Asking for and Giving Directions

In this lesson, you'll learn how to ask for and give directions while picking up words for location and position.

To ask the way, you'll often use '어떻게 가요? (eotteoke gayo?)', meaning 'How do I get there?'.

지하철역이 어디에 있어요?

Jihacheollyeogi eodie isseoyo?

Where is the subway station?

은행에 어떻게 가요?

Eunhaenge eotteoke gayo?

How do I get to the bank?

똑바로 가세요.

Ttokbaro gaseyo.

Go straight ahead.

저기에서 오른쪽으로 가세요.

Jeogieseo oreunjjogeuro gaseyo.

Turn right over there.

편의점은 은행 건너편에 있어요.

Pyeonuijeomeun eunhaeng geonneopyeone isseoyo.

The convenience store is across from the bank.

여기에서 가까워요?

Yeogieseo gakkawoyo?

Is it close to here?

걸어서 십 분쯤 걸려요.

Georeoseo sip bunjjeum geollyeoyo.

It takes about ten minutes on foot.

첫 번째 골목에서 왼쪽으로 도세요.

Cheot beonjjae golmogeseo oenjjogeuro doseyo.

Turn left at the first alley.

저도 여기가 처음이에요.

Jeodo yeogiga cheoeumieyo.

I'm new to this area too.

Ask about distance with '멀어요? (Is it far?)' or '가까워요? (Is it close?)', and ask how long it takes with '얼마나 걸려요? (How long does it take?)'.

When asking a stranger for directions, it's best to open with '실례합니다 (Excuse me)'; phrasing your question as '~어디에 있어요?' makes it sound gentler.

💡 Tip: If you're unsure, you can politely say '잘 모르겠어요 (jal moreugesseoyo)' to mean 'I'm not sure'.