Language/Tatar/Vocabulary/Asking-for-Directions
Asking for directions is an essential skill when traveling to a new place. In this lesson, you will learn useful Tatar phrases for asking and giving directions, including expressions for distance, landmarks, and cardinal directions. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently navigate your way around Tatarstan.
After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Directions & Health.
Common Phrases
Here are some common Tatar phrases used when asking for directions:
| Tatar | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| йөнәлеш барысында, яңа орынға ҡарагыз! | yöneläş barısında, yanğa orenğa qaragız! | Look for a new place at the intersection! |
| сагатьнан икенче урман шигылыр. | saga'tnın ıkençe urman şigılïr. | Turn right after the second forest. |
| сол түндә, мүскереге бара. | sol tündä, müskerege bara. | Go straight ahead and turn left at the mosque. |
| бүлдір ның шәһәр ҡабатынан өтмәгәннән керә әйләнә. | büldir näñ şähär qabatından ötmägännän kerä älänä. | Don't take the road that leads to the center of Bulgar. |
Other phrases that may come in handy when asking for directions include:
- әйләнә - turn
- яҡшыртма - intersection
- урын - place
- терезә - traffic light
- якшы булырга - best way
- урынға яңа һайырлау - ask for a new address
- елемен тура - go straight
- сага/уңға - right/left
- автовокзала/автобус булырга - bus station/bus stop
Remember to use the polite form when asking for directions. A good way to start a conversation is by saying, "киңәш, магарыч" (kinäş, mağarïç) which means "excuse me, do you know...".
Cardinal Directions
Knowing the cardinal directions in Tatar can come in handy, especially when consulting a map or when directions are given using them. Here are the four cardinal directions in Tatar:
- шәһәр төбәге - north
- шәһәр үзәккә - south
- шәһәр көнбәтә - west
- шәһәр шөнбәр - east
Useful phrases for giving directions using the cardinal directions include:
- көнбәтәге - towards the west
- шөнбәргә - towards the east
- төбәгә - towards the north
- үзәккәгә - towards the south
For example, "дәгә шәһәр көнбәтәге күлеш акча?" (dägä şähär könbätäge küläş aqça?) means "Is the lake towards the west of the city?".
Landmarks and Distances
Landmarks and distances are also important when giving or following directions. Here are some phrases that can help:
- йолның үскәләриндә - at the crossroads
- бинарынан ары ҡурсагыз. - Pass the building on your left.
- күндә саған километр күрәшәк. - It's about a kilometer away.
- урыннар араһында - between places
- Китай үзәккәге һүнермен беренче һәрәкәткә уңға бүтәргәннән керә - Turn left after the first turn towards China.
Remember, distances are usually given in kilometers, and landmarks should be as specific as possible.
Example Dialogue
Here's an example of a dialogue between a lost traveler and a local:
Traveler: Киңәш, магарыч, Уфа автобус урыны ҡан, мен бармын? Kinäş, mağarïç, Ufa avtobus urını qan, men barmın?
Excuse me, do you know where the Ufa bus stop is?
Local: Аудармый, менде еш кондәнада Арифьев юл урыны беләннәй бар клуб төбәгендә, автовокзалнан нышан булсын. Audarmïy, mende yeş kondenada Arif'yev yul urını belänna'y bar klub tönägendä, avtovokzalnan nëşan bolsın.
Sorry, I don't know exactly, but there is a club near Arif'yev street and the bus station.
Traveler: Ратламачы мүмкин булырга башлыймын. Ratlamaçı mümkin bulyrga başlıymın.
Can you give me the start point?
Local: Йөнәлеш барысында, әнче урман туган кабатыннан 100 метр бүлдір ның шәһәр ҡабатына ҡаршы, автобус булыгы бар дүҙәккә. Yöneläş barısında, änçe urman tuğan qabatınnan 100 metr büldir näñ şähär qabatına qarşı, avtobus bulıgı bar dü'zäkkä.
At the intersection, 100 meters in front of the road leading to Bulgar, there is a bus stop.
Traveler: Рахмәт! Raxmät!
Thank you!
Practice Exercise
Here are some practice exercises to help you effectively ask and give directions in Tatar:
1. Ask the nearest food market from your location using the appropriate Tatar phrases 2. Give directions to a lost person to the nearest police station in Tatar 3. Imagine you are in the center of Kazan, and someone asks you for the closest subway station. Give him/her the directions in Tatar. 4. Ask what landmarks are nearby and how far they are from your location in Tatar.
Practice makes perfect! Consistently practicing the phrases in this lesson will go a long way in helping you navigate your way around Tatarstan.