How to Ask for and Understand Directions in Pidgin
By: Chimdindu Ken-Anaukwu
Lost for road? No wahala. Whether you dey waka for Lagos, Port Harcourt, or even Warri, knowing how to ask for and understand directions in Nigerian Pidgin go save you from serious waka-waka wey no get destination.
Make we yan you how to navigate like correct street pikin wey sabi road.
✨ Why You Gats Learn Direction-Tok for Pidgin
Pidgin na the lingua franca of the streets. Even if person no too sabi English, e go sabi small Pidgin. So, if you fit ask correct questions and understand the response, you fit move from point A reach Z without missing road.
Plus, e dey make you blend like garri for hot water. Locals go respect say you dey try.
🔍 Common Pidgin Phrases to Ask for Directions
Abeg, how I go take reach [place]?
(Please, how do I get to [place]?)This road go carry me go [place]?
(Does this road lead to [place]?)Wetin be the name of this road?
(What is the name of this road?)E dey far from here?
(Is it far from here?)I don pass am?
(Have I passed it?)E get bus wey dey go [place]?
(Is there a bus going to [place]?)
🤓 Phrases You Go Hear When Dem Dey Reply You
Just go straight, you go see am for your right.
(Go straight, you'll see it on your right.)Turn left for that junction.
(Turn left at that junction.)E dey near one big yellow house.
(It’s near a big yellow house.)You never reach, just dey go.
(You haven’t reached yet, just keep going.)E far small o, you fit enter keke.
(It’s a bit far, you might want to take a tricycle.)No worry, I go show you.
(Don’t worry, I’ll show you.) — Na real MVP talk be this one.
“You never reach, just go straight, you go see am for your right.”
📖 Pro Tips for Getting Directions Like Correct Naija Person
Smile small. E go help people open up to help you.
Use hand gestures. Pidgin and sign language dey work hand-in-hand.
Confirm with more than one person. Sometimes, Naija people sabi guess direction like na exam question.
No fear to repeat question. If you no hear well, ask again. Better repeat than land for bush.
🚕 Mini Dialogue Example
You: Abeg, how I go take reach CMS from here?
Stranger: Just dey go straight, when you see that big bridge, turn right. From there, you fit enter bus wey dey go CMS.
Simple like ABC.
🧬 Wrap-Up: Make You No Lost Again
With these simple phrases and tips, you go fit waka around town like local boss. Remember say Pidgin na about communication, no be perfection. The more you use am, the better you go dey.
So next time person ask, "You sabi road?" You fit smile and say, "Na me be GPS!"