Asking for directions

The situation

You: You need to get from Berri-UQAM station to McGill. You're not sure which direction.

Them: You approach a fellow passenger.

Goal: Find out the line, direction, and number of stops.

The conversation (French & English)

Excusez-moi, je cherche la station McGill. C'est quelle direction ?
Excuse me, I'm looking for McGill station. Which direction is it?

McGill ? C'est la ligne verte, direction Angrignon.
McGill? It's the green line, direction Angrignon.

D'accord. C'est à combien de stations d'ici ?
OK. How many stations from here?

Trois stations. Vous descendez à la troisième.
Three stations. You get off at the third one.

Et la sortie ?
And the exit?

La sortie est juste là, suivez les flèches.
The exit is right there, follow the arrows.

Merci beaucoup, c'est très gentil.
Thank you very much, that's very kind.

Key vocabulary

excusez-moi	excuse me
je cherche	I'm looking for
la direction	the direction
la ligne verte	the green line
une station	a station
descendre	to get off (transit)
la sortie	the exit
suivre	to follow
une flèche	an arrow
c'est gentil	'that's kind of you

Grammar in this conversation — Pointing with "c'est"

For pointing, identifying, or stating "this/that is X", French uses c'est + noun or adjective — not "il est / elle est" (which is for specific known people/things with their attributes).

• C'est la ligne verte.
• C'est à trois stations d'ici.
• C'est très gentil.
• Il est grand. (he/it specifically is tall) — different use.

Phrases to practise aloud

Excusez-moi, je cherche la station McGill. — Excuse me, I'm looking for McGill station.

C'est quelle direction ? — Which direction is it?

C'est à combien de stations d'ici ? — How many stations from here?

Et la sortie est où ? — And where is the exit?

Merci beaucoup, c'est très gentil. — Thank you very much, that's very kind.

Check your understanding

1. Which metro line goes to McGill?
Answer: Green

2. How many stations away is McGill?
Answer: 3

3. What direction do you take?
Answer: Angrignon

4. How do you find the exit?
Answer: Follow the arrows

Your speaking challenge

You're on the metro and need to get to a station. Ask a fellow passenger which line, direction, and how many stops.

Excusez-moi, je cherche la station [name]. C'est quelle direction ? C'est à combien de stations d'ici ? Et la sortie est où ? Merci beaucoup.
Excuse me, I'm looking for [name] station. Which direction is it? How many stations from here? And where is the exit? Thank you very much.