Directions and Places Audio

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand and respond to simple spoken directions and location descriptions in Japanese, such as "turn left," "go straight," and "it's near the station."

In Japanese, giving directions and describing locations relies on a few key verbs, location words (like "here," "there," "near"), and directional terms (like "left," "right," "straight"). These are often used with the particle ni (に) to indicate a destination or location, and o (を) to mark the path of movement.

1. Key Directional Words

These are the most common words you'll hear in spoken directions.

2. Key Verbs for Directions

• 曲がる (まがる, magaru) – to turn曲
• 行く (いく, iku) – to go行
• ある (aru) – to exist (for inanimate things, like buildings)

3. Common Direction Phrases

To give a direction, combine a verb with a directional word. The particle o (を) marks the path for "go straight" or "turn."

• まっすぐ行ってください。 (Massugu itte kudasai.) – Please go straight.行
• 右に曲がってください。 (Migi ni magatte kudasai.) – Please turn right.右曲
• 左に曲がってください。 (Hidari ni magatte kudasai.) – Please turn left.左曲

To describe a location, use ni (に) or no (の) with a location word.

• 駅の近くにあります。 (Eki no chikaku ni arimasu.) – It is near the station.駅近
• コンビニのとなりです。 (Konbini no tonari desu.) – It is next to the convenience store.

1. 駅は右にあります。
   Eki wa migi ni arimasu.
   The station is on the right.駅右

   駅右

2. まっすぐ行って、左に曲がってください。
   Massugu itte, hidari ni magatte kudasai.
   Go straight, then please turn left.行左曲

   行左曲

3. 銀行はスーパーの前にあります。
   Ginkō wa sūpā no mae ni arimasu.
   The bank is in front of the supermarket.銀行前

   銀行前

4. トイレはここです。
   Toire wa koko desu.
   The restroom is here.

Mixing up "migi" and "hidari" – These sound similar to beginners. Practice by associating migi (right) with the hand you write with (most people), and hidari (left) with the other side. Also, remember that massugu (straight) does not use a particle before it—just say "massugu itte."

Fill in the blanks with the correct Japanese word (romaji is fine).

1. "Please turn right." → ____ ni magatte kudasai.
   (Answer: migi)

2. "The post office is next to the hospital."
   Yūbinkyoku wa byōin no ____ desu.
   (Answer: tonari)

3. "Go straight and turn left."
   ____ itte, hidari ni magatte kudasai.
   (Answer: massugu)

You now know the essential words and phrases for understanding spoken directions: massugu (straight), migi (right), hidari (left), and location words like chikaku (near) and tonari (next to). Practice listening for these words in audio clips or real conversations. Next, try learning how to ask for directions using "Sumimasen, ___ wa doko desu ka?" (Excuse me, where is ___?)