Inklingo

How to Say "direction" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “direction” is “dirección” — use 'dirección' when referring to the physical path or way to get somewhere, like 'turn left in that direction'.

direcciónA2

Use 'dirección' when referring to the physical path or way to get somewhere, like 'turn left in that direction'.

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indicaciónB1

Use 'indicación' for specific guidance or instructions on how to reach a destination, often found on signs or maps.

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instrucciónA2

Use 'instrucción' when referring to a single step or a series of steps to perform a task, like in a manual or recipe.

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sentido🔊B1

Use 'sentido' specifically for the direction of traffic or movement on a road, such as 'one-way street'.

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rumbo🔊A2

Use 'rumbo' to indicate a general course or heading, often used in navigation or when talking about the direction a ship or plane is taking.

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orientaciónB1

Use 'orientación' for a physical positioning relative to surroundings or cardinal points, or a sense of one's location.

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norte🔊B2

Use 'norte' metaphorically to mean a guiding principle, objective, or clear aim in life.

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realizaciónC1

Use 'realización' for the technical direction or production of a film, play, or show.

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English → Spanish

dirección

nounA2general
Use 'dirección' when referring to the physical path or way to get somewhere, like 'turn left in that direction'.

Examples

Siga todo recto en esa dirección.

Continue straight in that direction.

indicación

nounB1general
Use 'indicación' for specific guidance or instructions on how to reach a destination, often found on signs or maps.

Examples

Sigue las indicaciones del mapa para llegar al hotel.

Follow the map's instructions to get to the hotel.

instrucción

nounA2general
Use 'instrucción' when referring to a single step or a series of steps to perform a task, like in a manual or recipe.

Examples

No entiendo la primera instrucción del manual.

I don't understand the first instruction in the manual.

sentido

sen-TEE-dohsenˈti.ðo

nounB1general
Use 'sentido' specifically for the direction of traffic or movement on a road, such as 'one-way street'.
A simple illustration of a straight road with a large, clear painted arrow showing the single direction of travel for a tiny vehicle.

Examples

Esta calle es de sentido único.

This is a one-way street.

Los coches vienen en sentido contrario.

The cars are coming in the opposite direction.

Debes cambiar de sentido en la rotonda.

You should change direction at the roundabout.

rumbo

rrohm-bohˈrumbo

nounA2general
Use 'rumbo' to indicate a general course or heading, often used in navigation or when talking about the direction a ship or plane is taking.
A small red sailboat follows a visible dashed line across the ocean directly toward a distant green island, symbolizing its nautical course.

Examples

El capitán ajustó el timón y puso rumbo al sur.

The captain adjusted the rudder and set a course for the south.

Perdimos el rumbo por culpa de la niebla espesa.

We lost our heading because of the thick fog.

El avión lleva rumbo a Madrid.

The plane is heading toward Madrid.

Using 'Rumbo' with 'A'

When you talk about setting a direction toward a specific place, you almost always use the preposition 'a' (to/toward): 'rumbo a la costa' (heading to the coast).

Using 'Por' instead of 'A'

Mistake: “El tren va por rumbo Barcelona.”

Correction: El tren va rumbo a Barcelona. ('Rumbo a' is the fixed phrase for destination.)

orientación

nounB1general
Use 'orientación' for a physical positioning relative to surroundings or cardinal points, or a sense of one's location.

Examples

La casa tiene una excelente orientación al sol.

The house has excellent orientation toward the sun.

norte

NOR-tehˈnoɾte

nounB2figurative
Use 'norte' metaphorically to mean a guiding principle, objective, or clear aim in life.
A small stylized person stands on a path, looking towards a large, brightly glowing star or beacon positioned prominently on the distant horizon, symbolizing a goal or guiding principle.

Examples

La honestidad es el norte que guía mi vida.

Honesty is the guiding principle that guides my life.

Después de la crisis, la empresa perdió el norte.

After the crisis, the company lost its way/direction.

Necesitamos un norte claro para este proyecto.

We need a clear direction for this project.

realización

nounC1technical
Use 'realización' for the technical direction or production of a film, play, or show.

Examples

La realización técnica de la película ganó un premio nacional.

The technical production of the movie won a national award.

Dirección vs. Indicación

The most common confusion is between 'dirección' and 'indicación'. Remember, 'dirección' refers to the path itself, while 'indicación' refers to the specific guidance or signposts telling you how to follow that path.

Related Translations

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