A method for operating a navigation system, in particular in a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: determining an upcoming waypoint of a route, which is planned by the navigation system, with respect to which an item of navigation information is to be output to a user, ascertaining surroundings data relating to the surroundings of the waypoint, ascertaining at least one reference object, which is located in the surroundings of the waypoint, from the surroundings data, assigning a verbal designation to the reference object, preparing the navigation information comprising the designation, and acoustically outputting the navigation information.