Do I have to turn right or left?
des-TRA — stress on second syllable. si-NIS-tra — stress on second syllable.
When you are at a junction and unsure which direction to take.
'Devo girare' (do I have to turn) uses 'dovere' for necessity. 'A destra' (to the right) and 'a sinistra' (to the left) are fundamental direction words. These four words — dritto (straight), destra (right), sinistra (left), indietro (back) — are the core vocabulary of Italian directions.
Devo andare a destra o dritto?
Do I have to turn right or go straight?
Choosing between two paths
È a destra?
Is it on the right?
Simple confirmation question
Destra o sinistra al semaforo?
Right or left at the traffic light?
Very concise — both understood clearly
A classic Italian cultural moment: a local giving directions with great confidence, then second-guessing themselves. It is always a good idea to confirm directions with two or three different people if possible — Italian directional instructions can sometimes contradict each other charmingly. Google Maps is your most reliable backup.