ayna

Getting Direction About Directions Understanding the format of the ` ayna question and reply structures is an important first step toward approaching native Arabic speakers and asking them for directions.

Arabic for Dummies Bouchentouf, Amine 2006

Asking "where" questions The best way to get directions-related information from Arabic speakers is to ask ` ayna (eh-yeh-nah; where) questions.

Arabic for Dummies Bouchentouf, Amine 2006

If you're going to visit Lebanon for more than two weeks, then it's necessary for you to obtain a visa. ` ayna yumkin ` an ` aHSul ` alaa ta'shiira li lubnaan? ay-nah yoom-keen ah ah-sool ah-lah tah-shee-rah lee loob-nan?

Arabic for Dummies Bouchentouf, Amine 2006

Luckily, the structure of an ` ayna question is relatively straightforward: You use ` ayna followed by the subject.

Arabic for Dummies Bouchentouf, Amine 2006

Choosing Your Destination When you decide to take a trip, ` ayna (ay-nah; where) to go is probably the biggest decision you face.

Arabic for Dummies Bouchentouf, Amine 2006

That's excellent! wa ` anti, ` ayna ta'maliina? wah ahn-tee, eh-yeh-nah tah-mah-lee-nah And you, where do you work?

Arabic for Dummies Bouchentouf, Amine 2006

So if you're asking where the hotel is located, you say, ` ayna al-funduq?

Arabic for Dummies Bouchentouf, Amine 2006

(Where is the hotel?) and not ` ayna funduq?, which translates to "Where is hotel?"

Arabic for Dummies Bouchentouf, Amine 2006

Asking for directions Of course, you can't just go up to someone and ask them bluntly, ` ayna al-funduq?

Arabic for Dummies Bouchentouf, Amine 2006

If you're speaking with a man and want to ask him where he's from, you use the phrase min ` ayna ` anta (min ay-na ann-ta).

Arabic for Dummies Bouchentouf, Amine 2006