In this workshop you will practice a short, realistic exchange about finding the station. You will learn how to get a stranger's attention politely, ask where something is, understand three common direction words, and ask someone to repeat. You will also practice checking whether a place is far. Each native line is given with its English meaning before you use it, so you always know what you are saying and hearing. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic scoring, so use the answer keys to check yourself honestly.
Starting the conversation politely
To stop a stranger and ask a question, begin with a polite opening. The line «Scusi, dov'è la stazione?» means 'Excuse me, where is the station?' The word for 'excuse me' here is polite and works with people you do not know. The question word contracts with the verb 'is' to make the smooth sound in the middle. Say the whole line slowly at first, then at a natural speed. Keep your voice calm and friendly, and make eye contact briefly. If you are unsure how to pronounce it, listen to the recording and copy the rhythm rather than reading it letter by letter.
Understanding the three core directions
Three short phrases cover most simple directions. «A sinistra.» means 'on the left' or 'to the left'. «A destra.» means 'on the right' or 'to the right'. «Sempre dritto.» means 'straight ahead', and it tells you to keep going without turning. Notice that the first two use the same small word before the direction, and the third uses a word meaning 'always' to suggest continuing. When you hear a direction, picture the movement in your head: left, right, or forward. If you only catch one word, you can still act on it or ask for a repeat.
Asking for a repeat and checking distance
If the answer comes too fast, you can ask the person to say it again. «Può ripetere, per favore?» means 'Can you repeat, please?' The first word is a polite form of 'can you', and the last two words mean 'please'. After the person repeats, you may want to know if the place is far. «Grazie. È lontano?» means 'Thank you. Is it far?' The second part is a simple yes-or-no question about distance. A common answer is «No, cinque minuti a piedi.», which means 'No, five minutes on foot.' This tells you the place is close and walkable. Listen for the number and the phrase for 'on foot'.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Scusi, dov'è la stazione?
Excuse me, where is the station?
SKOO-zee, doh-VEH lah stah-TSYOH-neh
A sinistra.
On the left / to the left.
ah see-NEES-trah
A destra.
On the right / to the right.
ah DEHS-trah
Sempre dritto.
Straight ahead.
SEHM-preh DREET-toh
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Scusi, dov'è la stazione?
Excuse me, where is the station?Sempre dritto, poi a destra.
Straight ahead, then right.Può ripetere, per favore?
Can you repeat, please?Sì. Sempre dritto, poi a destra.
Yes. Straight ahead, then right.Grazie. È lontano?
Thank you. Is it far?No, cinque minuti a piedi.
No, five minutes on foot.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: ask and follow the route
Imagine you are a visitor in a town and you need to find the station. You will play the person asking. A recorded voice will play the person answering. Use the lines you have learned.
Your task: First, say the polite question from «Scusi, dov'è la stazione?» out loud. Then listen to the answer «Sempre dritto, poi a destra.», which means 'Straight ahead, then right.' After you hear it, say the request for a repeat from «Può ripetere, per favore?». Listen to the repeated answer «Sì. Sempre dritto, poi a destra.», which means 'Yes. Straight ahead, then right.' Finally, say the thank-you and distance question from «Grazie. È lontano?». Check your pronunciation against the recordings.
Reply comprehension: choose the correct direction
You will hear three short direction lines. For each one, decide whether it means left, right, or straight ahead. This checks that you can recognize the words when you hear them, not just read them.
Your task: Listen to «A sinistra.», «A destra.», and «Sempre dritto.» in any order. After each line, say or write 'left', 'right', or 'straight ahead'. Do not look at the text while you listen. If you are unsure, replay the line once before answering.
Recall and role swap: give the full route
Now you will recall the whole exchange without reading. Imagine you are the local person giving directions to a visitor. You will hear the visitor's lines and respond with the correct lines in the correct order.
Your task: Listen to the recorded question «Scusi, dov'è la stazione?». Answer with the route from «Sempre dritto, poi a destra.». When you hear the request to repeat «Può ripetere, per favore?», respond with the full repeated route from «Sì. Sempre dritto, poi a destra.». When you hear the distance question «Grazie. È lontano?», answer with «No, cinque minuti a piedi.». Try to do this without looking at the text.
Common questions
What is the difference between 'a sinistra' and 'a destra'?
«A sinistra.» means 'on the left' or 'to the left', and «A destra.» means 'on the right' or 'to the right'. The small word before each direction is the same, so focus on the direction word itself. If you hear the first one, turn or look left; if you hear the second, turn or look right.
How do I ask someone to repeat directions if I did not understand?
Use «Può ripetere, per favore?», which means 'Can you repeat, please?' It is polite and works in most situations. After the person repeats, you can thank them and ask if the place is far using «Grazie. È lontano?». A common answer is «No, cinque minuti a piedi.», meaning 'No, five minutes on foot.'
Sources and further reading
- italian: ask for directionsChecked September 2026
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