A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Go straight" in Italian
Learn how to give clear directions in Italy with this essential phrase for telling someone to go straight ahead.
Vada sempre dritto.
VAH-dah SEM-preh DREE-tohformal
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Use this when a pedestrian or driver asks you for directions on the street. It is the perfect way to instruct them to continue along their current path without turning.
Alternatives
- Vai sempre dritto.Use this informal version with friends or people younger than you.
- Prosegua sempre diritto.A slightly more elegant, formal way to say the same thing.
- Tiri dritto.A common, punchy way to say keep going without stopping.
Ways to get it wrong
Mixing up formal and informal
Avoid using 'vai' with a stranger, as it sounds overly familiar; stick to 'vada' for safety.
Mispronouncing the double 't'
Make sure to hold the 't' sound slightly longer in 'dritto' to sound natural.
A small cultural note
In many parts of Italy, locals might gesture with their hands while saying this; pay attention to their pointing, as it often clarifies the direction better than the words.
Frequently asked
How do I tell someone to go straight and then turn?
You can say 'Vada sempre dritto e poi giri a destra' for a right turn. Just add 'e poi' followed by the turn instruction.
Is dritto or diritto better?
Both are grammatically correct and widely used in conversation. 'Dritto' is slightly more common in everyday spoken Italian.
What if I want to tell them to go straight for a long time?
You can add 'per un bel po'' to the end of the phrase. This effectively tells them to keep going for quite a while.
