French for English speakers Supermarket · Lesson 3

I got lost again

Asking directions in French — Comment puis-je me rendre à la gare ? (How do I get to the station?) — formal polite directions.

Conversation

  1. Honey Honey

    Excusez-moi, comment puis-je me rendre à la gare ?

    Excuse me, how do I get to the station?

    Tip: <Excusez-moi> = the polite form of excuse me.

  2. Meera Meera

    Vous voulez dire la gare centrale ?

    The central station, right?

  3. Honey Honey

    Oui, est-elle près d'ici ?

    Yes, is it near here?

  4. Meera Meera

    Oui. Vous devriez aller tout droit et tourner à droite.

    Yes. You need to go straight and turn right.

    Tip: <vous devriez> = lit. you should

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you ask for directions to a station?

Comment puis-je me rendre à + place? — formal. Casual: Comment je vais à ...? Pour aller à... ?

Se rendre vs aller?

Both mean 'to go'. Se rendre is more formal/literary. Aller is everyday. Se rendre à la gare = 'go to the station' (formal).

What is la gare?

'Train station' specifically. La station = metro/bus stop. La gare routière = bus station.

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