How to Say "Direction" in Arabic

اتجاه

ittijāh

In Arabic, the word for direction is اتجاه (ittijāh).

While اتجاه can mean guidance or instruction in certain contexts, it most commonly refers to a physical direction or a course of movement.

Meaning: guidance, instruction (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is derived from the root 'w-j-h' (و–ج–ه), which relates to the face or the front of something.

The plural form of اتجاه is اتّجاهات.

ittijāh

Arabic is written from right to left, meaning the 'natural' direction of a page is the opposite of English. This influences how directions are mapped out in visual diagrams and layout design.
The plural اتّجاهات is commonly used in modern Arabic media to describe 'trends' or 'currents' in politics or fashion.
Because the root refers to the 'face', the Arabic word for 'surface' or 'facet' of a geometric shape is also derived from the same root as اتجاه.

غير خنفوس الروث اتجاهه.
The dung beetle turned in another direction.
This sentence is useful for seeing how to use اتجاه to describe a change in movement.
Tatoeba #11961541 by dididodo, translation #11815789 by Amastan
عفوًا، هل يمكنك أن تخبرني بالطريق إلى أقرب متحف، من فضلك؟
Excuse me, can you tell me the way to the nearest museum, please?
أبحث عن محطة الحافلات المركزية. هل يمكنك إرشادي؟
I'm looking for the central bus station. Can you give me directions?
كيف يمكنني الوصول إلى المطار من هنا؟
How can I get to the airport from here?
بتقدر توريني الطريق لأقرب سوبرماركت؟
Can you show me the way to the nearest supermarket?

Ziyad and Maryam are lost while walking in the city.

زياد Ziad

مريم، هل تعرفين اتجاه الساحة؟
Maryam, hal ta'rifina ittijah as-saha?
Maryam, do you know the direction to the square?
مريم Maryam

لا يا زياد، أنا تائهة أيضاً.
La ya Ziyad, ana ta'iha aydan.
No Ziyad, I am lost too.
زياد Ziad

دعنا نسأل هذا الرجل عن اتجاه الطريق.
Da'na nas'al hadha ar-rajul 'an ittijah at-tariq.
Let's ask this man for the direction of the road.
مريم Maryam

هذه فكرة جيدة جداً.
Hadhihi fikra jayyida jiddan.
That is a very good idea.

Sources

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