indicazioni
In Italian, the English phrase 'directions' (meaning instructions) is translated as indicazioni.
indicazioni is used when referring to directions, such as those found on a map or for navigating a route. For more specificity, you can use indicazioni stradali to mean driving directions or road directions. When you want to ask for directions, you might use the phrase Scusi, mi può indicare la strada per…? to mean 'Excuse me, can you show me the way to…?' or the informal phrase Mi potresti dire come arrivare a…? for 'Can you tell me how to get to…?' Useful landmarks and features when following directions include Piazza (square), Vicolo (alley), Angolo (corner), Incrocio (intersection), Rotatoria (roundabout), Semaforo (traffic light), Ponte (bridge) and Stazione (station).
Meaning: instructions (noun)
Which one should you use?
While indicazioni is the correct term for directions like those used for navigation, the word istruzioni should be used if you are referring to instructions such as those found in a manual for an appliance.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some southern regions, the word vico may be used instead of vicolo to mean alley.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is indicazione.
Did you know?
- Using istruzioni instead of indicazioni when asking for a route would sound to an Italian as if you are asking for the technical assembly manual of the road itself.
- The word indicazioni comes from the verb indicare, which means 'to point at' something with a finger.
- In Italy, asking for indicazioni often leads to a highly descriptive explanation using landmarks rather than street names, as local culture relies heavily on visual cues like a specific cafe or church.
Examples in context
- Deve solo seguire le indicazioni.You have only to follow the directions.Tatoeba #1345714 by Guybrush88, translation #16099 by Swift
- Tom stampò le indicazioni stradali.Tom printed the driving directions.This sentence shows how to refer to printed driving directions.Tatoeba #7709138 by Guybrush88, translation #7668006 by Hybrid
- Forse dovremmo chiedere delle indicazioni.Maybe we should ask for directions.Tatoeba #10151788 by Guybrush88, translation #10094798 by ddnktr
- Scusi, mi può indicare la strada per la stazione?Excuse me, can you show me the way to the station?
- Mi potresti dire come arrivare al ristorante?Can you tell me how to get to the restaurant?
- Prendi la prima/seconda/terza strada a sinistra/destra.Take the first/second/third street on the left/right.
- Vai dritto per circa 200 metri.Go straight for about 200 meters.
- Gira a sinistra/destra al semaforo.Turn left/right at the traffic light.
- Continua fino a quando vedi la piazza.Continue until you see the square.
- È proprio di fronte alla chiesa.It's right in front of the church.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Sofia are lost in a city.
- FrancescoNon capisco queste indicazioni.I don't understand these directions.
- SofiaProviamo a chiedere a quel signore.Let's try asking that gentleman.
- FrancescoSpero che ci dia le indicazioni giuste.I hope he gives us the right directions.
- SofiaSicuramente ci aiuterà, Francesco.He will certainly help us, Francesco.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
