Everyday Situations
Asking for Directions — Excuse me, where is the bus stop?
Lost? Need to find the bus stop, railway station, or a shop? These 5 dialogues teach you how to ask for and give directions in English — the most useful skill when you’re out!
Learn direction words: left, right, straight, turn, next to, opposite, near, far!
💬 Dialogue 1: Aarav is looking for the bus stop
📍 Aarav is looking for the bus stop. He asks a man on the street.
👦 Aarav:Excuse me, Uncle. Where is the bus stop?
सुनिए अंकल। बस स्टॉप कहाँ है?
👨 Uncle:Go straight and turn left at the traffic signal. It’s right there.
सीधे जाओ और ट्रैफ़िक सिग्नल पर बाएँ मुड़ जाओ। वहीं है।
👦 Aarav:Is it far from here?
क्या यहाँ से दूर है?
👨 Uncle:No, it’s only two minutes’ walk.
नहीं, बस दो मिनट की पैदल दूरी है।
👦 Aarav:Thank you so much, Uncle!
बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद, अंकल!
👨 Uncle:You’re welcome, beta. Be careful crossing the road!
कोई बात नहीं, बेटा। सड़क पार करते समय ध्यान रखना!
👦 Aarav:I will! Thank you!
रखूँगा! धन्यवाद!
✏️ Your Turn — Fill in the Blanks
Where is the ?
Go straight and turn at the signal.
Is it from here?
💬 Dialogue 2: Priya needs to find the library
📍 Priya needs to find the library. She asks a lady.
👧 Priya:Excuse me, Aunty. Can you tell me where the library is?
सुनिए आंटी। क्या आप बता सकती हैं कि लाइब्रेरी कहाँ है?
👩 Aunty:Yes! Go straight, then take the second right. The library is next to the post office.
हाँ! सीधे जाओ, फिर दूसरी दाईं तरफ़ मुड़ो। लाइब्रेरी पोस्ट ऑफ़िस के बगल में है।
👧 Priya:Next to the post office. Got it! Is it a big building?
पोस्ट ऑफ़िस के बगल में। समझ गई! क्या वो बड़ी इमारत है?
👩 Aunty:Yes, it has a blue board that says ‘City Library.’ You can’t miss it!
हाँ, उस पर नीला बोर्ड लगा है — ‘सिटी लाइब्रेरी।’ तुम पहचान लोगी!
👧 Priya:Thank you, Aunty! That’s very helpful.
धन्यवाद, आंटी! बहुत मदद हुई।
👩 Aunty:Happy reading! Bye, beta.
पढ़ने का मज़ा लो! बाय, बेटा।
✏️ Your Turn — Fill in the Blanks
The library is the post office.
Take the second .
You can’t it!
💬 Dialogue 3: Arjun needs an auto-rickshaw to go to the railway station
📍 Arjun needs an auto-rickshaw to go to the railway station.
👦 Arjun:Auto! Will you go to the railway station?
ऑटो! रेलवे स्टेशन चलोगे?
👨 Auto Driver:Yes, beta. Sit inside. It will be fifty rupees.
हाँ, बेटा। अंदर बैठो। पचास रुपये लगेंगे।
👦 Arjun:Fifty rupees? That’s too much! The meter shows thirty.
पचास रुपये? बहुत ज़्यादा है! मीटर तीस दिखाता है।
👨 Auto Driver:Okay, okay. Forty rupees. Final price.
ठीक है, ठीक है। चालीस रुपये। आख़िरी दाम।
👦 Arjun:Okay, let’s go. Please go quickly, my train is at 4 o’clock.
ठीक है, चलो। प्लीज़ जल्दी चलो, मेरी ट्रेन 4 बजे है।
👨 Auto Driver:Don’t worry! We will reach in fifteen minutes.
चिंता मत करो! पंद्रह मिनट में पहुँच जाएँगे।
👦 Arjun:Thank you, bhaiya!
धन्यवाद, भैया!
💬 Dialogue 4: During a school trip, Meera asks the teacher for directions to the washroom
📍 During a school trip, Meera asks the teacher for directions to the washroom.
👧 Meera:Ma’am, where is the washroom in this museum?
मैडम, इस म्यूज़ियम में washroom कहाँ है?
👩🏫 Teacher:Go down this corridor and turn right. It’s at the end of the hall.
इस गलियारे से जाओ और दाएँ मुड़ो। हॉल के अंत में है।
👧 Meera:Is it near the dinosaur exhibit?
क्या ये डायनासोर प्रदर्शनी के पास है?
👩🏫 Teacher:Yes! It’s right opposite the dinosaur room. You’ll see a sign.
हाँ! डायनासोर कमरे के ठीक सामने है। बोर्ड दिखेगा।
👧 Meera:Thank you, Ma’am! I’ll be back quickly.
