Meaning
Directional phrase, indicating the left side.
Cultural Background
The right hand is used for eating and greeting. Using the left hand (al-yasar) for these tasks is considered impolite. In Egypt, people often use 'shimal' instead of 'yasar' in daily speech. If you say 'yasar', they will understand, but 'shimal' sounds more local. In Moroccan Darija, 'left' is often 'l-isra'. The MSA 'ila al-yasar' is reserved for formal education and news. Directional clarity is very important in the winding streets of old cities like Damascus. 'Ila al-yasar' is often accompanied by hand gestures.
Use your hands
In the Arab world, directions are very visual. Always point when you say 'إلى اليسار' to ensure you are understood.
The 'Shimal' Trap
Be careful in Egypt; 'shimal' is the king of 'left', but in a formal test, use 'yasar'.
Meaning
Directional phrase, indicating the left side.
Use your hands
In the Arab world, directions are very visual. Always point when you say 'إلى اليسار' to ensure you are understood.
The 'Shimal' Trap
Be careful in Egypt; 'shimal' is the king of 'left', but in a formal test, use 'yasar'.
Add 'Min Fadlak'
Always add 'min fadlak' (please) when giving directions to a driver: 'إلى اليسار، من فضلك'.
The Right Hand Rule
Even if you are turning left, remember to use your right hand to point or hand over money to the driver!
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to say 'To the left'.
اذهب ____ اليسار.
The preposition 'إلى' (ila) is used for movement towards a direction.
Which phrase means 'The bank is on the left'?
البنك...
'على اليسار' (ala al-yasar) is used for static locations.
Complete the dialogue with the correct directional phrase.
سائق التاكسي: أين أنعطف؟ أنت: ____ من فضلك.
When telling a driver where to turn, 'إلى اليسار' is the most natural and grammatically correct form.
Match the Arabic phrase to the situation.
You are pointing to a photo on the left side of a page.
'انظر' (unzhur) means 'look', which fits the situation of pointing at a photo.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Movement vs. Position
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاذهب ____ اليسار.
The preposition 'إلى' (ila) is used for movement towards a direction.
البنك...
'على اليسار' (ala al-yasar) is used for static locations.
سائق التاكسي: أين أنعطف؟ أنت: ____ من فضلك.
When telling a driver where to turn, 'إلى اليسار' is the most natural and grammatically correct form.
You are pointing to a photo on the left side of a page.
'انظر' (unzhur) means 'look', which fits the situation of pointing at a photo.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIn Modern Standard Arabic, 'yasar' is 'left' and 'shimal' is 'North'. However, in many dialects, 'shimal' is the common word for 'left'.
Yes, just like in English, 'the left' (al-yasar) refers to progressive or socialist political ideologies.
The noun 'yasar' is masculine. However, the adjective for 'left' (as in 'left hand') is 'yusra', which is feminine.
Use 'على اليسار' (ala al-yasar).
In Arabic, directions are treated as definite concepts, so they almost always take the definite article 'al-'.
Yes, the Quran uses terms like 'Ashab al-Ma'shama' or 'Ashab al-Shimal' for those on the left, often in a symbolic sense.
Only if you follow it with another noun, like 'ila yasar al-bayt' (to the left of the house).
Yes, it is the standard term taught in schools and used in all official documents and GPS systems across the Arab world.
The opposite is 'إلى اليمين' (ila al-yamin), which means 'to the right'.
It is a clear 'y' sound, like in the English word 'yes'.
Related Phrases
إلى اليمين
contrastTo the right
على اليسار
similarOn the left
مباشرة
builds onStraight ahead
جهة اليسار
specialized formThe left side/direction
يساراً
synonymLeftward
