Italian · Travel & Getting Around
"Turn left" in Italian: giri a sinistra
giri a sinistra
Note: informal: gira a sinistra
Turn left in Italian is giri a sinistra (JEE-ree ah see-NEE-strah), the polite lei form. Informal tu is gira a sinistra. Keep a sinistra with the verb.
GPS voice
Tra cento metri giri a sinistra.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce giri a sinistra
Say it
JEE-ree ah see-NEE-strah
/ˈdʒi.ri a siˈni.stra/
Giri stresses JEE: JEE-ree. A is ah. Sinistra stresses NEE: see-NEE-strah. Soft s.
"Turn left" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| giri a sinistra | turn left (formal) Directions with lei. | Directions with lei. |
| gira a sinistra | turn left (informal) Tu form. | Tu form. |
| poi a sinistra | then left Short follow-up. | Short follow-up. |
| la seconda a sinistra | the second (street) on the left Detailed directions. | Detailed directions. |
How to use giri a sinistra in real life
- 1GPS voice
Tra cento metri giri a sinistra.
In one hundred meters turn left.
Giri a sinistra.
- 2Friend navigating
Al semaforo gira a sinistra.
At the light turn left.
Gira a sinistra informal.
- 3Walking tour
Dopo la chiesa giri a sinistra e vai dritto.
After the church turn left and go straight.
Full formal phrase.
Mistakes English speakers make with giri a sinistra
Incorrect: Giri a left.
Correct: Giri a sinistra.
Keep a sinistra, not English left.
Incorrect: Gira (without direction)
Correct: Gira a sinistra.
Keep a sinistra with gira/giri.
Good to know
Italian directions stack short commands: dritto, poi giri a sinistra. Formal giri fits strangers; friends use gira. Pointing while saying a sinistra helps more than perfect grammar on a noisy street corner.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Finding a hidden trattoria
ChatPal
Al angolo giri a sinistra.
At the corner turn left.
You
Ok: giro… cioè, gira a sinistra qui?
Ok: I turn… I mean, turn left here?
ChatPal
Sì, poi di nuovo giri a sinistra dopo il bar.
Yes, then turn left again after the bar.
You
Visto il locale: eccolo.
I see the place: there it is.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Turn left" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Turn left" in Italian
Formal turn left?
Giri a sinistra.
Informal?
Gira a sinistra.
Must I keep a sinistra?
Yes—direction is part of the headword.
Second left?
La seconda a sinistra.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 2: Say it out loud
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- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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