Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Direction in Spanish: Dirección, Rumbo, Sentido, and Indicaciones
Dirección · noun (feminine) · dee-rehk-SYOHN
Direction in Spanish is dirección (dee-rehk-SYOHN), which also means address. Rumbo is a heading or course. Sentido is the direction of flow (e.g., traffic). For step-by-step directions, use indicaciones.
Dirección is dee-rehk-SYOHN, three syllables, stress on SYOHN.
¿Me puedes dar la dirección del restaurante?
Can you give me the direction to the restaurant?
Direction in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for direction, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| dirección | direction | dee-rehk-SYOHN | Default, widely understood |
| rumbo | direction | heading, course | |
| sentido | direction | direction of travel (one-way, etc.) | |
| indicaciones | direction | directions (instructions to get somewhere) |
How Native Speakers Use Dirección
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Asking for an address
¿Cuál es tu dirección? Necesito enviarte un paquete.
What is your address? I need to send you a package.
Dirección doubles as address and direction.
Which direction
¿En qué dirección queda la estación de tren?
In which direction is the train station?
Dirección as a physical direction or orientation.
Asking for directions
Disculpe, ¿me puede dar indicaciones para llegar al museo?
Excuse me, can you give me directions to the museum?
Indicaciones is the word for step-by-step directions.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Dirección
Confusing dirección (direction) with dirección (address)
Incorrect: Caminamos en la dirección de Calle 5. (meaning at the address)
Correct: Vivimos en la dirección Calle 5.
Dirección can mean both direction and address. Context resolves it, but be aware that listeners may interpret either meaning.
Using direcciones for instructions
Incorrect: Dame las direcciones al hotel.
Correct: Dame las indicaciones para llegar al hotel.
For step-by-step navigation instructions, indicaciones is the natural word. Direcciones as a plural would mean multiple addresses or multiple directions.
Lock in Direction Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Dirección used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using dirección in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear ¿Me puedes dar la dirección del restaurante? while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Direction in Spanish
- How do you say direction in Spanish?
- Direction is dirección (dee-rehk-SYOHN). It also means address. For navigation instructions, use indicaciones.
- What is the difference between dirección and sentido?
- Dirección is the general direction or orientation. Sentido is the specific direction of flow: calle de sentido único (one-way street), en sentido contrario (the wrong way).
- How do I ask for directions in Spanish?
- Say ¿Cómo llego a…? (How do I get to…?) or ¿Me puede dar indicaciones? (Can you give me directions?).