In 15 Seconds
- The primary way to say 'go straight' in most Arabic dialects.
- Used for driving, walking, or telling someone to proceed immediately.
- Simple, effective, and essential for navigating any Arabic-speaking city.
Meaning
This is the standard way to tell someone to keep moving forward without turning. It is your ultimate 'GPS phrase' for navigating streets, malls, or even conversations.
Key Examples
3 of 6Giving directions to a taxi driver
يا أسطى، روح على طول وبعدين لف يمين.
Driver, go straight and then turn right.
Helping a friend find the kitchen
المطبخ هناك، روحي على طول.
The kitchen is there, go straight (to a female).
A receptionist helping a guest
روح على طول، المكتب في آخر الممر.
Go straight, the office is at the end of the hallway.
Cultural Background
In Egypt, you will almost never hear 'Idh-hab mubasharatan' in the street. Instead, everyone says 'Ala Tool' (على طول). If you say 'Idh-hab مباشرة', they will understand you but know you learned from a book. The word 'Dugri' is king here. It's used for directions and to describe a person's character. A 'Dugri' person is someone who doesn't lie or manipulate. In the Gulf, Modern Standard Arabic is more commonly used in official signage and GPS, but 'Sida' (سيدة) is a very common loanword from Hindi/Urdu used for 'straight'. Moroccans use 'Nishan' or 'Toul'. 'Nishan' is very common and implies precision, like hitting a target.
Tanween dropping
In casual speech, you can just say 'mubashara' without the 'tan' sound at the end.
Gender matters
Always remember to add the 'ee' sound (اذهبي) when talking to a woman.
In 15 Seconds
- The primary way to say 'go straight' in most Arabic dialects.
- Used for driving, walking, or telling someone to proceed immediately.
- Simple, effective, and essential for navigating any Arabic-speaking city.
What It Means
روح على طول is the bread and butter of Arabic directions. It literally translates to 'go on length,' but it simply means 'go straight.' You will hear this everywhere from the busy streets of Cairo to the hills of Amman. It is the verbal equivalent of a straight arrow on a signpost. It tells the listener to ignore all side streets and keep their current heading.
How To Use It
You use it as a command or a helpful suggestion. The word روح is the imperative form of 'to go' for a male. If you are talking to a woman, you say روحي على طول. For a group, it becomes روحوا على طول. It is usually placed at the start of your directions. You can repeat it for emphasis if the road is very long. Just point your hand forward and say it with confidence.
When To Use It
Use it when you are in a taxi and the driver looks confused. Use it when a tourist asks you where the nearest mosque is. It is also great in a large office building when someone is looking for the elevator. Sometimes, people use it metaphorically to mean 'go right now' or 'proceed immediately.' If a friend asks if they should start their homework, you might say روح على طول to mean 'get to it already!'
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if the path involves even a slight curve that changes the street name. Arabic speakers can be very literal with directions. If you say على طول and there is a fork in the road, the person might get lost. Also, avoid using it in extremely formal written letters. In those cases, more classical terms like استمر للأمام are preferred. Don't say it to your boss if they are walking toward you; it might sound like you're telling them to get lost!
Cultural Background
Navigating Middle Eastern cities can feel like solving a beautiful, ancient puzzle. Streets often wind and twist in ways that defy logic. Because of this, على طول is a comforting phrase. It promises simplicity in a world of complex alleyways. In some regions, like the Levant, you might hear the word دغري instead. However, على طول is understood by almost every Arabic speaker across the globe. It is the universal language of the road.
Common Variations
In Lebanon and Syria, you will often hear دغري which also means straight. In Egypt, they might say طوالي. If you want to say 'keep going straight,' you can add خليك to make it خليك ماشي على طول. This version is very common when you want someone to stay on a long highway. You might also hear بوشك, which literally means 'in your face,' implying you should go straight ahead.
Usage Notes
This phrase is incredibly versatile and safe to use in almost any daily interaction. While technically an imperative, it is rarely perceived as bossy when used for directions.
Tanween dropping
In casual speech, you can just say 'mubashara' without the 'tan' sound at the end.
Gender matters
Always remember to add the 'ee' sound (اذهبي) when talking to a woman.
The 'Dugri' hack
If you are in Lebanon or Syria, use 'Dugri' to sound like a local instantly.
Hand gestures
Accompany the phrase with a flat hand moving forward to be extra clear.
Examples
6يا أسطى، روح على طول وبعدين لف يمين.
Driver, go straight and then turn right.
A very common way to guide a driver through traffic.
المطبخ هناك، روحي على طول.
The kitchen is there, go straight (to a female).
Notice the change to 'ruhi' for a female friend.
روح على طول، المكتب في آخر الممر.
Go straight, the office is at the end of the hallway.
Professional yet helpful and direct.
أنا شايفك! روح على طول!
I see you! Go straight!
Used urgently when spotting someone in a crowd.
الأكل جاهز، روح على طول!
The food is ready, go right ahead!
Here it means 'start immediately' or 'don't wait.'
خليك ماشي في طريقك، روح على طول.
Keep walking your path, go straight ahead.
A more metaphorical, supportive use of the phrase.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct feminine form of the command.
يا فاطمة، _______ مباشرة إلى البيت.
The feminine singular imperative of 'dhahaba' is 'idhabee'.
Complete the phrase for 'Go straight'.
اذهب _________.
'Mubasharatan' is the standard adverb for 'straight/directly'.
What would the driver say?
Passenger: اذهب مباشرة من فضلك. Driver: _________.
'Hadir' (Ready/Certainly) is the standard polite response to a direction.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in a meeting and want to skip the introduction.
This is the figurative use meaning 'get to the point'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Regional Variations
Practice Bank
4 exercisesيا فاطمة، _______ مباشرة إلى البيت.
The feminine singular imperative of 'dhahaba' is 'idhabee'.
اذهب _________.
'Mubasharatan' is the standard adverb for 'straight/directly'.
Passenger: اذهب مباشرة من فضلك. Driver: _________.
'Hadir' (Ready/Certainly) is the standard polite response to a direction.
You are in a meeting and want to skip the introduction.
This is the figurative use meaning 'get to the point'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'اذهب مباشرة إلى السرير' is perfectly correct for children.
It is a command, so it can be blunt. Add 'min fadlak' (please) to be polite.
'Mubasharatan' means directly/without stopping, while 'mustaqiman' means in a straight line.
Say 'Ala Tool' (على طول).
Yes! 'Barth mubashir' (بث مباشر) means a live broadcast.
If there is a word before it, the 'i' (alif wasl) is skipped in pronunciation.
Yes, for example: 'Please go directly to the link' (يرجى الذهاب مباشرة إلى الرابط).
Use 'Idh-haboo' (اذهبوا).
The root is used, but the specific adverbial form is more common in post-classical Arabic.
Yes, that means 'Go right'.
Related Phrases
على طول
synonymStraight ahead (Egyptian)
دغري
synonymStraight ahead (Levantine)
اتجه يميناً
contrastTurn right
خلفك
contrastBehind you
إلى الأمام
similarForward
