A1 Expression Neutral 3 min read

اذهب

idh-hab

Go

In 15 Seconds

  • The universal Arabic command for 'Go' or 'Leave'.
  • Changes slightly based on whether you talk to men or women.
  • Essential for directions, errands, and casual conversations.

Meaning

It's the most basic way to tell someone to 'go' or 'move along' in Arabic. You'll use it for everything from giving directions to a taxi driver to telling a friend to head home.

Key Examples

3 of 7
1

Ordering a taxi

روح يمين هون لو سمحت

Go right here, please.

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2

Telling a female friend to go to work

روحي على الشغل بسرعة

Go to work quickly.

<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>
3

Giving a task to a colleague

روح جيب الأوراق من المكتب

Go get the papers from the office.

<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>
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Cultural Background

In Egypt, 'اذهب' is almost never used in speech. You will hear 'روح' (ruh) or 'امشي' (imshi) instead. Similar to Egypt, 'روح' is the standard. 'اذهب' is reserved for formal writing or news. While 'اذهب' is understood, 'روح' is still preferred in daily life. Using 'اذهب' can sound like you are reading from a book. In formal speeches or literature, 'اذهب' is the only acceptable form.

💡

Gender Matters

Always check if you are speaking to a male or female. 'اذهب' is for males, 'اذهبي' for females.

⚠️

Tone is Everything

Because it is a direct command, your tone of voice determines if you sound helpful or rude.

In 15 Seconds

  • The universal Arabic command for 'Go' or 'Leave'.
  • Changes slightly based on whether you talk to men or women.
  • Essential for directions, errands, and casual conversations.

What It Means

روح is the absolute bread and butter of Arabic movement. It is the imperative form of the verb "to go." Think of it as your universal remote for getting things moving. It is short, punchy, and impossible to forget. Whether you are in a taxi or at home, you will hear this word constantly.

How To Use It

Using this word is a breeze. If you are talking to a man, just say روح. If you are speaking to a woman, add an "ee" sound: روحي. For a group of people, add an "oo" sound: روحوا. You don't need complex grammar here. Just point and say the word. It usually comes at the start of a sentence.

When To Use It

This word is perfect for daily life. Use it when giving directions to a driver. "Go straight" or "Go left" both start with روح. It is also great for sending someone on a quick errand. "Go get some bread" is a classic use case. You can even use it to encourage someone. If a friend is hesitant to enter a room, a gentle روح works wonders.

When NOT To Use It

Be careful with your vibe when using this. If you say it too loudly, it sounds like "Get out!" Avoid using it with your boss during a serious presentation. It is a bit too direct for high-level formal settings. In those cases, people use more polite verbs. Also, never use it with an angry face unless you want a fight. It can be very dismissive if you aren't careful.

Cultural Background

Here is a fun secret for you. The word روح also means "soul" or "spirit" in Arabic. While the verb and noun have different origins, they sound identical. This gives the word a poetic weight. When you tell someone to go, it is almost like you are telling their spirit to move. It is a core part of the Levantine and Egyptian dialects. You will hear it in every pop song and soap opera.

Common Variations

You will often hear it paired with يلا. يلا روح means "Come on, go!" It adds a sense of urgency. Another common one is روح نام, which means "Go to sleep." If you want someone to leave you alone, you might say روح من هون. That means "Go away from here." It is a versatile little word that fits into many phrases.

Usage Notes

This is a neutral-to-informal command. Use it freely in daily life, but avoid it in high-formality settings like courtrooms or formal speeches.

💡

Gender Matters

Always check if you are speaking to a male or female. 'اذهب' is for males, 'اذهبي' for females.

⚠️

Tone is Everything

Because it is a direct command, your tone of voice determines if you sound helpful or rude.

💬

Use Dialect

If you are in a casual setting, swap 'اذهب' for 'روح' to sound more like a local.

Examples

7
#1 Ordering a taxi
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

روح يمين هون لو سمحت

Go right here, please.

A standard way to give directions to a driver.

#2 Telling a female friend to go to work
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

روحي على الشغل بسرعة

Go to work quickly.

Notice the 'ee' ending for a female recipient.

#3 Giving a task to a colleague
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>

روح جيب الأوراق من المكتب

Go get the papers from the office.

Direct but acceptable in a busy work environment.

#4 Joking with a friend who won't leave
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

روح من هون! خلصنا!

Go away from here! We're done!

Used playfully when a friend is being annoying.

#5 Texting a friend to go to sleep
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

روح نام، الوقت متأخر

Go to sleep, it's late.

Commonly used in texts to show care or end a chat.

#6 Saying goodbye with a blessing
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M4.318 6.318a4.5 4.5 0 000 6.364L12 20.364l7.682-7.682a4.5 4.5 0 00-6.364-6.364L12 7.636l-1.318-1.318a4.5 4.5 0 00-6.364 0z"/></svg>

روح الله معك

Go, may God be with you.

A very common and beautiful way to say goodbye.

#7 Telling a group of kids to go play
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

روحوا العبوا برا

Go play outside.

The 'oo' ending is used for plural groups.

Test Yourself

Fill in the correct form of the verb 'to go' for a female listener.

____ إلى المدرسة يا مريم!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: اذهبي

For a female listener, we add the 'ee' suffix to the imperative.

Which sentence is grammatically correct for giving directions?

Choose the best option.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: اذهب إلى البيت

The verb 'dhahaba' requires the preposition 'ila' (to).

Match the Arabic command to the correct English meaning.

Match: 1. اذهب 2. اذهبي 3. اذهبوا

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Go (m), 2-Go (f), 3-Go (pl)

The suffixes change based on the number and gender of the people being addressed.

Complete the dialogue.

Passenger: '____ إلى الفندق من فضلك.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: اذهب

Addressing a male driver, the standard masculine imperative is used.

🎉 Score: /4

Visual Learning Aids

Practice Bank

4 exercises
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'to go' for a female listener. Fill Blank A1

____ إلى المدرسة يا مريم!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: اذهبي

For a female listener, we add the 'ee' suffix to the imperative.

Which sentence is grammatically correct for giving directions? Choose A1

Choose the best option.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: اذهب إلى البيت

The verb 'dhahaba' requires the preposition 'ila' (to).

Match the Arabic command to the correct English meaning. Match A2

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Go (m), 2-Go (f), 3-Go (pl)

The suffixes change based on the number and gender of the people being addressed.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A1

Passenger: '____ إلى الفندق من فضلك.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: اذهب

Addressing a male driver, the standard masculine imperative is used.

🎉 Score: /4

Frequently Asked Questions

12 questions

It depends on the context. In a classroom, it's normal. To a friend, it can sound bossy.

Use 'هيا بنا' (Hayya bina) or 'يلا' (Yalla).

It is a 'hamzat al-wasl', a helping vowel to make pronunciation easier.

Yes, but 'غادر' is more specific for leaving a place.

The word is understood everywhere, but rarely used in daily speech.

It is 'اذهبوا' (Idh-haboo).

Add 'من فضلك' (please) or 'لو سمحت'.

Yes, the past tense is 'ذهب' (dhahaba).

Yes, 'اذهب إلى الحفلة'.

People will understand you, but it will sound slightly ungrammatical.

Yes, often in dramatic or poetic songs.

Use 'لا تذهب' (La tadh-hab).

Related Phrases

🔗

انطلق

similar

Set off/depart

🔗

سافر

specialized form

Travel

🔗

غادر

similar

Leave

🔄

روح

synonym

Go

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