انعطف يساراً
in'atif yasāran
The English phrase "turn left" is translated into Arabic as انعطف يساراً (in'atif yasāran).
This phrase is used to give a direction to a person or a driver to change their course toward the left.
What does it mean word for word?
The word يساراً (yasāran) functions as an adverb meaning "to the left" or "on the left side".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The forms انعطف يساراً and انعطف إلى اليسار are used in a formal manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form انعطف يساراً is the masculine singular imperative used for giving a command or direction. To address a female, the verb changes to انعطفي (in'atifī). To address a group of people, the verb changes to انعطفوا (in'atifū).
How do you pronounce it?
in'atif yasāran
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, people use the word شمال (shimāl) for 'left', which is the same word used for 'north' in Modern Standard Arabic.
- While انعطف means 'turn', the root letters are shared with words meaning 'to bend' or 'to show compassion', suggesting a 'bending' of the heart.
- In many Arabic dialects, people rarely use the formal verb انعطف (in'atif) for directions, opting instead for the much simpler word لف (luff), which literally means 'to wrap' or 'to roll'.
Examples in context
- توجه مباشرة ثم انعطف يسارًا عند الزاوية التالية.Go straight ahead and then turn left at the next corner.
- انعطف يساراً عند الإشارة.in'atif yasāran 'ind al-ishāra.Turn left at the traffic light.
- انعطف يساراً بعد هذا المبنى.in'atif yasāran ba'da hādhā al-mabnā.Turn left after this building.
Example conversation
Omar is giving driving directions to Nour.
- عمر Omarانعطف يساراً في نهاية الطريق يا نور.In'atif yasaran fi nihayat al-tariq ya Nour.Turn left at the end of the road, Nour.
- نور Nourهل هذا هو الطريق الصحيح؟Hal hadha huwa al-tariq al-sahih?Is this the correct road?
- عمر Omarنعم، هذا الطريق يؤدي إلى المركز.Na'am, hadha al-tariq yu'addi ila al-markaz.Yes, this road leads to the center.
- نور Nourحسناً، سأفعل ذلك الآن.Hasanan, sa'af'alu dhalika al-an.Okay, I will do that now.
