Italian Phrase
È a pochi isolati a nord di qui.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener that something is located a few city blocks north of the speaker’s current position. It’s a concise way to give a directional cue in an urban setting.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re giving directions, describing where a shop, landmark, or friend’s house is, or when you need to point out a nearby location in a city environment.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Èapochiisolatianorddiqui.
Essere for location (È)
The verb "essere" (to be) is used with "è" to state the location of something, similar to "it is" in English.
Distance expression (a pochi isolati)
"a" + quantity + "isolati" expresses a short distance measured in city blocks.
Cardinal direction (a nord di)
"a nord di" means "north of"; the preposition "di" links the direction to the reference point.
Reference point (di qui)
"di qui" literally means "of here" and works like "from here" to anchor the direction.
🗨In Conversation
Scusa, dove è la farmacia?
Excuse me, where is the pharmacy?
È a pochi isolati a nord di qui.
It’s a few blocks north of here.
✕Common Mistakes
È in pochi isolati a nord di qui.
Use "a" (a pochi isolati) to indicate distance; "in" would suggest being inside something.
È a pochi isolati a nord da qui.
"a nord di qui" is the idiomatic way; "a nord da qui" sounds unnatural to native speakers.
↔Alternatives
È a qualche isolato a nord di qui.
It’s a couple of blocks north of here.
È a pochi passi a nord di qui.
It’s a short walk north of here.
È un po' più a nord.
It’s a little further north.
Cultural Tip
In Italian cities, "isolato" is the standard word for a city block, especially in larger towns like Rome or Milan. In smaller towns you might hear "via" (street) or "strada" instead. When speaking informally, Italians often drop the "di" and say "a nord qui" but the full form "a nord di qui" is considered more precise and is preferred in formal contexts.