امشِ على طول
imshi ‘alā ṭūl
The English phrase "go straight" is translated into Arabic as امشِ على طول (imshi ‘alā ṭūl).
Continue moving in the same direction without turning.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the verb امشِ, which is the imperative form of "to walk," and the adverbial phrase على طول, which literally means "along the length" or "straight ahead."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal context, you can use اذهب مباشرةً to say "go straight" or the more descriptive استمر على طول الطريق to say "continue straight on the road."
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase على طول is a very common way to say "straight ahead" or "directly" in spoken Levantine and Egyptian Arabic.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular imperative is امشِ, but when speaking to a woman, the form changes to امشي.
How do you pronounce it?
imshi ‘alā ṭūl
Did you know?
- While امشِ على طول is a common way to say 'go straight', many dialects use the word دغري (dughri) to mean the same thing. This word actually comes from the German 'gerade', meaning 'straight'.
- In some Gulf dialects, a person might use the word سيدة (sayyida) to mean 'straight ahead'. Interestingly, this is the same word used for the feminine noun 'lady'.
- The phrase على طول is used in spoken Arabic not only for directions but also to mean 'forever' or 'permanently'. For example, saying you will stay somewhere على طول means you are moving there for good.
Examples in context
- اذهب مباشرةً، وستجده على يساركGo straight, and you will find it on your left.
- امشِ على طول حتى تصل للشارع.imshi 'ala tul hatta tasil lil-shari'.Go straight until you reach the street.
- امشِ على طول ولا تلتفت.imshi 'ala tul wala taltafit.Go straight and do not turn.
- امشِ على طول في هذا الممر.imshi 'ala tul fi hadha al-mamarr.Go straight in this hallway.
Example conversation
Layla is giving directions to Omar in a park.
- ليلى Laylaيا عمر، امشِ على طول من هنا.ya 'umar, imshi 'ala tul min huna.Omar, go straight from here.
- عمر Omarهل هناك مطعم قريب؟hal hunaka mat'am qarib?Is there a restaurant nearby?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، امشِ على طول وستجده.na'am, imshi 'ala tul wa satajidu.Yes, go straight and you will find it.
- عمر Omarشكراً لكِ يا ليلى.shukran laki ya layla.Thank you, Layla.
