Directions

1. Hoteela eessa jira?

   Where is the hotel?

   Usage

   Ask where the hotel is. Swap in another place name (Baankii, Hospitaala) for other places.

   Grammar Note

   hoteela = hotel, eessa = where, jira = is (located).

2. Gara mirga deemi.

   Go to the right.

   Usage

   Imperative for giving directions. Use deemaa instead of deemi for several people or elders.

   Grammar Note

   gara = toward, mirga = right, deemi = go (sing. imperative). This sentence is composed from verified words with regular grammar; it is not copied from a source sentence. A native check is advisable.

3. Gara bitaa deemi.

   Go to the left.

   Usage

   Imperative for giving directions. Use deemaa for several people or elders.

   Grammar Note

   bitaa = left. Not to be confused with bituu 'to buy'. This sentence is composed from verified words with regular grammar; it is not copied from a source sentence. A native check is advisable.

4. Fuula duratti deemi.

   Go straight ahead.

   Usage

   Directions: go forward. Use deemaa for several people or elders.

   Grammar Note

   fuula dura = front, -tti = to, deemi = go; literally 'go to the front'. This sentence is composed from verified words with regular grammar; it is not copied from a source sentence. A native check is advisable.

5. Achi fagoo dhaa?

   Is it far there?

   Usage

   Ask whether a place is far. Answers: dhiyoo dha (near) or fagoo dha (far).

   Grammar Note

   achi = there, fagoo = far, dha = is, -aa = question ending.

6. Maaloo, kaartaa irratti natti agarsiisi.

   Please show me on the map.

   Usage

   Ask someone to point out a place on a map. Use agarsiisaa for several people or elders.

   Grammar Note

   kaartaa = map, irratti = on, natti agarsiisi = show it to me.

7. Buufata atoobisii as dhihoo jiraa?

   Is there a bus station nearby?

   Usage

   Ask whether a bus station is close by.

   Grammar Note

   buufata = station, as dhihoo = near here, jiraa = is there?

8. Karaan kun qajeelaa dhaa?

   Is this the right way?

   Usage

   Check that you are on the right road.

   Grammar Note

   karaa = road, -n = subject marker, kun = this, qajeelaa = right/straight. This sentence is composed from verified words with regular grammar; it is not copied from a source sentence. A native check is advisable.

9. Nan bade. Maaloo, na gargaaraa.

   I am lost. Please help me.

   Usage

   Say you are lost and ask for help. gargaaraa is the plural/polite form.

   Grammar Note

   nan bade = I am lost (bade = got lost/vanished), na gargaaraa = help me (pl/polite).

10. Duubatti deebi'i.

    Please go back.

    Usage

    Tell someone to turn back the way they came.

    Grammar Note

    duubatti = backward, deebi'i = return (sing. imperative).

11. Mirga

    Right

    Usage

    Direction word.

    Grammar Note

    mirga = right (side); also means 'right' as in entitlement.

12. Bitaa

    Left

    Usage

    Direction word.

    Grammar Note

    bitaa = left. Keep the long vowel aa.

13. Kaabaa

    North

    Usage

    Compass direction.

    Grammar Note

    kaabaa = north.

14. Kibba

    South

    Usage

    Compass direction.

    Grammar Note

    kibba = south. bb is a geminate consonant.

15. Bahaa

    East

    Usage

    Compass direction. Also appears as 'exit' on signs.

    Grammar Note

    bahaa = east (also spelled baha).

16. Dhihaa

    West

    Usage

    Compass direction.

    Grammar Note

    dhihaa = west (also spelled dhiha). dh is an implosive consonant.

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