Ways to say it
| French |
|---|
| comment aller à |
| comment puis-je me rendre à… |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase comment aller à literally translates to "how to go to".
Which one should you use?
comment puis-je me rendre à… means "How can I go to…" and is more formal. For a more indirect approach, you can use Pourriez-vous m'indiquer le chemin pour aller à…, which means "Could you show me the way to…". In informal settings, you might hear C'est par où pour aller à…, meaning "Which way is it to…".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Comment puis-je me rendre à… and Pourriez-vous m'indiquer le chemin pour aller à… are formal and polite ways to ask for directions. C'est par où pour aller à… is used in informal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the destination is masculine, à and le contract to form au (for example, comment aller au parc). If the destination is plural, à and les contract to form aux (for example, comment aller aux toilettes).
When do people say it?
In France, it is considered culturally polite to begin your request for directions with Pardon or Excusez-moi before stating your question.
Did you know?
- The preposition à used in these directions is a strange hybrid. It is actually a combination of two ancient Latin prepositions that meant opposite things: 'to' and 'from'.
- If you are looking for the restroom, you would use the plural contraction aux toilettes rather than the singular, because the word 'toilettes' is almost always used in the plural in French.
- When using the formal phrase comment puis-je me rendre à…, you are using a verb that can also mean 'to give back' in other contexts.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, comment puis-je me rendre à la gare s'il vous plaît?Hello, how do I get to the train station, please?
- Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous m'indiquer le chemin pour aller à l'hôtel?Excuse me, could you show me the way to the hotel?
- Salut, comment je peux aller à la plage?Hi, how can I go to the beach?
- Dis-moi, c'est par où pour aller au musée?Tell me, which way is it to the museum?
- Comment aller à la mairie d'ici ?How do I get to the town hall from here?
Example conversation
Gabriel is lost in the city and asks Emma for directions.
- GabrielExcusez-moi, comment aller à la mairie ?Excuse me, how do I get to the city hall?
- EmmaC'est tout droit, puis tournez à gauche.It is straight ahead, then turn left.
- GabrielMerci beaucoup pour votre aide, Emma.Thank you very much for your help, Emma.
- EmmaDe rien, Gabriel. Bonne journée !You're welcome, Gabriel. Have a nice day!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “how do I get to” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aller, comment, me, rendre, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
