#45 Leaving a Message When the Person in Charge Is Unavailable｜English Business Phrases
Izumi English Morning
#37 Asking How to Use a Map App｜English Travel Phrases
Izumi
When visiting a place for the first time during your travels, you may find yourself unsure of which direction to go.
A map app on your smartphone can be extremely helpful in such situations, but there may be times when you are not familiar with how to use it or how to adjust certain settings.
In this article, I explain useful English expressions for asking how to use a map app, along with a conversation example to help you understand how these phrases work in real situations.
Contents
Dialogue
Excuse me, I’m trying to use this map app, but I’m not sure how to search for a location.
Sure. You just need to tap the search bar and type the name of the place.
Got it. How can I start navigation from here?
There should be a “Start” button once you enter the destination.
And how do I change the transportation mode to walking?
You can switch between car, walking, or transit by tapping the icons at the top.
Thank you! That really helps.
1. Expressing What You Are Struggling With
“I’m trying to + base form of the verb” is a useful expression for explaining that you are in the middle of doing something but having difficulty.
- I’m trying to use this map app, but I’m not sure how to search for a location.
This is a polite way to introduce your situation before asking for help.
Examples:
- I’m trying to find this hotel.
- I’m trying to figure out how to use this app.
Explaining your situation first sounds gentler than suddenly asking “How do I search?”.
2. Basic Verbs for App Operations
When discussing map apps, several basic verbs frequently appear to describe smartphone operations.
- tap → to lightly touch with your finger
- enter → to type or input
- start → to begin navigation
These verbs appear often in everyday conversation and are especially useful when asking locals how to operate an app.
Useful app-related vocabulary:
- search bar
- destination
- navigation
- transportation mode
3. Asking How to Perform an Action
The structure “How can I + base form of the verb” means “What should I do to…?”
- How can I start navigation from here?
- How can I change the transportation mode to walking?
This phrase is highly versatile and can be used not only during travel but also in daily life.
4. Expressions for Switching Settings
“switch between A and B (or multiple items)” means “to change back and forth between options.”
- You can switch between car, walking, or transit.
- You can switch between English and Japanese.
This expression is useful whenever you need to talk about changing settings or selecting options.
Summary
- I’m trying to use ～
→ Useful for explaining that you are attempting something but not succeeding. - How can I ～?
→ A versatile expression meaning “What should I do to…?” - Tap / Enter / Start
→ Essential verbs for describing map app operations. - switch between ～
→ Used to describe switching between multiple options.
