French Phrase
Prends la rue Main en direction du nord.
Meaning
This sentence tells someone to go onto Main Street and continue moving toward the north. It is a direct, informal command often heard when giving step‑by‑step directions on foot or by car.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are pointing someone to a specific street and also want to indicate the overall heading (north). It works well in casual conversation, tourist guides, or when a friend asks how to get somewhere.
✦Grammar Breakdown
PrendslarueMainendirectiondunord
Imperative of *prendre*
For the 2nd‑person singular, drop the final *s* of the present tense (prends → prends). It is used for giving direct commands.
Definite article with *rue*
When naming a street, the article *la* (or *le* for masculine) is kept: la rue Main.
Prepositional phrase *en direction de*
*En direction de* means ‘toward’. It is followed by a noun introduced by the preposition *de* (contracted to *du* before a masculine singular noun).
Contraction *du* = de + le
When *de* meets the masculine definite article *le*, they contract to *du* (du nord = of the north).
Cardinal directions
North, south, east, west are used as nouns (le nord, le sud, l’est, l’ouest) and do not take an article after *direction*.
🗨In Conversation
Prends la rue Main en direction du nord.
Take Main Street heading north.
D’accord, je continue tout droit jusqu’à l’intersection.
Okay, I’ll go straight until the intersection.
✕Common Mistakes
Prends le rue Main en direction du nord.
The noun *rue* is feminine, so the article must be *la*.
Prends la rue Main en direction du le nord.
Do not repeat the article; *du* already includes *le*.
Prends la rue Main vers le nord.
While not wrong, using *vers* changes the nuance; *en direction de* stresses the heading rather than a simple movement.
Prenez la rue Main en direction du Nord.
Cardinal directions are not capitalized in French unless they start a sentence.
↔Alternatives
Suivez la rue Main vers le nord.
Follow Main Street toward the north.
Prenez la rue Main en allant vers le nord.
Take Main Street while going north.
Allez tout droit sur la rue Main, puis dirigez‑vous au nord.
Go straight on Main Street, then head north.
Cultural Tip
In French, street names are preceded by the type of way (rue, avenue, boulevard) and keep the article. When giving directions, French speakers often combine a street name with a cardinal direction, but they also frequently add landmarks (e.g., « tournez à droite après la boulangerie »). The informal imperative *prends* is suitable with friends; in a formal or professional context you would use *Prenez*.