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Portuguese · Getting around · Elementary

How to ask for directions in Portuguese

Start with “Desculpe” or “Com licença”, then ask “Onde fica a estação?”. Expect “Siga em frente” (go straight on), “Vire à direita” (turn right) and “São uns dez minutos a pé”. Repeat the key words back to check, and finish with “Agradeço, já percebi”.

Try it · about two minutes

You stop a passer-by to ask the way to the station and whether it’s walkable.

You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

The conversation

  1. You’re not sure of the way, so you stop a passer-by.

    You

    Pode ajudar-me, por favor?

    Can you help me, please?

  2. Passer-by

    Com certeza, diga.

    Of course, go ahead.

    You

    Com licença, onde fica a estação?

    Excuse me, where is the station?

  3. Passer-by

    Siga por esta rua e vire à direita na esquina.

    Follow this street and turn right at the corner.

    You

    À direita na esquina, certo?

    Right at the corner, yes?

  4. Passer-by

    Siga em frente até ver uma igreja.

    Go straight on until you see a church.

    You

    A que distância fica?

    How far is it?

  5. Passer-by

    São uns dez minutos a pé.

    It’s about ten minutes on foot.

    You

    Há um caminho mais rápido?

    Is there a quicker way?

  6. Passer-by

    Não tem nada que enganar.

    You can’t miss it.

    You

    Agradeço, já percebi.

    Thanks, I’ve got it.

Key phrases

  • Com licença, onde fica a estação?

    Excuse me, where is the station?

  • É perto daqui?

    Is it near here?

  • Dá para ir a pé daqui?

    Can I walk from here?

  • Quanto tempo se demora a pé?

    How long does it take on foot?

  • Vou bem para a estação?

    Am I going the right way for the station?

  • Pode mostrar-me no mapa?

    Can you show me on the map?

  • Siga em frente.

    Go straight on.

  • Vire à esquerda no semáforo.

    Turn left at the traffic lights.

  • São uns dez minutos a pé.

    It’s about ten minutes on foot.

  • Fica à sua direita.

    It’s on your right.

Good to know in Portugal

Asking the way

  1. 1

    Start with “desculpe” or “com licença”.

    Posso fazer-lhe uma pergunta?May I ask you something?
  2. 2

    Ask where the place is.

    Com licença, onde fica a estação?Excuse me, where is the station?
  3. 3

    Repeat the key words back to check.

    À direita na esquina, certo?Right at the corner, yes?

Mind the hills

In Lisbon and Porto, ten minutes on foot can include steep hills and steps. If you’d rather avoid them, ask before you set off.

É sempre a subir?

Is it uphill all the way?

Reading addresses

Addresses give the street, the door number and often the floor and side: 2.º Esq. is the second floor, left, and Dto. is right.

More situations in Portuguese

All situations in Portuguese

Keep these phrases in Frasa

Frasa is an iPhone app for the conversations in front of you. Save phrases like these, rehearse them out loud, and they come back until they stick.

AI-generated. May be inaccurate.