How to Ask Directions in Spanish to any Site in any City with Just Seven Words (Video)


In this video/dialogue, we go to the streets of Madrid, Spain. I’m going to show you how you can ask directions to any site in any city with just 3 questions, made of 7 words.

Question #1: Dónde está..? Where is…? then say where you want to go

In this example, I’m looking for "the metro stop, Opera" or "la parada de metro, Opera". So I’m going to ask, “Dónde está la parada de metro, Opera.

Me: Señor, discúlpeme. Dónde está la parada de metro, Opera?

Man: [he points]


Me: Sir, excuse me. Where is the metro stop, Opera?

Man: [he points]

"Señor, discúlpeme."–what I said at the very beginning–that’s just a typical greeting (which I teach in the Greetings & Being Polite lesson).

More importantly, did you notice their answer doesn’t matter? They both pointed when I asked "Dónde está..?"

They always do that. Most of the time they’ll point with their finger. Once in a while, they’ll do it with their eyes, or the direction they turn their face. But they always point.

And when I say always, I mean it. Check this out.

As you can see, in all those examples, each and every person clearly pointed after I asked: "Dónde está …?"

Now they know where you want go, and they’ve just pointed in the general direction you need to walk. At this point, they’ll probably be firing dozens of words at you, of which you’ll understand zero. Maybe one.

Don’t worry about anything they say that you don’t understand–just ignore it all.

Question #2: Esa dirección? That direction?

In as polite a fashion as possible, basically cut them off if they’re speaking (don’t worry about it if they’re not) and point in the same direction they pointed, asking "Esa dirección?"

Esa dirección?  =  That direction?

Man: [he points]

Me: Esa dirección?

Man: Sí! Sí!


Man: [he points]

Me: That direction?

Man: Yes! Yes!

As you saw, once I asked "Esa dirección?" he immediately said "Sí! Sí!" which obviously means "Yes! Yes!"

Don’t worry, seeing which way they point, and then pointing the same way happens instinctively–totally automatically.

If you ever do get a "No." (though I’ve never seen it happen) just pick a different direction and ask "Esa Dirección?" until you get the "Sí!"

While you could argue that this question isn’t necessary because they already pointed, it’s best to ask this second question for several reasons. Not only does it confirm which way you need to walk, but it sets you up perfectly for Question #3.

At this point, you know for sure which direction you need to walk. But wouldn’t it be nice to know how far you need to go? Are we talking 2 minutes? 15 minutes? A half hour?

Question #3: Cuántos minutos andando?

Cuántos minutos andando?  =  How many minutes walking?

Man: Cuántos minutos andando?

Me: Cuatro, cinco.

Man: Cuatro, cinco?

Man: Sí.


Man: How many minutes walking?

Me: Four, five.

Man: Four, five?

Man: Yes.

As you see, this is really easy. You ask them "Cuántos minutos andando?" and they’ll say a number. Just ignore anything you don’t understand and look for that number. You then simply repeat the number to make sure you heard it correctly and go on your merry way.

That’s it. Just three easy questions really will get you everywhere you need to go.

Question #1: Dónde está…?

Question #2: Esa dirección?

Question #3: Cuántos minutos andando?

Let’s take a look at the whole thing together now.

Me: Señor, discúlpeme. Dónde está la parada de metro, Opera?

Man: [he points]

Me: Esa dirección?

Man: Sí! Sí!

Me: Cuántos minutos andando?

Man: Cuatro, cinco.

Me: Cuatro, cinco?

Man: Sí.


Me: Sir, excuse me. Where is the metro stop, Opera?

Man: [he points]

Me: That direction?

Man: Yes! Yes!

Me: How many minutes walking?

Man: Four, five.

Me: Four, five?

Man: Yes.

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