Hello Italki! I remember when I was in Lagos, Portugal and two tourists girls from Barcelona asked me in Spanish for directions. I was able to successfully give them directions to their hostel and I was so happy to help people in another language, just like so many people have helped me in my native English language when I travel abroad!
So today, I have created a make believe conversation with two tourists asking me for directions.If you could, please correct my mistakes. I have written what I WANT to say in English, so please read that first before you read what I wrote in Spanish. For Spanish, I used the command plural form (ustedes) of the verbs since I'm talking to two girls. Although In English, I wrote what I would naturally say and it turns out I would naturally use the singular form when giving directions, even to two people at once! So, I’m not sure if that was correct or not in Spanish to use the ustedes command form. Also, names of businesses are in parenthesis.
Thank you in advance and please forgive me for butchering your language lol!!!!<o:p></o:p>
ENGLISH<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
One girl talking, while another girl is right beside & with her: Hello, how are you? We want to go to “Paprika Hostel.” Can you help us please?<o:p></o:p>
Me: Yeah sure, no problem. First, go to the end of the street. Then, turn to the right. Walk for about three minutes. When you see the store that’s called “Wal-Mart,” turn to the left. Continue walking straight until you see the supermarket that’s called “Ben’s”. When you see the supermarket “Ben’s” on the right hand side of the street, look to the left side of the street in front of “Ben’s” and you will see “Paprika Hostel.” <o:p></o:p>
Both girls at once: Thank you very much!<o:p></o:p>
Me: You’re welcome ladies, good luck!<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
SPANISH<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Two girls: “¿Hola, como está? Queremos ir a “Paprika Hostel.” ¿Puede ayudar? <o:p></o:p>
Me: Si, no problema. Primer, ven al final de la calle. Entonces, giren a la derecha. Caminen para tres minutos, mas o menos. Cuando ven la tienda se llama “Wal-Mart”, giren a la izquierda. Sigan caminar derecho hasta que miran el supermercado se llama “Ben’s”. Cuando ven al supermercado “Ben’s” en la derecha de la calle, miren a la izquierda de la calle enfrente de “Ben’s” y verán “Paprika Hostel.” <o:p></o:p>
Two girls: ¡Muchisimas gracias!<o:p></o:p>
Me: De nada damas, buenas suertes!<o:p></o:p>
To ask, i say: Puede ayudar + me (if it's just me, or nos if i'm with somebody else)
Puede ayudarme por favor? / Puede ayudarnos por favor?
-Not asking: Ayudame por favor! / Ayudanos por favor!
People say: Ayudame for ''help me'' and Ayudanos for ''help us'' because the verb is 'AYUDAR' and if I want someone help ''me'' i say ayudame (without R) so, if we want someone help us, i say ayudanos (without R too) because i want someone help nosotros and im not asking if he or she 'can'' do it, im just saying it, imagine im about to fall into an abyss, i woudn't ask if you can or not i just say HEEEY HELP ME PLEASEEE!!! :)
Well, i'll help you with the rest..
Buena suerte is always singular, you can never say ''buenas suertes'' ni ''buena suertes'' ni ''buenas suerte'' because all of them are wrong, so just say ''buena suerte'' in all cases.
Two girls: ¡Muchisimas gracias!<o:p></o:p>
Me: De nada damas, buenas suertes! You can use señoritas or chicas insted of damas but it's not usual, you just could say de nada, buena suerte! y si quieres sonar un poco más educado puedes decir, Fue un placer ayudarlas, que tengan un buen dia!
Sigan caminar caminando derecho hasta que miran vean el un supermercado que se llama “Ben’s”. Cuando vean al el supermercado “Ben’s” en a la derecha de la calle, miren a la izquierda de la calle en frente de “Ben’s” y verán “Paprika Hostel.” or just say: miren al frente de Ben's y verán el Hostal Paprika or ''Paprika Hostel'' <o:p></o:p>
