In this workshop, you will practice asking for directions in Spanish using polite indirect questions. You will also listen to short replies and choose the correct meaning. The recordings give you clear models to repeat and adapt. You do not need to invent new phrases; you will use the exact lines provided. This helps you build confidence and sound natural when you need help finding a place.
Polite Questions with 'Podría' and 'Sabe'
To ask politely, you can start with 'Disculpe' to get attention. Then use a question like «¿Podría decirme dónde está la estación?», which means 'Could you tell me where the station is?' Another polite option is «¿Sabe usted dónde queda el banco?», meaning 'Do you know where the bank is?' Notice that both use a form of 'poder' or 'saber' followed by 'dónde está' or 'dónde queda'. These phrases work well with strangers. Practice saying them slowly, then a bit faster. The pronunciation guide in the recordings can help you with stress and rhythm.
Asking About How to Get Somewhere
Sometimes you need to ask how to reach a place, not just where it is. The line «¿Me puede decir cómo llegar al centro?» means 'Can you tell me how to get to downtown?' It uses 'cómo llegar' (how to arrive/get). This is friendly but still polite. If you are looking for a bus stop, you can say «Disculpe, ¿sabe dónde está la parada del autobús?», which means 'Excuse me, do you know where the bus stop is?' Remember to start with 'Disculpe' when you approach someone. These questions are useful in many everyday situations.
Understanding a Short Reply
When someone answers, they may give simple directions. For example, after you ask «Disculpe, ¿podría decirme dónde está la estación de tren?», which means 'Excuse me, could you tell me where the train station is?', the other person might reply with «Sí, claro. Siga derecho dos cuadras y luego doble a la izquierda.»: 'Yes, of course. Go straight for two blocks and then turn left.' Here 'Siga derecho' means 'Go straight' and 'doble a la izquierda' means 'turn left'. You might also ask if it is far, as in «¿Y sabe si está lejos de aquí?»: 'And do you know if it's far from here?' A possible answer is «No, está cerca. A unas cinco cuadras.»: 'No, it's close. About five blocks away.' Notice that 'cerca' means 'close' and 'lejos' means 'far'.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
¿Podría decirme dónde está la estación?
Could you tell me where the station is?
POH-dree-ah deh-SEER-meh DOHN-deh es-TAH lah es-tah-SYOHN
¿Sabe usted dónde queda el banco?
Do you know where the bank is?
SAH-beh oos-TED DOHN-deh KEH-dah el BAHN-koh
¿Me puede decir cómo llegar al centro?
Can you tell me how to get to downtown?
meh PWEH-deh deh-SEER KOH-moh yeh-GAR al SEN-troh
Disculpe, ¿sabe dónde está la parada del autobús?
Excuse me, do you know where the bus stop is?
dees-KOOL-peh SAH-beh DOHN-deh es-TAH lah pah-RAH-dah del ow-toh-BOOS
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Disculpe, ¿podría decirme dónde está la estación de tren?
Excuse me, could you tell me where the train station is?Sí, claro. Siga derecho dos cuadras y luego doble a la izquierda.
Yes, of course. Go straight for two blocks and then turn left.¿Y sabe si está lejos de aquí?
And do you know if it's far from here?No, está cerca. A unas cinco cuadras.
No, it's close. About five blocks away.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 for the Train Station
Imagine you are near a train station but cannot find it. You see a friendly stranger. You will play the person asking for help. Use the recording to guide your question.
Your task: First, listen to «Disculpe, ¿podría decirme dónde está la estación de tren?» and repeat it aloud. Then, imagine the stranger replies with «Sí, claro. Siga derecho dos cuadras y luego doble a la izquierda.». Read the reply aloud. Finally, ask the follow-up question from «¿Y sabe si está lejos de aquí?» and imagine the answer from «No, está cerca. A unas cinco cuadras.». Practice the whole exchange twice.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Correct Meaning
You will hear a short reply and choose what it means. This checks if you understand common direction words like 'derecho', 'izquierda', 'cerca', and 'lejos'.
Your task: Listen to «Sí, claro. Siga derecho dos cuadras y luego doble a la izquierda.» again. Does it mean: (a) Go straight for two blocks and turn left, or (b) Turn right and go straight for two blocks? Then listen to «No, está cerca. A unas cinco cuadras.». Does it mean: (a) It is far, about five blocks, or (b) It is close, about five blocks? Say your answers aloud.
Recall and Role-Play: Ask and Answer
Now you will practice both roles. First, you are the person asking for directions. Then, you are the person giving directions. Use only the lines from the recordings.
Your task: Start by saying the question from «Disculpe, ¿podría decirme dónde está la estación de tren?». Then, switch roles and say the reply from «Sí, claro. Siga derecho dos cuadras y luego doble a la izquierda.». Next, ask the follow-up from «¿Y sabe si está lejos de aquí?» and give the answer from «No, está cerca. A unas cinco cuadras.». Do this without looking at the text if possible.
Common questions
What is the difference between '¿Podría decirme...?' and '¿Sabe usted...?'
'¿Podría decirme...?' means 'Could you tell me...?' and is very polite. '¿Sabe usted...?' means 'Do you know...?' and is also polite. Both are good with strangers. 'Podría' is slightly more formal.
How do I know if someone says 'a la derecha' or 'a la izquierda'?
'A la derecha' means 'to the right' and 'a la izquierda' means 'to the left'. In the recording «Sí, claro. Siga derecho dos cuadras y luego doble a la izquierda.», you hear 'doble a la izquierda', which means 'turn left'. Listen for the 'iz' sound in 'izquierda' to help you remember.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: indirect questions asking directionsChecked September 2026
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