Language/Standard-moroccan-tamazight/Vocabulary/Asking-for-Directions
As a beginner in Tamazight, it’s important to learn how to ask for and understand directions. This will come in handy whether you’re visiting Morocco or just need directions in a Tamazight-speaking area. In this lesson, you will learn how to ask for directions, and the vocabulary you need to understand the responses.
Vocabulary
Here are some key words and phrases you’ll need to know when asking for directions in Tamazight:
| Standard Moroccan Tamazight | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ها شحال كيدير ليا أحسن ؟ (ha sh7al kideer lia a7ssan?) | Ha sh-haal kidir lia ahsan? | What’s the best way for me to go? |
| شنو الطريق / الواي (chno ttari9 / lowaay) | Shno t-tari9 / lowaay | What’s the path / way? |
| يمشي ليا لمادير (ymshy lia lmadir) | Ymshi lia lmadir | Walk with me to [the place] |
| كيف ! (kiyeef!) | Kife! | How?! |
| ديگ الخريطة (degg lkharyta) | Deg l-kharyta | Show me the map |
| درت دبافر للطريق (dart dbaver l-ttari9) | Dart dbaver l-tari9 | I lost my way |
| الله يخليك (allah ykhleek) | Allah ykhlik | Please, can you help me? |
Grammar
When asking for directions, there are a few key grammatical structures that you should be aware of.
Firstly, the word “كيدير” (kidir) is often used in Tamazight to ask advice or guidance from someone. It can be translated to “what should I do” in English.
Secondly, the word “الوّاي” (lowaay) is a common way to refer to a path, route or way in Tamazight. It can be used as a standalone question, “شنو الواي” (what’s the way?) or in a sentence, for example “هاذ الواي زاهية” (this path is bright).
Thirdly, the words “دير” (dir) and “درت” (dart) are used when informing someone that you have lost your way. These verbs mean to lose, and they come before the noun or pronoun. For example, “درت الطريق” (I lost the way) or “درت دوز (I lost myself).
Finally, the word “يمشي” (ymshi) is used to describe walking or traveling by foot. This verb is often used on its own to describe walking with someone to a certain location, as in the phrase “يمشي ليا للمدينة” (walk with me to the city).
Examples
Here are some examples of how to use the vocabulary and grammar above in a conversation:
Person A: ها شحال كيدير ليا أحسن ؟ (What’s the best way for me to go?) Person B: مشي للشارع الثاني على يسارك، مزيان (Walk to the second street on your left-hand side, it’s good).
Person A: ديرت دبافر للطريق, شنو ندير الآن؟ (I lost my way, what do I do now?) Person B: رجع رالخدمة اللي فطالتيها قبل، و بعد لف جهة اليمين (Go back to the service you passed earlier, then turn right).
Person A: كيف نروح للكافي ؟ (How do we get to the cafe?) Person B: قصدك الكافي دالفلان ? مشي او اخد لاوتوبيس رقم ٢٤ (Do you mean the café of so-and-so? Walk or take bus number 24).
Practice
To solidify your understanding of asking for directions in Tamazight, try to practice asking a native speaker or a friend for directions to a place in Tamazight.
As you practice, try to use the key vocabulary and grammar structures learned in this lesson. Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything at first, with practice, you’ll get better.
Now, let’s move on to the next lesson and learn about transportation in Tamazight.