Asking for Directions in Polish

Ninety percent of every route is three words: prosto, w lewo, w prawo. Add the polite ask and a couple of landmark prepositions, and no old town can hold you.

The Three Directions

Polite Instructions

Directions arrive as proszę + infinitive — the gentle command: Proszę iść prosto (please go straight), Proszę skręcić w lewo (please turn left). You don't need to produce these yet — you need to catch them at street speed.

Next To, Near, Opposite

Three landmark words, all pulling the genitive you know: obok banku (next to the bank), koło rynku (near the square), naprzeciwko dworca (opposite the station).

Far or Near

daleko — far; blisko — near. The full answer you're hoping for: To jest blisko, pięć minut prosto. The one you're not: To daleko, proszę jechać autobusem — take the bus (next lesson has you covered).

Common Mistakes

• na lewo vs w lewo. Both exist; turning is skręcić w lewo.
• obok + nominative. Landmarks take the genitive: obok banku, not obok bank.
• Nodding while lost. Jeszcze raz, proszę — once more, please — costs nothing and saves kilometers.

What You Can Do Now

You can ask where anything is, follow street directions delivered at native speed, and give simple ones back — the city grid is now readable.