11.3 Asking for and Giving Directions
This module focuses on learning how to ask for and give directions in Japanese, essential for navigating and communicating effectively during your travels in Japan.
Introduction to direction-related words
In Japanese, directions are expressed using specific words for cardinal directions and other directional concepts:
Basic words
1. 東 （ひがし: higashi） – east
2. 西 （にし: nishi） – west
3. 南 （みなみ: minami） – south
4. 北 （きた: kita）– north
5. 左 （ひだり: hidari） – left
6. 右 （みぎ: migi） – right
7. 前 （まえ: mae） – front
8. 後ろ （うしろ: ushiro） – behind
Additional words
9. 入り口 （いりぐち: iri-guchi） – entrance
10. 出口 （でぐち: de-guchi） – exit
11. 東口 （ひがしぐち: higashi-guchi） – east entrance/exit
12. 西口 （にしぐち: nishi-guchi） – west entrance/exit
13. 南口 （みなみぐち: minami-guchi） – south entrance/exit
14. 北口 （きたぐち: kita-guchi） – north entrance/exit
15. 左手 (ひだりて: hidari-te) – left hand / left-hand side
16. 右手 (みぎて: migi-te) – right hand / right-hand side
Usage in sentences
These words are essential when discussing directions and locations.
1. Asking for directions
When you want to ask where something is, use these polite phrases:
Simple, direct version:
すみません。X はどこですか。
Sumimasen. X wa doko desu ka.
Excuse me. Where is X?
More nuanced, indirect version:
すみません。X に行（い）きたいんですが …。
Sumimasen. X ni iki taiin desu ga …
Excuse me. I would like to go to X, but (I don’t know how to get there).
If you’re asking for directions to a well-known public place, it’s enough to use the first simple, direct version to ask where it is. If you think the place is less known, you might prefer to use the more indirect version. However, the first question is still polite and perfectly suitable for beginners to use when asking for directions!
To use these expressions, simply replace X with the specific place you want to go to. Now, let’s practise asking for directions using these expressions:
2. Giving directions
While asking for directions is common in unfamiliar places, knowing how to give directions in Japanese is equally valuable. Understanding these phrases will help you both when giving and receiving directions.
Here are some straightforward and practical phrases frequently used to guide someone to a location. The te-form of verbs is particularly useful for describing a sequence of actions. Below are some example sentences incorporating these expressions:
Key phrase 1:
… をまっすぐ行ってください。
… o massugu itte kudasai.
Please go straight …
Example:
ここをまっすぐ行ってください。
Koko o massugu itte kudasai.
Please go straight here.
Key phrase 2:
… に 曲（ま）がってください。
… ni magatte kudasai.
Please turn …
Example:
まっすぐ行って、左（ひだり）に曲（ま）がってください。
Massugu itte, hidari ni magatte kudasai.
Please go straight, and then turn left.
NOTE: To say ‘please turn right’, simply replace 左（ひだり: hidari) with 右 (みぎ: migi).
Key phrase 3:
… を渡（わた）ってください。
… o watatte kudasai.
Please cross ….
Example:
信号（しんごう）を右に曲がって、交差点（こうさてん）を渡ってください。
Shingou o migi ni magatte, kousaten o watatte kudasai.
Please turn right at the traffic light and then cross the intersection.
信号 （しんごう: shingou: traffic light）
交差点（こうさてん: kousaten: intersection）
Key phrase 4:
Y に X があります。
Y ni X ga ari masu.
There is a/an X to/on Y.
Example:
ここをまっすぐ行ってください。左手（ひだりて）に銀行（ぎんこう）があります。
Koko o massugu itte kudasai. Hidari-te ni ginkou ga arimasu.
Please go straight this way. There’s a bank to/on your left.
NOTE: In Japanese, 左手 (ひだりて: hidari-te) means ‘left hand’ or ‘left-hand side’, and 右手 (みぎて: migi-te) means ‘right hand’ or ‘right-hand side’. These terms are commonly used when giving directions to indicate the side of the road or path where a landmark or destination is located. For instance, 左手にあります (hidari-te ni arimasu) means ‘it’s on the left-hand side’, while 右手にあります (migi-te ni arimasu) means ‘it’s on the right-hand side’.
Exercise 2
