Learn 38 city locations and direction words in Spanish with audio pronunciation.
la calle
street
la avenida
avenue
la plaza
square / plaza
el edificio
building
el parque
park
el puente
bridge
la esquina
corner
la acera
sidewalk
el semáforo
traffic light
el cruce
intersection
la fuente
fountain
el barrio
neighborhood
¿Cómo llego a...? (How do I get to...?) and ¿Dónde está...? (Where is...?) are the two essential phrases. You can also say ¿Me puede indicar cómo ir a...? for a more polite version. Listen for key direction words in the response.
el hospital
hospital
la farmacia
pharmacy
el banco
bank
la iglesia
church
el museo
museum
la biblioteca
library
el supermercado
supermarket
la gasolinera
gas station
la comisaría
police station
el ayuntamiento
city hall
la estación de tren
train station
la oficina de correos
post office
The most useful: al lado de (next to), enfrente de (across from), entre (between), cerca de (near), lejos de (far from). These all use de before the noun: al lado de la iglesia (next to the church).
a la derecha
to the right
a la izquierda
to the left
todo recto / todo derecho
straight ahead
girar
to turn
cruzar
to cross
seguir
to continue / follow
al lado de
next to
enfrente de
in front of / across from
detrás de
behind
entre
between
cerca de
near / close to
lejos de
far from
la primera calle
the first street
la segunda calle
the second street
You will hear informal commands: gira a la derecha (turn right), sigue todo recto (go straight), cruza la calle (cross the street). With usted: gire, siga, cruce.
1. What does 'la esquina' mean?
2. How do you say 'turn right'?
3. What does 'enfrente de' mean?
4. How do you say 'pharmacy'?
5. What does 'el semáforo' mean?
6. How do you say 'straight ahead'?
7. What does 'cerca de' mean?
8. How do you say 'library'?
9. '¿Cómo llego a...?' means:
10. What does 'el ayuntamiento' mean?
Whether you are visiting Madrid, exploring Mexico City, or living in Buenos Aires, knowing city vocabulary and direction words is essential. These terms help you ask for and understand directions, find important buildings, and move confidently through any Spanish-speaking city.
Start with Disculpe (excuse me) or Perdone for politeness. The two key question patterns are ¿Dónde está...? for location and ¿Cómo llego a...? for route. Listen for direction keywords in the response and do not be afraid to ask them to repeat: ¿Puede repetir, por favor?
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