Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| instrucciones | /instɾuɡθjones/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /instɾuɡsjones/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine, plural |
| indicaciones | /indikaθjones/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /indikasjones/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine, plural |
Use instrucciones for a set of steps to complete a task, but use indicaciones when asking for directions to a place or how to get somewhere. Use indicaciones for spatial directions (like how to get to a building), but use instrucciones for procedural directions (like how to assemble furniture or follow a recipe).
Which one should you use?
instrucciones is used for procedural directions (the steps to follow for a task), while indicaciones is used for spatial directions (how to get somewhere or navigate a location).
How does it change in a sentence?
Both instrucciones and indicaciones are feminine plural nouns. Because they are feminine, they must be preceded by feminine articles such as las. For example, the singular form of an indication is la indicación.
How do you pronounce it?
/instɾuɡθjones/
When do people say it?
To ask where something is formally, you might say Disculpe, ¿dónde está…?, ¿Podría indicarme cómo llegar a…?, or Perdón, ¿me podría orientar hacia…? In informal settings, you can use Oye, ¿dónde queda…?, ¿Me dices cómo llegar a…?, Perdona, ¿cómo llego a…?, or ¿Sabes cómo llegar a…? Common responses or directions you might receive include Sigue recto (Go straight), Dobla a la izquierda (Turn left), Gira a la derecha (Turn right), Toma la segunda calle a la derecha (Take the second street on the right), Está justo enfrente (It's right in front) or Está a tu izquierda/derecha (It's on your left/right).
Did you know?
- When asking for indicaciones in Mexico, you might hear the word manzana to describe a city block. This literally means 'apple' but refers to the square shape of a block.
- If you are looking for the 'directions' of a compass, you should use los puntos cardinales instead of las indicaciones.
- In Spain, Sigue recto is common for 'go straight', but in parts of Latin America, you will more likely hear Sigue derecho, which also means 'right' or 'straight'.
Examples in context
- Quizá deberíamos pedir indicaciones.Maybe we should ask for directions.This sentence shows a suggestion to ask for indicaciones.Tatoeba #10094971 by manufrutos, translation #10094798 by ddnktr
- Sólo tienes que seguir las indicaciones.You have only to follow the directions.This sentence emphasizes following indicaciones.Tatoeba #683429 by Shishir, translation #16099 by Swift
- Por favor, dale instrucciones detalladas y específicas.Please give him detailed and specific directions.This sentence describes giving detailed and specific instrucciones.Tatoeba #721855 by Shishir, translation #285099 by CM
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are in the kitchen preparing a new recipe.
- JavierElena, ¿tienes las instrucciones de la receta?Elena, do you have the instructions for the recipe?
- ElenaSí, las instrucciones están en el libro.Yes, the instructions are in the book.
- JavierPerfecto, léeme las instrucciones con calma.Perfect, read the instructions to me slowly.
- ElenaClaro, primero debemos picar la cebolla.Sure, first we must chop the onion.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “directions” translations and entries instrucciones, indicaciones, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
