How to ask for directions in French
Excusez-moi, je cherche la station de métro
“Excuse me, I'm looking for the metro station”
When: Approaching a passerby
The moment
You are near the Marais in Paris and need to find the nearest metro station before your museum slot.
A1 · Unit 3 · Getting around
The lines
Stopping someone politely
"Excusez-moi" plus a quick "je cherche..." (I am looking for...) is the standard street-help opener.
Excusez-moi, je cherche la station de métro
“Excuse me, I'm looking for the metro station”
When to use it: Approaching a passerby
What you’ll hear back: C'est tout droit, puis à gauche.
Decoding the reply
Listen for "tout droit" (straight on), "à gauche" (left), "à droite" (right). Confirm by repeating them back.
Tout droit et ensuite à gauche ?
“Straight ahead and then left?”
When to use it: Confirming what you heard
What you’ll hear back: C'est ça, à deux minutes.
Words for this scene
| French | Say it | English |
|---|---|---|
| je cherche... | zhuh SHERSH | I am looking for... |
Je cherche la station de métro. I am looking for the metro station. Tip: Simpler than asking "where is" — works for anything. | ||
| tout droit | too DRWAH | straight ahead |
Continuez tout droit. Keep going straight. Tip: Do not confuse with "à droite" (to the right)! | ||
| à gauche / à droite | ah GOHSH / ah DRWAT | to the left / right |
La station est à droite. The station is on the right. Tip: Gauche = left, droite = right. | ||
Your objective
Ask how to get where you’re going, then check one detail: which way to turn or how far it is.
- where you’re going
- which way or how far
Lines that get it done
- Je cherche la station de métro. · I am looking for the metro station.
- Tout droit et ensuite à gauche ?
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. How do you say "I am looking for the metro station"?
- Je cherche la station de métro
- Je regarde le métro
- Je veux aller
- Où je suis ?
Show the answer
Je cherche la station de métro
"Je cherche..." is the natural way to ask for a place.
2. "Tout droit" means...
- Straight ahead
- To the right
- Turn back
- Upstairs
Show the answer
Straight ahead
Tout droit = straight on; à droite = to the right.
3. Which means "to the left"?
- À gauche
- À droite
- Tout droit
- Là-bas
Show the answer
À gauche
Gauche is left.