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 expressions to ask for and give directions, such as « Où se trouve la gare ? », « À ta droite », and « Traverse la rue ». Practice vocabulary for places like la gare, le parc, and le bureau d'information.
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? |
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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!
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!
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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Lesson Overview: Asking for and Giving Directions in French
This lesson focuses on practical communication skills essential for navigating French-speaking environments. It is tailored for A1 beginners aiming to confidently ask for and give directions around town, including common places like the train station, a park, pharmacies, and restaurants.
Key Expressions and Vocabulary
You'll learn important phrases to ask politely for directions, such as "Excusez-moi, où se trouve la gare, s'il vous plaît ?" (Excuse me, where is the train station, please?), and useful directional expressions like:
- À côté de – next to
- À ta droite – to your right
- Tout droit – straight ahead
- Traversez la rue – cross the street
Common city locations included are la gare (train station), le parc (the park), la pharmacie (pharmacy), and le restaurant.
Practical Dialogues and Contexts
The lesson provides realistic dialogues that simulate everyday situations, helping you:
- Ask for directions politely
- Understand and follow simple instructions to reach a destination
- Inquire about opening hours and location specifics
Examples include asking how to get to the train station or pharmacy, and locating a restaurant by reference points like a museum or bookstore.
Grammatical Focus
There is an emphasis on the present tense conjugation of common verbs related to movement and inquiry such as chercher (to look for), trouver (to find), demander (to ask), and practical use of passé composé and futur proche to express past and near future actions.
Verb conjugation exercises use key verbs in contextual sentences, for example: Je trouve facilement la gare près d'ici. and Tu traverses la rue.
Useful Notes on Language Differences
In French, polite requests often use the construction "Excusez-moi, où se trouve... ?" which literally means "Excuse me, where is...?" More formal and polite phrasing than casual English. Directional phrases in French frequently involve prepositions of place such as à côté de (next to) or tout droit (straight ahead). These are essential to give precise instructions.
Some expressions differ from English usage; for instance, à ta droite means "to your right" but literally translates as "at your right." Also, verbs like trouver can mean both "to find" and "to locate," which is helpful in direction contexts.
Summary
By mastering these expressions, vocabulary, and verb conjugations, you'll be well-prepared to navigate city streets, ask for help, and give clear directions in everyday French-speaking settings.
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