Compilation of the most common vocabulary for directions in English

Directions - Pronunciation - Abbreviations

Example

North /norθ/ (N)

The compass needle points to the north. 

Northeast /ˌnorth:east/ (NE)

They live in the northeast corner of the city. 

Northwest /ˌnɔrθˈwɛst/ (NW)

The weather is colder in the northwest region of the country. 

To the north /tuː ðə nɔrθ/

If you travel to the north, you'll reach the mountains. 

South /saʊθ/ (S)

The sun sets in the south during this time of year. 

Southeast /ˌsaʊθˈi:st/ (SE)

The storm is coming from the southeast, so be prepared for heavy rain.

Southwest /ˌsaʊθˈwɛst/ (SW)

They decided to go on a road trip to the southwest for a change of scenery. 

To the south /tuː ðə saʊθ/

To escape the cold weather, they moved to a city to the south. 

East /i:st/ (E)

The sun rises in the east every morning. 

To the east /tuː ðə i:st/

If you walk to the east, you'll find the beach. 

West /west/ (W)

The city is located just west of the river. 

To the west /tuː ðə west/

They planned to explore the forests to the west during their camping trip. 

Part of speech

Vocabulary related to directions in English

Example

Preposition/ adverb

In the middle of = In the center of

The fountain is in the center of the town square. 

Just beyond = A little beyond = Just past

The house is just beyond the tall oak tree.

Inside

Please wait for me inside the restaurant; I'll join you shortly.

Outside

It's a beautiful day; let's have lunch outside in the garden. 

To the left of

The bakery is to the left of the school. 

To the right of

The playground is to the right of the community center. 

Verb

Go up

To reach the summit, you need to go up the mountain trail. 

Go down

To enter the storage room, you need to go down these basement stairs. 

Start by

To reach the supermarket, start by going along the High Street road, then turn right. It is located near the hospital. 

Preposition/ adverb

Near

The bus stop is near the school, making it convenient for students. 

In front of

The statue is in front of the city hall. 

Next to

The bookstore is next to the flower shop. 

Beside

There's a small park beside the school. 

Across from

The post office is across from the train station. 

Between

The grocery store is between the pharmacy and the bakery. 

Verb

Turn right

At the intersection, turn right to reach the museum. 

Turn left

After the traffic light, turn left onto King Street. 

Go/ carry straight on

Continue to go straight on until you see the blue building on your right. 

Go past

Go past the supermarket, and you'll find the gas station on your left.

Preposition/ adverb

Left-hand side

The entrance is on the left-hand side of the building. 

Right-hand side

The parking lot is on the right-hand side of the shopping mall.

On the other side

Cross the bridge to find the trail on the other side of the river. 

Opposite

The library is opposite the school. 

Adjoining

The two rooms are adjoining, making it easy to move between them. 

Alongside

The bike path runs alongside the river for several miles. 

Verb

Is located = Is situated = Lies  = There is = Is

The new shopping mall is located in the heart of the city. 

Run through = Pass through = Go through = Go across = Cross = Pass over = Cut across

To get to the park, run through the meadow and cross the small bridge. 

Noun

Crossroad = Intersection = Junction

Be cautious at the crossroad and watch for oncoming traffic. 

Housing area = Residential area 

The housing area is surrounded by parks and schools.

Entrance = Doorway

Please use the side entrance; the main doorway is under construction.

Path = Way = Road

Follow the path through the woods to reach the hidden waterfall. 

Roundabout

Take the second exit at the roundabout to reach the shopping district.

Area = Field = Zone

Some areas of the country will have some rain tonight. 

Site = Place = Location

The researchers made an exciting discovery at the archeological site on the outskirts of the city. 

Edge = Boundary = End = Fringe

The thatched house is located at the edge of the forest, providing a peaceful retreat.

Structure

Example

Excuse me, where is _______?

• A: Excuse me, where is the post office? 
• B: The post office is two blocks down this street, on the left. 

Excuse me, how do I get to _______?

• A: Excuse me, how do I get to the museum? 
• B: To get to the museum, go straight ahead, turn left at the traffic light, and it will be on your right. 

Excuse me, is there _______  near here?

• A: Excuse me, is there a pharmacy near here? 
• B: Yes, there's a pharmacy just around the corner, next to the grocery store. 

What’s the way to_______?

• A: What's the way to the train station? 
• B: The train station is straight ahead, about a 10-minute walk from here. 

Where’s _______? or Where’s + _______+ located?

• A: Where’s the library located? 
• B: The library is located on Maple Street, right across from the city park. 

Is there a _______ around here?

• A: Is there a coffee shop around here? 
• B: Certainly! There's a pretty coffee shop just a block away from this intersection. 

Can you help me? I'm looking for _______

• A: Can you help me? I'm looking for the town hall. 
• B: Of course! The town hall is on the right-hand side of the street, just behind the park. 

Could you tell me the way to _______, please?

• A: Could you tell me the way to the hospital, please? 
• B: To reach the hospital, go down this street, turn right at the second traffic light, and it will be on your left. 

Could you tell me how to get to _______, please?

• A: Could you tell me how to get to the airport, please? 
• B: To get to the airport, take the highway entrance on the left, and follow the signs for the airport. 

What's the best way to go to ________?

• A: What's the best way to go to the shopping district? 
• B: The best way to the shopping district is to take the bus from the stop across the street. 

Can you give me directions to _______?

• A: Can you give me directions to the theater? 
• B: Sure! Walk straight for two blocks, then turn left, and you'll find the theater on your right. 

What’s the quickest way to get to _______?

• A: What's the fastest way to get to the stadium?
• B: The fastest way to the stadium is to take the subway; the station is just around the corner. 

What’s the most convenient way to get to _______?

• A: What’s the most convenient way to get to the park? 
• B: The most convenient way to get to the park is to follow this path behind the school; it will lead you directly there.