Give And Ask For Directions In German: #1 Easy Guide

You’re in a new place where they speak a totally foreign language. What do you do if you’re lost?! We understand the confusion and fear you may feel in that situation, which is why we created this guide to teach you how to give and ask for directions in German.

Let’s take a look at the words and phrases that will help you get around the beautiful nation of Germany, or another nearby German-speaking country, with confidence.

 

Why Should I Learn How To Give And Ask For Directions In German?

German isn’t the only German-speaking country! Nope! In fact, German is the official language of Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. So be sure to bookmark this page to help you with your travels in these nations too.

Knowing directional terms and how to ask for directions in German will make your travel less stressful and more efficient. It can also help you save money. How? Well, what if you miss your train and need to buy a new ticket? That would be a pain.

Asking for directions in German will also help you reach those fantastic places you have on your bucket list on time so you can explore to your heart’s delight.

 

Top 5 Sites To Visit In Germany

give directions in German
  1. Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg
  2. Europa Park, Rust
  3. The town of Rothenburg
  4. Neuschwanstein Castle, Schwangau
  5. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

 

Giving Directions In German

Are you an avid traveler who enjoys exploring every possible corner of a new city or country? Or, is this your first time abroad in a foreign country? No matter your reason for traveling, if your next destination is Germany, then you need to learn German and essential German vocabulary, this includes giving directions in German.

If you’ve ever gotten lost in another country, then you know that it’s not fun! Not being able to reach your hotel or condo can be scary, especially if it’s getting dark. If you’re planning on traveling to Germany, you should familiarize yourself with directions in German beforehand, that way you’re able to understand others when they’re talking to you or, even better, you can give other directions if they ask!

German Direction Words

give and ask for directions in German

Here are some essential direction words to know in German!

Prepositions

EnglishGermanPronunciation
Across fromGegenüber von
Across the streetÜber die Straße
Around the cornerUm die Ecke
Before the…Vor dem…
BehindHinter
BetweenZwischen
DownstairsUnten
In front ofVor dem
InsideInnen
NearbyIn der Nähe
On the…Auf dem…
On top ofAuf
OutsideAußen
Past the…Vorbei an…
StraightGerade
Straight aheadGeradeaus
Towards the…In Richtung der…
Turn leftnach links
Turn rightnach rechts
UpstairsNach oben

Compass terms to help with reading maps and directions:

EnglishGermanPronunciation
Eastder ost
Northder nord
Southder süd
Westder west

Asking For Directions In German

ask for directions in German

Here are some useful questions you can ask the locals to help you get around and avoid getting lost. It also might be useful to know how to introduce yourself and don’t forget to say thank you!

I’m lostich bin verloren

Please show me on the map Bitte zeigen Sie es mir auf der Karte

English QuestionGerman QuestionPronunciation
Can you help me?Kannst du mir helfen?
Can you show me?Kannst du mir zeigen?
How do I get to…?wie komme ich zu/ Wie komme ich nach…?
How do I get there?wie komme ich dorthin?
How long does it take to get there?Wie lange dauert es, um dorthin zu gelangen?
Is it close to here?Ist es hier in der Nähe?
Is it far from here?ist es weit?/Ist es weit weg von hier?
Where are the stairs?Wo sind die Treppen?
Where can I find…?Wo kann ich finden…?
Where is…?Wo ist…?
Where is the bathroom?Wo ist die Toilette?
Where is the train station?Wo ist der Bahnhof?
Which direction is it?Welche Richtung ist es?
Where are you going?Wo gehst du hin?
Where are we?wo sind wir?
Where are we going?wohin gehen wir?

 

Useful Apps That Can Help You When You Are Lost!

find directions in German

Here are some apps that are favored in Germany to help you get around.

  1. DB Navigator – this is a helpful navigation tool when planning train journeys. You can see routes and where stations are located. You can also purchase tickets.
  2. BVG Fahrinfo-App – helps you get from A to B quickly and affordably. This app shows travel routes and the best modes of transportation to get there.
  3. Waze– operates similarly to Google Maps except will show you where any travel pain points will be or delays that may hinder your travel plans.
  4. Google Maps – is probably the most well-known navigation app, it will be your best friend in finding the places on your travel list

 

Navigate Your Way In Germany With The Ling App

Ready to explore Germany? Learning German with Ling App will help you to speak German like a pro in no time at all!

Equipped with games, interactive quizzes, and highly effective lessons, everything that you need to learn a new language is right at your fingertips! Ling is a gamified language tool that allows you to learn the language of your choice; in a fun and easy way.

We have over 70 languages to choose from including German.

Learn German with Ling

All of our languages have been verified and lessons created with the help of native speakers, so you can be certain what you’re learning is correct. Whether you want to learn how to speak German, be fluent in French, or even in Albanian, the Ling App is here to help.

Download the Ling App today and get started with learning languages now. Available on Google Play and the Apple Store.

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