Latest / Learn Italian with Fexingo / Italian Directions: Asking Where Things Are
Transcript
- Lucas: Welcome back to Learn Italian with Fexingo. I am Lucas. Luna: And I am Luna. We are so happy to be here again. Lucas: Last episode, we talked about asking for help when you are stuck. That is very useful. Luna: Right. Because sometimes you need more than just help. You need to know where to go. Lucas: Exactly. Today we are going to talk about directions. Navigating a new city can be scary. Luna: I hate getting lost. Especially when my phone battery dies. Lucas: It happens. But if you have these phrases, you will be fine. Let us start with the first one. Luna: Okay. How do I ask where the train station is? Lucas: You say: Scusi, dov'è la stazione? Luna: Scusi, dov'è la stazione? Lucas: Perfect. 'Scusi' means excuse me. It is polite. 'Dov'è' means where is. 'La stazione' is the station. Luna: Let me try that again. Scusi, dov'è la stazione? Lucas: Yes. Very good. Now imagine you are standing on a street corner. Luna: I see a big square. There are people everywhere. Lucas: You approach someone. You say: Scusi, dov'è la stazione? Luna: Scusi, dov'è la stazione? Lucas: The person smiles and points. They might say: Vado dritto. Luna: Wait. 'Vado dritto'? Does that mean I go straight? Lucas: Actually, literally it means 'I go straight'. But in this context, they are telling you to go straight. Luna: Oh. Okay. So I just walk forward. Lucas: Yes. Say it with me. Vado dritto. Luna: Vado dritto. Lucas: Good. 'Dritto' means straight or right side. Not left. Luna: Got it. Straight ahead. Lucas: So you walk down the street. You turn the corner. Luna: Now I see another person. I need to make sure I am still on the right path. Lucas: You ask them: Scusi, dov'è la stazione? Luna: Scusi, dov'è la stazione? Lucas: They look at you kindly. They say: Giri a destra. Luna: 'Giri a destra'? What does that mean? Lucas: It means 'Turn right'. 'Giri' is the formal command for turn. 'A destra' is to the right. Luna: Okay. Turn right. Let me practice. Giri a destra. Lucas: Yes. Giri a destra. Luna: Giri a destra. Lucas: You turn right. The street is long. You start to worry. Luna: Is it far? I don't see any signs. Lucas: You ask the next person: È lontano? Luna: 'È lontano'? Is it far? Lucas: Exactly. 'È' is it is. 'Lontano' is far. Simple question. Luna: Let me try. È lontano? Lucas: Perfect. The person nods and says: No, è vicino. Luna: Oh, thank goodness. It is close. Lucas: You keep walking. Finally, you see the big building. The station. Luna: I made it. I feel so proud. Lucas: You turn to the last person who helped you. You say: Grazie mille. Luna: Grazie mille. Lucas: 'Grazie' is thanks. 'Mille' is thousand. Thank you very much. Luna: Grazie mille. Lucas: Let us review the whole journey. You arrive in the city. Luna: I look around. I need to find the station. Lucas: You ask: Scusi, dov'è la stazione? Luna: Scusi, dov'è la stazione? Lucas: They tell you: Vado dritto. Luna: Vado dritto. Lucas: You turn a corner. Someone says: Giri a destra. Luna: Giri a destra. Lucas: You wonder if you walked too far. You ask: È lontano? Luna: È lontano? Lucas: You arrive. You smile. You say: Grazie mille. Luna: Grazie mille. Lucas: These five phrases cover almost every direction situation. It is really simple. Luna: I used to be terrified of asking for directions. Now I feel ready. Lucas: That is the goal. Just be polite and speak clearly. Luna: If Fexingo has been helping you make actual progress with this language... Lucas: Honestly, if today was worth a coffee to you, that's the link — buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. That's F. E. X. I. N. G. O. Luna: Yeah. It really helps keep the show going. And keeps it ad-free for everyone. Lucas: Thank you for listening. Now let us go find some gelato. Luna: Yes! But first, I need to find the nearest shop. Scusi, dov'è la pasticceria? Lucas: I mean... Vado dritto. And then Giri a destra. Luna: Grazie mille, Lucas. See you next time. Lucas: Bye for now.