In this workshop you will practice hearing and saying three important Spanish direction words: derecha (right), izquierda (left), and derecho (straight ahead). You will listen to short commands and a mini dialogue, then take both roles yourself. The goal is to recognize the direction word first, then the landmark, so you can follow or give simple directions with confidence.
Hear the direction word first
When someone gives you directions in Spanish, the direction word often comes early. Listen for derecha, izquierda, or derecho before you worry about the rest. «Doble a la derecha.» means Turn right. «Doble a la izquierda.» means Turn left. «Siga derecho.» means Go straight ahead. Notice that derecho means straight ahead, not right. Derecha is the word for right. Practice saying each command aloud, keeping the stress on the bold syllable: doh-BLEH ah lah deh-REH-chah, doh-BLEH ah lah ees-KYER-dah, SEE-gah deh-REH-choh. In Latin America, the z in izquierda sounds like s; in most of Spain it sounds like th.
Add a landmark after en or después de
A direction often includes a place after the word en or después de. «Doble a la derecha en el banco.» means Turn right at the bank. The landmark comes after en, so listen for the direction first, then the place. In the dialogue, one speaker asks «Disculpe, ¿cómo llego al banco?» which means Excuse me, how do I get to the bank? The other replies «Siga derecho dos cuadras y doble a la derecha en el banco.» meaning Go straight two blocks and turn right at the bank. The first speaker checks: «¿Derecho dos cuadras y luego a la derecha?» meaning Straight two blocks and then right? The reply is «Sí, exacto. El banco está a la izquierda del semáforo.» meaning Yes, exactly. The bank is on the left of the traffic light. Notice that a la izquierda here describes where the bank is, not a turn.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Doble a la derecha.
Turn right.
DOH-bleh ah lah deh-REH-chah
Doble a la izquierda.
Turn left.
DOH-bleh ah lah ees-KYER-dah
Siga derecho.
Go straight ahead.
SEE-gah deh-REH-choh
Doble a la derecha en el banco.
Turn right at the bank.
DOH-bleh ah lah deh-REH-chah en el BAHN-koh
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Disculpe, ¿cómo llego al banco?
Excuse me, how do I get to the bank?Siga derecho dos cuadras y doble a la derecha en el banco.
Go straight two blocks and turn right at the bank.¿Derecho dos cuadras y luego a la derecha?
Straight two blocks and then right?Sí, exacto. El banco está a la izquierda del semáforo.
Yes, exactly. The bank is on the left of the traffic light.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 answer
You will play both roles of a short exchange. First, listen to the recording of the question «Disculpe, ¿cómo llego al banco?» and repeat it aloud. Then listen to the answer «Siga derecho dos cuadras y doble a la derecha en el banco.» and repeat it aloud.
Your task: Now say the question yourself, then say the answer yourself. Do this twice. Focus on saying derecho clearly in the answer, not derecha. After you finish, check your answer below.
Reply comprehension: choose the correct meaning
Listen to the recording «Sí, exacto. El banco está a la izquierda del semáforo.» You will hear a confirmation and a location. The speaker says the bank is on the left of the traffic light.
Your task: Choose the correct meaning: A) The bank is on the right of the traffic light. B) The bank is on the left of the traffic light. C) Turn left at the bank. Say your choice aloud, then say the full Spanish sentence. Check your answer below.
Recall with correct roles
You will now recall the dialogue from memory. One person asks for directions to the bank. The other gives directions: go straight two blocks, turn right at the bank, and says the bank is on the left of the traffic light.
Your task: Say the question in Spanish, then say the full answer in Spanish. Do not look at the text. If you get stuck, listen to the recordings again and try once more. Check your answer below.
Common questions
What is the difference between derecho and derecha?
Derecho means straight ahead, as in «Siga derecho.» Derecha means right, as in «Doble a la derecha.» Listen for the ending: -o in derecho, -a in derecha. The meaning changes completely, so practice both aloud.
How can I tell if a direction is a turn or a location?
A turn usually uses doble, as in «Doble a la derecha.» A location often uses está, as in «El banco está a la izquierda del semáforo.» The verb helps you know if someone is telling you to turn or telling you where something is.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: understanding directionsChecked September 2026
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