Where is it?
Ask for places and understand basic directions
Context
Listen to the dialogue. Tap the speaker to hear each line.
Turista
Disculpe, ¿dónde está el banco?
Excuse me, where is the bank?
Persona
El banco está a la derecha, al lado del supermercado.
The bank is to the right, next to the supermarket.
Turista
¿Y hay un restaurante cerca?
And is there a restaurant nearby?
Persona
Sí, hay uno en la esquina.
Yes, there is one on the corner.
Turista
¿Está lejos?
Is it far?
Persona
No, está muy cerca.
No, it's very close.
Practice the dialogue
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Vocabulary
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¿dónde está...?
¿Dónde está el banco?
'Dónde está' asks where a SPECIFIC place is. Use 'está' with a place name.
where is...?
Saveestá
El banco está a la derecha.
'Está' describes location or state. The bank is 'está' because it has a specific place.
it is (located)
Savehay
Hay un restaurante cerca.
'Hay' means 'there is/are' in general — it talks about existence, not a specific spot.
there is / there are
Savela esquina
Hay un restaurante en la esquina.
'En la esquina' = on the corner. A very common location word.
the corner
Savea la izquierda
Gira a la izquierda.
'Derecha' = right, 'izquierda' = left. 'Gira' = turn.
to the left
Savecerca
Está muy cerca.
'Cerca' = close. 'Muy cerca' = very close. Opposite: 'lejos' (far).
near / close
Savelejos
El centro está lejos.
Ask '¿está lejos?' to ask if something is far. Answer 'no, está cerca' or 'sí, está lejos'.
far
Saveal lado de
Está al lado del supermercado.
'Al lado de' + 'el' becomes 'al lado del': al lado del banco.
next to
SaveGrammar in 1 minute
Está vs. Hay
'Está' means something is in a specific place: 'el banco está aquí'. 'Hay' means something exists: 'hay un banco aquí'. Use 'hay' to say 'there is/are' in general.
El banco está a la derecha. Hay un restaurante en la esquina.
Ask '¿dónde está?' for a specific place, and '¿hay...?' to ask if something exists nearby.
Asking where places are
Ask for a specific place with '¿Dónde está + place?'. The word 'disculpe' (excuse me) makes the question polite when talking to strangers.
¿Dónde está el banco? Disculpe, ¿dónde está el supermercado?
Start with 'Disculpe' (excuse me) to sound polite to someone you don't know.
Basic directions
Describe location with 'a la derecha' (to the right), 'a la izquierda' (to the left), 'al lado de' (next to), 'cerca' (near) and 'lejos' (far).
Está a la izquierda. Está al lado del banco. Está cerca. Está lejos.
Combine them: 'está a la derecha, al lado del supermercado' — right, then next to.
Interactive practice
Each exercise is checked instantly. You need an account to save your progress.
Where is the bank?
Listen and choose where the bank is.
Where is the bank?
Where is it?
Write the missing verb (is located).
Accents optional: write "como estas" and it works.
Match the direction
Connect each Spanish phrase with its English meaning.
Write a location
Write 'The bank is next to the supermarket' in Spanish.
Write 'The bank is next to the supermarket' in Spanish.
Suggested answer: El banco está al lado del supermercado
Repeat the location
Listen, pause and repeat out loud with a clear voice.
¿Dónde está el banco? Está cerca.
Where is the bank? It's close.
Listen, pause and repeat out loud. Repeat 3 times until it sounds natural.
Pronunciation trainer
There is a restaurant
Write the missing word (there is).
Accents optional: write "como estas" and it works.
Final quiz
Score 70% or more to unlock the next lesson. You can retake it as many times as you want; your best score is saved.