Directions

1. وين هاذا؟

   wīn hādhā?

   Where is this?

   Usage

   Ask while showing a map or an address.

   Grammar Note

   The question word comes first. A sentence assembled from attested words.

2. كيفاش نوصل للأوتيل؟

   kīfāsh nūṣel l-l-ūtīl?

   How do I get to the hotel?

   Usage

   Ask how to reach your lodging when you are unsure of the way.

   Grammar Note

   "Arrive" is "waṣal"; "l-" joins with "l-ūtīl". A sentence assembled from attested words.

3. دور على اليسار

   dūr ʿlā l-yasār

   Turn left

   Usage

   Used in directions for a left turn. People also say "qūsh", but "yasār" is the standard word here.

   Grammar Note

   "shmāl" means north and is not used for left. A sentence assembled from attested words.

4. دور على اليمين

   dūr ʿlā l-yemīn

   Turn right

   Usage

   Used in directions for a right turn.

   Grammar Note

   The imperative is used for everyone. A sentence assembled from attested words.

5. امشي طول

   imshi ṭūl

   Go straight ahead

   Usage

   Used in directions to say keep going straight.

   Grammar Note

   "ṭūl" means "straight, all the way". A sentence assembled from attested words.

6. قريب ولا بعيد؟

   qrīb wellā bʿīd?

   Is it near or far?

   Usage

   Check whether it is within walking distance.

   Grammar Note

   "wellā" is "or" in a choice question. A sentence assembled from attested words.

7. قداش من دقيقة بالمشي؟

   qaddāsh men dqīqa b-l-mashy?

   How many minutes on foot?

   Usage

   Check how long the walk will take.

   Grammar Note

   Asking a number is "qaddāsh men + noun". A sentence assembled from attested words.

8. تنجم توريني على الخريطة؟

   tnajjem twarrīni ʿlā l-khrīṭa?

   Can you show me on the map?

   Usage

   When spoken directions are hard to follow, ask to be shown on a map.

   Grammar Note

   "warra" (show) plus the "me" suffix -ni; the same for both genders. A sentence assembled from attested words.

9. ضيعت الثنية

   ḍayyaʿt th-thniyya

   I am lost

   Usage

   The first line when you are lost and need a local's help; the same for men and women.

   Grammar Note

   Literally "I lost the way".

10. هاذا الطريق يمشي للسوق؟

    hādhā ṭ-ṭrīq yemshi l-s-sūq?

    Does this road lead to the market?

    Usage

    At a fork, check you are heading the right way.

    Grammar Note

    A road "goes" with "mshā". A sentence assembled from attested words.

11. يمين

    yemīn

    Right

    Usage

    A direction word; "ʿlā l-yemīn" is "to the right".

    Grammar Note

    With the article it is "l-yemīn".

12. يسار

    yasār

    Left

    Usage

    A direction word; "qūsh" also occurs, but "yasār" is the safer choice.

    Grammar Note

    "shmāl" is north, not left.

13. طول

    ṭūl

    Straight ahead

    Usage

    A direction word, often heard as "imshi ṭūl".

    Grammar Note

    Used as an adverb after the verb.

14. ارجع

    irjaʿ

    Go back

    Usage

    Said when you have gone too far and need to turn back.

    Grammar Note

    An imperative to one person; for several people say "irjaʿu".

15. وقف هنا من فضلك

    waqqef hna min faḍlek

    Please stop here

    Usage

    Tell a taxi or louage driver where you want to get off.

    Grammar Note

    "waqqef" is the imperative for stopping a vehicle. A sentence assembled from attested words.

16. شمال

    shmāl

    North

    Usage

    A compass word; it does not mean left.

    Grammar Note

    North is "shmāl", left is "yasār".

17. جنوب

    janūb

    South

    Usage

    A compass word; the desert lies in this direction.

    Grammar Note

    Same form as in Standard Arabic.

18. شرق

    sharq

    East

    Usage

    A compass word.

    Grammar Note

    Same form as in Standard Arabic.

19. غرب

    gharb

    West

    Usage

    A compass word.

    Grammar Note

    Same form as in Standard Arabic.

20. وين المترو؟

    wīn l-mitrū?

    Where is the metro?

    Usage

    For the Tunis "metro", which is a surface light rail rather than an underground line.

    Grammar Note

    "mitrū" comes from French "métro". A sentence assembled from attested words.

21. وين السفارة؟

    wīn s-sfāra?

    Where is the embassy?

    Usage

    Ask for your own embassy when you have a document problem.

    Grammar Note

    Adding a country gives "sfārt l-yābān". A sentence assembled from attested words.

22. وين الديستريبتور؟

    wīn d-dīstrībtūr?

    Where is the ATM?

    Usage

    Look for a cash machine.

    Grammar Note

    "dīstrībtūr" comes from French "distributeur". A sentence assembled from attested words.

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