French Phrase
Ils montrent comment aller aux quais.
Meaning
The sentence means 'They show how to get to the platforms.' It can refer to train station platforms or river wharfs, depending on the situation. The verb montrer indicates that a demonstration or visual guide is being provided.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to point someone to a tutorial, video, or live demonstration that explains the route to the platforms – for example in a travel guide, a museum audio guide, or a YouTube travel vlog.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ilsmontrentcommentallerauxquais
Subject pronoun (Ils)
Third‑person plural pronoun meaning 'they'. It triggers plural verb agreement.
Verb montrer (present)
Montrer means 'to show'. In the present tense for ils, it becomes montrent.
Comment (adverb)
Interrogative adverb meaning 'how'. It introduces a clause that explains a method.
Aller (infinitive)
The infinitive of 'to go'. After comment, the infinitive expresses the action to be performed.
Aux (à + les)
Contraction of the preposition à + the plural article les, meaning 'to the' (plural).
Quais (noun, plural)
Plural of quai, meaning 'platforms' (train stations) or 'wharfs' depending on context.
🗨In Conversation
Je ne sais pas comment aller aux quais.
I don’t know how to get to the platforms.
Pas de souci, ils montrent comment aller aux quais dans la vidéo.
No problem, they show how to get to the platforms in the video.
✕Common Mistakes
Ils montre comment aller aux quais.
Verb must agree with the plural subject ils; the correct form is montrent.
Ils montrent comment aller au quai.
If you are talking about several platforms, you need the plural aux quais, not the singular au quai.
Ils montrent comment aller aux quai.
The noun quai must be plural when preceded by aux; also keep the article attached to the preposition.
↔Alternatives
Ils expliquent comment se rendre aux quais.
They explain how to get to the platforms.
Ils montrent le chemin vers les quais.
They show the way to the platforms.
Ils indiquent comment accéder aux quais.
They indicate how to access the platforms.
Cultural Tip
In France, the word quai is most often associated with train stations (e.g., Quai 1, Quai 2). On riverbanks, quai refers to a dock or wharf. When giving directions, French signage usually includes the word ‘Quai’ followed by a number, so learners should be aware of the context to avoid confusion between transport and maritime meanings.