धन्यवाद, मैडम! मैं जल्दी वापस आऊँगी।
👩🏫 Teacher:Go ahead. And remember — don’t run!
जाओ। और याद रखो — दौड़ो मत!
💬 Dialogue 5: Papa teaches Aarav how to read a map and find their way
📍 Papa teaches Aarav how to read a map and find their way.
👨 Papa:Aarav, can you read this map? Where are we right now?
आरव, क्या तुम ये नक्शा पढ़ सकते हो? हम अभी कहाँ हैं?
👦 Aarav:I think we are here, near the park. The temple is on the left.
मुझे लगता है हम यहाँ हैं, पार्क के पास। मंदिर बाईं तरफ़ है।
👨 Papa:Very good! Now, which way should we go to reach the market?
बहुत अच्छे! अब, बाज़ार पहुँचने के लिए कौन सा रास्ता लेना चाहिए?
👦 Aarav:We should go straight and then turn right at the roundabout.
हमें सीधे जाना चाहिए और फिर गोल चक्कर पर दाएँ मुड़ना चाहिए।
👨 Papa:Excellent! You are getting good at reading maps!
बढ़िया! तुम नक्शा पढ़ने में अच्छे हो रहे हो!
👦 Aarav:Thanks, Papa! Can we buy ice cream at the market?
धन्यवाद, पापा! क्या हम बाज़ार से आइसक्रीम ले सकते हैं?
👨 Papa:Ha ha! Let’s find it first, then we’ll see!
हा हा! पहले पहुँचो, फिर देखेंगे!
📖 Key Vocabulary
Left
बाएँ — Opposite of right direction
Right
दाएँ — Opposite of left direction
Straight
सीधे — Going forward, not turning
Turn
मुड़ना — Change direction
Next to
बगल में — Beside, right next
Opposite
सामने — Facing, across from
Near
पास/नज़दीक — Not far away
Far
दूर — A long way away
Corner
कोना/मोड़ — Where two roads meet
Roundabout
गोल चक्कर — Circular road junction
🗣️ Key Phrases to Remember
- “Excuse me, where is ___?” — Ask for location सुनिए, ___ कहाँ है?
- “Go straight and turn left/right.” — Give directions सीधे जाओ और बाएँ/दाएँ मुड़ो।
- “Is it far from here?” — Ask about distance क्या यहाँ से दूर है?
- “It’s next to / opposite ___” — Describe location ___ के बगल में / सामने है
- “You can’t miss it!” — Say it’s easy to find तुम पहचान लोगे!
📐 Grammar Spotlight: Direction Words: Left, Right, Straight
Use direction words to tell someone where to go
Key direction words: LEFT (बाएँ), RIGHT (दाएँ), STRAIGHT (सीधे), TURN (मुड़ो). Use ‘next to’ (बगल में), ‘opposite’ (सामने), ‘near’ (पास), ‘between’ (बीच में) to describe where things are.
✅ Turn left at the signal.
✅ Go straight for two minutes.
✅ It’s next to the post office.
✅ The shop is opposite the park.
✅ The bank is between the school and the hospital.
✅ Go straight for two minutes.
✅ It’s next to the post office.
✅ The shop is opposite the park.
✅ The bank is between the school and the hospital.
❌ Go to the left side and after that go right side. ❌ (Too wordy — say ‘Turn left, then turn right.’)
🎭 Direction Role Play!
- Draw a simple map of your neighbourhood on paper.
- One person asks: ‘Where is the ___?’ (bus stop, market, park)
- Other person gives directions using left, right, straight, turn.
- The asker follows the directions on the map with their finger.
- Try giving wrong directions — can the other person catch the mistake?
- Switch roles and try different locations!
❓ Quiz — Test Yourself!
1. ‘Where is the bus stop?’ — correct direction reply:
2. ‘Is it far?’ means:
3. ‘Next to’ means:
4. ‘Turn right at the signal’ means:
5. ‘Opposite the park’ means:
6. ‘You can’t miss it!’ means:
7. ‘Go ___ for two minutes.’
8. How to ask directions politely?
❓ FAQ
How to ask for directions in English?
Start with ‘Excuse me’ and then ask: ‘Where is the ___?’ or ‘Can you tell me how to get to ___?’ or ‘Which way is the ___?’ Always be polite!
Key direction words to know?
Left, right, straight, turn, near, far, next to, opposite, between, behind, in front of, corner, signal, roundabout, crossing.
How to understand directions?
Listen for key words: left/right, straight, turn, and landmarks (next to the bank, opposite the park). Ask ‘Can you repeat that?’ if unsure.
How to give directions?
Use simple steps: ‘First, go straight. Then, turn left. The shop is on the right side.’ Use landmarks: ‘It’s next to the big temple.’
What if I’m still lost?
Ask again! Say: ‘I’m sorry, I’m still lost. Can you show me on a map?’ or ‘Can you point me in the right direction?’ People are happy to help!