Asking for and Giving Directions

Asking where a place is

English	Darija
Where is… please? — masculine noun	fin kayn… 3afak?
Where is… please? — feminine noun	fin kayna… 3afak?
Is there a… nearby? — masculine	weš kayn ši… qrib?
Is there a… nearby? — feminine	weš kayna ši… qriba?

Giving directions

English	Darija
Go straight	sir nišan.
Turn right	ḍur 3l limn.
Turn left	ḍur 3l lisr.
Go forward a little	zid šwiya l qddam.
Pass the first street	fut z-znqa l-luwla.
The second street, yes	z-znqa t-tenya, iyeh.

Directions dialogue

Situation: Jason and Brahim are at the bus station.

English meaning: Jason asks Brahim where the train station is. Brahim gives directions: go straight to the third street, turn left, continue to the bar, and turn right. Jason thanks him, and they exchange a few words about where Jason is from before saying goodbye.

Map exercise

Using a map, give directions for these situations:

• Dave is at the hospital and wants to go to the post office.
• Anna is at the bus station and wants to go to the hotel.
• Stephen is at the market and wants to go to the cyber café.
• Hakim is at the store and wants to go to the hammam.