- expression of moments
Learn essential French phrases to ask for and give directions. This lesson introduces key vocabulary such as locations in town and directional expressions, practical dialogues, and verb conjugations to help you navigate confidently in French-speaking areas.
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
Vocabulary (18) 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: Sort the following words into two categories according to their use for asking or giving directions in town.
Expressions de position ou de direction
Lieux en ville
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Le magasin
The shop
2
Le centre-ville
The town centre
3
La gare
The station
4
Le parc
The park
5
Trouver
To find
Exercice 5: Conversation exercise
Instruction:
- 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:
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Y a-t-il un arrêt de bus à proximité ? Is there a bus stop nearby? |
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Allez tout droit puis prenez la deuxième rue à gauche. Go straight and then take the second street on the left. |
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La gare est à côté du parc. The train station is next to the park. |
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Savez-vous où se trouve l'école ? Do you know where the school is? |
|
Oui, il suffit d'aller tout droit. Yes, you just have to go straight. |
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Connaissez-vous le chemin vers la place principale ? 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. Je ___ facilement la gare près d'ici.
(I ___ easily find the station near here.)2. Tu ___ le bureau d'information à ta droite.
(You ___ the information desk to your right.)3. Il ___ le parc au bout de la rue.
(He ___ the park at the end of the street.)4. Nous ___ le magasin près de la place.
(We ___ the store near the square.)Exercise 8: Asking for and giving directions in the park
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Trouver - Find
Passé composé
- j'ai trouvé
- tu as trouvé
- il/elle a trouvé
- nous avons trouvé
- vous avez trouvé
- ils/elles ont trouvé
Chercher - Look for
Présent
- je cherche
- tu cherches
- il/elle cherche
- nous cherchons
- vous cherchez
- ils/elles cherchent
Demander - Ask
Présent
- je demande
- tu demandes
- il/elle demande
- nous demandons
- vous demandez
- ils/elles demandent
Répondre - Answer
Présent
- je réponds
- tu réponds
- il/elle répond
- nous répondons
- vous répondez
- ils/elles répondent
Dire - Say
Présent
- je dis
- tu dis
- il/elle dit
- nous disons
- vous dites
- ils/elles disent
Traverser - Cross
Présent
- je traverse
- tu traverses
- il/elle traverse
- nous traversons
- vous traversez
- ils/elles traversent
Aller - Go
Futur proche
- je vais
- tu vas
- il/elle va
- nous allons
- vous allez
- ils/elles vont
Avoir - Have
Passé composé
- j'ai
- tu as
- il/elle a
- nous avons
- vous avez
- ils/elles ont
Exercise 9: Expression des moments
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Expression of moments
Show translation Show answersle mois prochain, Le mois dernier, Avant-hier, Hier, L'année prochaine, la semaine dernière, la semaine prochaine, Après-demain
Grammar Share Copied!
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Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Trouver to find Share Copied!
present
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') je trouve / j'trouve | I find / I find |
| tu trouves | you find |
| (il/elle/on) il trouve / elle trouve / on trouve | (he finds / she finds / one finds) |
| nous trouvons | we find |
| vous trouvez | You find |
| (ils/elles) ils trouvent / elles trouvent | they find |
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Asking for and Giving Directions in French
In this lesson, you will learn how to ask for and provide directions, essential skills for navigating French-speaking cities and towns. The content focuses on practical phrases you can use to find places like "la gare" (the train station) or "le parc" (the park). Key expressions include directional cues such as "à côté de" (next to), "à ta droite" (to your right), "tout droit" (straight ahead), and "traverser la rue" (cross the street). These foundational phrases will help you understand and give clear instructions.
Key Phrases and Vocabulary
- Excusez-moi, où se trouve la gare, s'il vous plaît ? - "Excuse me, where is the train station, please?"
- Traversez la rue et continuez tout droit. - "Cross the street and continue straight ahead."
- Le bureau d'information est juste à côté de la place principale. - "The information office is right next to the main square."
You'll practice dialogs for common scenarios, such as finding a pharmacy or asking for directions to a restaurant, which will help you use these expressions naturally. The lesson also includes exercises on verb conjugations with verbs like "trouver" (to find), which appear frequently when discussing locations.
Cultural and Language Notes
French uses specific phrases for giving directions that may differ from English, such as "tout droit" instead of "straight ahead," or "à ta gauche" instead of "to your left." Moreover, French often uses polite forms like "Excusez-moi" when addressing strangers, reflecting social norms of politeness. Notice how some verbs are used in different tenses to describe directions or plans, for example, "Je vais demander des directions" (I am going to ask for directions).
Understanding these expressions in context will greatly improve your confidence when traveling or living in French-speaking environments.
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