Ask for Directions in Egyptian Arabic
عربيAsk: El mahatta fein? — Where’s the station? Answer: El mahatta henak, ba3d el-kobri 3ala tool. — The station is there, right after the bridge. Confirm: Aroo7 3ala tool? — Do I keep going straight? Answer: Aywa, 3ala tool. — Yes, straight ahead. This is one usable exchange, not a complete list of directions.
Words and phrases
- 3ala toolعلى طولOpen the full word →
The meaning depends on the construction: after a landmark, as in “ba3d el-kobri 3ala tool,” it means “right/immediately after”; with a movement verb, as in “aroo7 3ala tool?”, it means “straight ahead”; in habitual contexts, it means “all the time/continuously.”
تعني باستمرار، أو مباشرةً من غير توقف حسب السياق.
Example: هو بيتأخر على طول، وبعد كده بيروح على طول البيت.
- 2oddamقدامOpen the full word →
Means “in front of” a thing or person. Example: “Howa wa2ef 2oddam el-baab.”
في المكان اللي قدّام حاجة أو شخص؛ عكس ورا.
Example: هو واقف قدام الباب.
- henakهناكOpen the full word →
Points to a distant or previously mentioned place. Example: “El mahatta henak, ba3d el-kobri 3ala tool.”
إشارة لمكان بعيد أو مكان اتذكر قبل كده.
Example: المحطة هناك، بعد الكوبري على طول.
Got a different real-life use?
The dictionary grows from real usage. Add another meaning or example when you have one.