Grammar
Imperative for directions
The imperative gives instructions and directions. For a stranger or several people, use the vous form of the present tense without the word vous: vous tournez becomes Tournez ! Continuez ! Traversez ! Allez tout droit ! For a friend, use the tu form, but for -er verbs (and aller) drop the final -s: tu tournes becomes Tourne ! and tu vas becomes Va !
To say 'let's', use the nous form without nous: Allons au parc ! Allons-y ! (Let's go!). To tell someone not to do something, put ne before the verb and pas after: Ne tournez pas à gauche.
In English the imperative is the bare verb, 'Turn left', and that is easy. In French, you must choose between tu and vous, and give the verb the right ending. When asking a stranger, use vous and add s'il vous plaît.
| Tournez à gauche. | Turn left. (vous) |
| Tourne à gauche. | Turn left. (tu) |
| Allez tout droit. | Go straight ahead. (vous) |
| Va tout droit. | Go straight ahead. (tu) |
| Prenez la première rue. | Take the first street. (vous) |
| Allons-y ! | Let's go! |
Tournez à droite au carrefour.
Turn right at the crossroads.
Continuez tout droit.
Keep going straight ahead.
Traversez le pont.
Cross the bridge.
Prends la deuxième rue à gauche.
Take the second street on the left.
Allons au parc !
Let's go to the park!