Unfortunately it’s not quite as simple as learning the word for 'where' in Arabic and a few Arabic road signs - as you may have already guessed, understanding the directions you are given can be more challenging than asking the questions!
But don’t worry, a little practice is all you need – listen to the Arabic pronunciation in the audio and say the Arabic words and phrases aloud, as you imagine yourself strolling around Cairo or Alexandria.
Resources for further reading:
Pronunciation help for directions in Arabic
Practice Your Pronunciation With Rocket Record
Rocket Record lets you perfect your Arabic pronunciation. Just listen to the native speaker audio and then use the microphone icon to record yourself. Once you’re done, you’ll get a score out of 100 on your pronunciation and can listen to your own audio playback. (Use a headset mic for best results.) Problems? Click here!
ممكن تقوللي محطة القطر فين, لو سمحت؟
Momken t2oly ma7atet el 2atr feyn, lao sama7t?
Can you please tell me where the train station is?
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اروح محطة القطر ازاي؟
Arou7 ma7atet el 2atr ezay?
How do I get to the train station?
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حضرتك تعرف محطة القطر فين؟
7adretak te3raf ma7atet el 2atr feyn?
Do you know where the train station is? (formal)
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تعرف محطة القطر فين؟
Te3raf ma7atet el 2atr fen?
Do you know where the train station is? (casual)
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Another more complete way of asking for directions is by saying…
بعد اذن حضرتك! ممكن تقوللي فين محطة القطر من فضلك؟
Ba3d ezn 7adretak! Momken t2oly feyn ma7atet el 2atr men fudluk?
Excuse me! Could you please tell me where the train station is? (formal)
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ممكن تقوللي فين محطة القطر من فضلك؟
Momken t2oly ma7atet el 2atr fen, men fudluk?
Excuse me please! Could you please tell me where the train station is? (casual)
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Here’s a list of some places you might like to go to and places you may pass on the way to getting there.
شركة الطيران
Sherket el tayaran
The travel agency
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الشارع
El share3
The street
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المول
El mall
The shopping center
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المركز التاريخي
El markaz el taree7'y
The historic center
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قسم البوليس
2esm el police
The police station
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الستشفى
El mostashfa
The hospital
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الجنينة
El genena
The park
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التاون هول
El town hall
The town hall
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الحمامات العمومية
El 7amamat el 3momeya
The public restrooms
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وسط البلد
West el balad
The town center
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الحي
El 7ay
The suburb
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جنينة البيرا
Genenet el beera
The beer garden
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الاثار
El 2asar
The monument
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البار
El bar
The bar
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Here are some words and phrases you might get to hear when asking for directions…
للجنوب
Lelganoob
To the south
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جنب
ganb
Next to
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قدام
odam
In front of
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الكبري
El kobry
The bridge
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الناصية
El nasyah
The corner
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الشارع اللي بعد الجاي.
El share3 ely ba3d el gayye.
The street after the next.
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الشارع اللي جاي على اليمين.
El share3 ely gayye 3la el yemeen.
The next street to the right.
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الشارع اللي جاي على الشمال.
El share3 ely gayye 3la el shemal.
The next street to the left.
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على الناصية
3la el nasyah
Around the corner
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للشرق
Lelshar2
To the east
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شمال
Shemal
Left
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للشمال
Lelshamal
To the north
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للغرب
Lel3'arb
To the west
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في اول
Fee awel
At the beginning of
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في آخر
Fee a7'er
At the end of
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دوغري
Do3'ry
Straight
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لليمين
Lelyemeen
To the right
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للشمال
Lelshemal
To the left
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يمين
Yemeen
Right
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When someone gives you directions, they’ll tell you that you need to take such-and-such street; turn left, and then follow another street…
خد
7'od
Take…
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عدي
3addy
Cross
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اتبع
Etba3
Follow
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روح
Rou7
Go
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Now, you might want to know whether it is far or not…
هو بعيد اوي؟
Howa be3eed awy?
Is it very far?
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هو بعيد.
Howa be3eed.
It's far.
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هو مش بعيد.
Howa mesh be3eed.
It's not far.
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هو قريب؟
Howa orayeb?
Is it close by?
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هو قريب.
Howa orayeb.
It's close by.
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هو مش قريب.
Howa mesh orayeb.
It's not close by.
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That’s it for this lesson. I hope you enjoyed the lesson!
Here are a few recommended Arabic lessons to try next!
- In case of an emergency in Arabic.
- Talking about your emotions in Arabic is a great way to connect with local people.
- This lesson is all about describing your face in Arabic.
!مع السلامة (Ma3a essalama!) Goodbye!
Amira Zaki: Rocket Arabic
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