Spanish Basic Directions: DELE A1 Complete Guide
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Key Takeaways
- Learn direction verbs and phrases in Spanish
- Master preposition use in directions
- Understand location descriptions and maps
- Learn asking for and giving directions
- Essential for DELE A1 navigation tasks
Welcome to your complete guide to Spanish basic directions, essential for navigating cities, asking for help, and giving instructions on the DELE A1 exam. This vocabulary is crucial for real-life travel and daily navigation situations.
Direction Verbs
Essential Movement Verbs
| Spanish | English | Example Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ir | to go | Voy al supermercado | I go to the supermarket |
| venir | to come | Vengo de la escuela | I come from school |
| seguir | to continue/follow | Siga derecho | Continue straight |
| doblar | to turn | Doble a la izquierda | Turn left |
| cruzar | to cross | Cruce la calle | Cross the street |
DELE A1 Tip: Use the formal “siga” and “doble” when giving directions to strangers. This shows respect and is commonly used in Spanish-speaking countries.
Basic Direction Phrases
Fundamental Direction Vocabulary
| Spanish | English | Example Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| derecho | straight | Siga derecho | Continue straight |
| a la izquierda | to the left | Gire a la izquierda | Turn to the left |
| a la derecha | to the right | Doble a la derecha | Turn to the right |
| al final de | at the end of | Al final de la calle | At the end of the street |
| al lado de | next to | Está al lado de el banco | It’s next to the bank |
Prepositions of Location
Location Prepositions for Directions
| Spanish | English | Example Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| en | in/on | Está en la calle Mayor | It’s on Main Street |
| cerca de | near | Está cerca de aquí | It’s near here |
| lejos de | far from | Está lejos de la estación | It’s far from the station |
| entre | between | Está entre el banco y la farmacia | It’s between the bank and pharmacy |
| frente a | in front of | Está frente a el parque | It’s in front of the park |
Asking for Directions
Common Questions for Navigation
| Spanish | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| ¿Dónde está…? | Where is…? | General location question |
| ¿Cómo llego a…? | How do I get to…? | Asking for directions |
| ¿Está lejos? | Is it far? | Asking about distance |
| ¿Por dónde se va a…? | Which way to…? | Asking for the route |
| ¿Puede ayudarme? | Can you help me? | Requesting assistance |
Giving Directions
Complete Direction Examples
| Spanish Direction | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Siga derecho dos calles | Continue straight for two blocks |
| Doble a la derecha en el semáforo | Turn right at the traffic light |
| Cruce la plaza y gire a la izquierda | Cross the square and turn left |
| Está al final de esta calle a la izquierda | It’s at the end of this street on the left |
Landmarks and Reference Points
Common Reference Points
| Spanish | English | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| el semáforo | traffic light | En el semáforo, doble a la derecha |
| la plaza | square | Cruce la plaza |
| la esquina | corner | En la esquina |
| el puente | bridge | Después de el puente |
| la rotonda | roundabout | En la rotonda, tome la segunda salida |
DELE A1 Exam Practice
Speaking Section Examples
- Ask for directions: “¿Dónde está la estación de tren?” – “Where is the train station?”
- Give simple directions: “Siga derecho y doble a la izquierda” – “Continue straight and turn left”
- Describe locations: “El banco está al lado de la farmacia” – “The bank is next to the pharmacy”
- Confirm understanding: “¿Está lejos?” – “Is it far?”
Writing Section Examples
- Write simple directions from your house to a nearby place
- Describe the location of places in your neighborhood
- Create a dialogue asking for and giving directions
- Write about how to get to your school or workplace
Common Direction Combinations
Typical Direction Sequences
- Primero, siga derecho. Luego, doble a la derecha. – First, go straight. Then, turn right.
- Cruce la calle y gire a la izquierda. – Cross the street and turn left.
- Siga por esta calle hasta el semáforo. – Continue on this street until the traffic light.
- Está entre el banco y el supermercado. – It’s between the bank and the supermarket.
Distance and Time References
Estimating Distance and Time
- Está a cinco minutos caminando – It’s five minutes walking
- No está lejos – It’s not far
- Está muy cerca – It’s very close
- Tiene que tomar el autobús – You have to take the bus
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong preposition: ❌ “en la izquierda” ✅ “a la izquierda“
- Confusing verbs: ❌ “sigo a derecho” ✅ “sigo derecho“
- Missing articles: ❌ “al lado de banco” ✅ “al lado de el banco“
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to check your understanding of Spanish basic directions?
Take our DELE A1 Spanish Basic Directions Quiz here to confirm you’re ready for this part of the exam.
What’s Next in Your DELE A1 Journey?
- Ready for transportation? Study Spanish Transportation Vocabulary
- Need city vocabulary? Review Spanish City Places Guide
- Practice all A1 vocabulary? Take a Full A1 Vocabulary Test
Good luck with your DELE A1 preparation!
