Basic directions: Asking for directions
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Key Phrases
Onde fica a estação de metro mais próxima?
Where is the nearest metro station?
É longe daqui?
Is it far from here?
Muito obrigado pela ajuda.
Thank you very much for your help.
Skills You'll Learn
Ask for directions to a place
Pedir indicações para um lugar
Understand simple distance and walking-time explanations
Compreender explicações simples sobre distância e tempo a pé
Follow basic route instructions and respond politely
Seguir instruções básicas de caminho e responder com educação
Lesson Roleplay
Imagine you are in Portugal asking a passer-by for directions to the nearest metro station, checking how far it is, how to get there, and thanking them for their help.
Olá. Desculpe, onde fica a estação de metro mais próxima?
Hello. Excuse me, where is the nearest metro station?
Olá! Fica ali ao fundo, perto da praça.
Hello! It's down there at the end, near the square.
É longe daqui?
Is it far from here?
Não, fica a uns cinco minutos a pé.
No, it's about five minutes on foot.
Vou em frente e depois viro à direita?
Do I go straight ahead and then turn right?
Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases
Olá.
oh-LAH
Hello.
Desculpe.
desh-KOOL-peh
Excuse me.
🇵🇹 [Desculpe] is the normal polite way to get a stranger's attention in Portugal before asking for directions. It lands well with adults, shop staff, and passers-by.
See breakdown →Onde
ON-deh
Where
Fica
FEE-kah
Is / is located
💬 In directions, [fica] often means "is located" rather than just "stays." You can reuse it with places: [Onde fica o hotel?]
See breakdown →Onde fica...?
ON-deh FEE-kah
Where is...?
A estação
ah esh-tah-SOWN
The station
De metro
duh MEH-troo
Of the metro / underground
Mais próxima
mysh PROK-see-mah
Nearest
💬 [Mais] + adjective makes a comparison, but with places it often gives the natural meaning "nearest": [mais próxima]. Same pattern: [o café mais perto].
See breakdown →A estação de metro mais próxima
ah esh-tah-SOWN duh MEH-troo mysh PROK-see-mah
The nearest metro station
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