Directions

1. Come si arriva al Colosseo?

   How do you get to the Colosseum?

   Usage

   Used to ask for directions to the Colosseum or other major Roman landmarks

   Grammar Note

   "Si arriva" is impersonal. Swap: "Come si arriva alla stazione?" (How do you get to the station?)

2. Giri a destra

   Turn right

   Usage

   Used when giving or receiving directions to turn right

   Grammar Note

   Also essential: "Giri a sinistra" (turn left), "Vada dritto" (go straight ahead)

3. È a due isolati da qui

   It's two blocks from here

   Usage

   Used to describe distance in city blocks

   Grammar Note

   "Isolato" means city block. Also: "a pochi passi" (a few steps away), "a un chilometro" (about a kilometer)

4. È lontano da qui?

   Is it far from here?

   Usage

   Used to gauge whether a destination is within walking distance

   Grammar Note

   "È vicino" is the opposite (it's close). Also: "Ci si può andare a piedi?" (Can you walk there?)

5. Prenda la metro linea A

   Take metro line A

   Usage

   Used to give transit directions via Rome's or Milan's metro

   Grammar Note

   Swap transport: "Prenda l'autobus" (take the bus), "Prenda un taxi" (take a taxi)

6. È proprio di fronte

   It's right across the street

   Usage

   Simple phrase to indicate something is directly across from you

   Grammar Note

   Combine with "a": "di fronte alla chiesa" (across from the church) for more specific directions

7. Scusi, mi sono perso/a

   Excuse me, I got lost

   Usage

   Used to get someone's attention when you're lost and need help

   Grammar Note

   "Perdersi" is a reflexive verb (to get lost). Past: "mi sono perso" (male) / "mi sono persa" (female)

8. Può indicarmelo sulla mappa?

   Can you point it out on the map?

   Usage

   Used when verbal directions are unclear and you need someone to point on a map

   Grammar Note

   "Indicarmelo" combines indicare + mi + lo. Show your map app when asking this for clarity

9. Quanto ci vuole a piedi?

   How long does it take on foot?

   Usage

   Used to estimate walking time to a destination

   Grammar Note

   "Volerci" = to take (time/effort), impersonal. Swap transport: "in macchina" (by car), "in metro" (by metro)

10. È proprio dietro l'angolo

    It's right around the corner

    Usage

    Used to indicate something is very close, just past the nearest corner

    Grammar Note

    "Dietro l'angolo" is idiomatic for "just around the corner". Pair with "Giri all'angolo" (turn the corner)

11. A destra

    Right

    Usage

    Show the direction in one word, in a taxi or on foot

12. A sinistra

    Left

    Usage

    Show the direction in one word, in a taxi or on foot

13. Sempre dritto

    Straight ahead

    Usage

    Short enough to be read at a glance while driving

14. Indietro

    Back / turn around

    Usage

    Show this when you have gone too far and need to turn back

15. Si fermi qui

    Stop here

    Usage

    Show this to a taxi driver to be let out; polite "Lei" form

16. La fermata dell'autobus

    Bus stop

    Usage

    Point at this to ask for the nearest bus stop

17. La metropolitana

    Subway / metro

    Usage

    The metro; signs and speech usually shorten it to "metro"

18. L'ambasciata

    Embassy

    Usage

    Point at this if you lose your passport; the Japanese embassy is "ambasciata del Giappone"

19. Il bancomat

    ATM

    Usage

    The Italian word for a cash machine; it also means the debit card itself, so mime withdrawing cash

20. L'ufficio di cambio

    Currency exchange

    Usage

    A street exchange counter rather than a bank; signs read "CAMBIO"

21. La lavanderia a gettoni

    Self-service laundry

    Usage

    A coin-operated launderette, not the staffed "lavanderia" dry cleaner

22. Nord

    North

    Usage

    Used when checking a map or compass direction

23. Sud

    South

    Usage

    Used when checking a map or compass direction

24. Est

    East

    Usage

    Used when checking a map or compass direction

25. Ovest

    West

    Usage

    Used when checking a map or compass direction

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