Learn Arabic Words and Phrases: Directions

Asmaa Akl

01 Dec 2019

Learning your directions in Arabic is an extremely important step to learn Arabic for practical use in the Arab world. Our goal is to prevent you from getting lost, literally! So, let us lead the way and explain more about directions in Arabic:

The main way to ask for directions is Where -أين Pronounced as Aein. To which the answer includes one of the following directions.

 

The Arabic words for (Right - Left - Up - Down)

 

To the Right (إلى اليمين) pronounced as Ila Al Yameen:

In Islamic etiquette, the prophet Muhammad PBUH said: "Mention Allah's Name (i.e., say Bismillah), eat with your right (Yameenak) hand, and eat from what is in front of you." (al-Bukhari 740)
‏ "‏ يا غلام سم الله تعالى، وكل بيمينك، وكل مما يليك‏"‏

 

To the Left (إلى اليسار) prounounced as Ila Al Yasar:

Another form for it would be شمال pronounced as Shimal and is the opposite of Yameen.

The prophet PBUH encouraged us to do everything using our right side hands and legs, for the left is the way of Shaitan (the devil).

“When one of you eats he should eat with his right hand, and when he drinks he should drink with his right hand, for the devil eats and drinks with his left hand.” (Muslim 1911)

“إذا أكل أحدكم فليأكل بيمينه وإذا شرب فليشرب بيمينه فإن الشيطان يأكل بشماله ويشرب بشماله”

 

Here are a couple of examples to explain how you can use the Arabic words Yameen -يمين and Yasar -يسار:

 

Where is the shop?	أين المتجر؟
Head right and then left?	اتجه إلى اليمين ثم إلى اليسار

 

Up -فوق pronounced as Fawq and its opposite down -تحت pronounced as Taht:

 

Where should I look to see the stars?	أين أنظر حتى أرى النجوم؟
Look up!	أنظر إلى فوق

 

The Arabic words for (Next to – Around – In Front of – Behind)

 

Next to -بجوار pronounced as Bigiwaror بجانب pronounced as Biganib

 

Where is the hospital?	أين المستشفى؟
It's next to the shop!	إنها بجوار / بجانب المتجر

 

Around -حول pronounced as Hawl

 

Where is my pen?	أين قلمي؟
Look around the table.	انظر حول الطاولة.

 

In Front of -أمام pronounced as Amamand its opposite Behind-خلفpronounced as Khalf.

 

Where is the whiteboard?	أين السبورة البيضاء؟
It's in front of the desk	إنها أمام المكتب

 

The Arabic Words for (Cardinal Directions)

There are four cardinal directions, North -شمال pronounced as Shamal, its opposite South -جنوب pronounced as Januub and East -شرق pronounced as Sharq, its opposite West -غرب pronounced as Gharb. There are also the combinations of cardinal directions such as:

 

North east	شمال شرق	Shamal sharq
South east	جنوب شرق	Januubsharq
North west	شمال غرب	Shamal gharb
South west	جنوب غرب	Januubgharb

 

For a more comprehensive understanding of the Arabic language checkour Learn Arabic classes online . We at Nour Academy strive to deliver the best possible learning experience. We hope this article helped you learn Arabic words and phrases that can help you find your way. If you’re interested in learning more Arabic words and phrases, check our articles in the series: Learn Arabic words and phrases, and stay tuned for more.