Knowing how to ask for and understand directions is essential for getting around in Israel. Hebrew direction commands also depend on the gender of the person you're speaking to.
Direction Words
| Hebrew | Transliteration | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| יְמִינָה | yamina | (to the) right | Direction of movement |
| יָמִין | yamin | right (position) | Where something IS |
| שְׂמֹאלָה | smola | (to the) left | Direction of movement |
| שְׂמֹאל | smol | left (position) | Where something IS |
| יָשָׁר | yashar | straight (ahead) | Also means "honest / direct" |
| אָחוֹרָה | achora | backwards | The opposite direction |
| צָפוֹן | tsafon | north | |
| דָּרוֹם | darom | south | |
| מִזְרָח | mizrach | east | |
| מַעֲרָב | ma'arav | west |
Direction Commands (m and f forms)
| Hebrew (m) | Hebrew (f) | Transliteration (m) | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| פְּנֵה יְמִינָה | פְּנִי יְמִינָה | Pne yamina | Turn right |
| פְּנֵה שְׂמֹאלָה | פְּנִי שְׂמֹאלָה | Pne smola | Turn left |
| לֵךְ יָשָׁר | לְכִי יָשָׁר | Lech yashar | Go straight |
| עֲצֹר | עִצְרִי | Atsor | Stop |
| הַמְשֵׁךְ יָשָׁר | הַמְשִׁיכִי יָשָׁר | Hamshech yashar | Continue straight |
| חֲזֹר אָחוֹרָה | חִזְרִי אָחוֹרָה | Chazor achora | Go back |
Useful Direction Phrases
| Hebrew | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| אֵיפֹה...? | Eifo...? | Where is...? |
| אֵיךְ מַגִּיעִים לְ...? | Eich magi'im le...? | How do you get to...? |
| כַּמָּה זְמַן לָלֶכֶת? | Kama zman lalechet? | How long does it take to walk? |
| זֶה קָרוֹב? | Ze karov? | Is it close? |
| אֲנִי אָבוּד | Ani avud | I'm lost (male speaker) |
| אֲנִי אֲבוּדָה | Ani avuda | I'm lost (female speaker) |
| תַּעֲזֹר לִי, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | Ta'azor li, bevakasha | Help me, please (asking a man) |