italiano · A2 · vocabulary · 4 minutes

Giving directions

Build a route from commands, turns, crossings, and landmarks.

Understand the choice

Clear directions alternate an action with a visible landmark. Andare dritto, girare al semaforo, attraversare un ponte, and arrivare all’incrocio make the path checkable.

Core rule: Formal Lei commands often use present-subjunctive forms such as vada, giri, attraversi.

Notice it in context

Vada sempre dritto, giri a sinistra e attraversi la piazza.

Go straight ahead, turn left, and cross the square.

Vada, giri, and attraversi are coordinated formal commands; a sinistra gives direction.

Giri a destra al semaforo.

Turn right at the traffic light.

A destra gives direction; al semaforo gives the turning point.

Il ponte è subito dopo l’incrocio.

The bridge is immediately after the intersection.

Ponte and incrocio form a landmark relation.

What to remember

  • Informal singular commands would be vai, gira, attraversa.
  • Attraversare takes the place directly: attraversare la piazza.

Common trap: Do not add per after attraversare in this meaning.

Practice this lesson with recall