A1 Collocation Neutral 5 min read

يذهب إلى العمل.

yadhhab ila al-'amal.

Go to work.

Literally: {"\u064a\u0630\u0647\u0628":"goes","\u0625\u0644\u0649":"to","\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0645\u0644":"the work"}

In 15 Seconds

  • Standard phrase for commuting to a job.
  • Literally means 'he goes to the work'.
  • Used in daily routines and work discussions.
  • Neutral formality, widely understood.

Meaning

This is your go-to phrase for heading out to your job each day. It’s the standard way to say you're leaving home to start your workday. Think of it as the verbal signal that your personal time is over and your professional duties are beginning. It carries the vibe of routine, responsibility, and the daily grind, but also the purpose of earning a living.

Key Examples

3 of 12
1

Texting a friend

أنا ذاهب إلى العمل الآن، سأتصل بك لاحقًا.

I am going to work now, I will call you later.

<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>
2

WhatsApp status update

صباح الخير! يوم جديد، فرصة جديدة. `أذهب إلى العمل` بكل حماس.

Good morning! New day, new opportunity. I go to work with all enthusiasm.

<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

Planning a meeting

هل يمكنك الاجتماع غدًا؟ أنا `أذهب إلى العمل` مبكرًا.

Can you meet tomorrow? I go to work early.

<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>
🌍

Cultural Background

In Egypt, people often say 'رايح الشغل' (ra'ih el-shughl) dropping the preposition entirely in casual speech.

💡

Listen for the 'dh'

Ensure you pronounce the 'dh' (ذ) correctly; it is a voiced interdental fricative.

In 15 Seconds

  • Standard phrase for commuting to a job.
  • Literally means 'he goes to the work'.
  • Used in daily routines and work discussions.
  • Neutral formality, widely understood.

What It Means

This phrase, يذهب إلى العمل (yadhhab ila al-'amal), is the most straightforward way to say 'go to work' in Arabic. It literally means 'he goes to the work'. It’s used for the daily commute, the act of traveling from your home to your place of employment. It’s super common and instantly understood by everyone. It’s the bread and butter of daily routine descriptions.

How To Use It

You use يذهب إلى العمل when you're talking about the act of going to your job. It's a verb phrase, so it fits into sentences describing someone's actions. You can use it for yourself, for others, or in general statements. For instance, you might say 'I go to work early' or 'He goes to work by bus'. The subject of the sentence will change the verb form, but the core إلى العمل (to the work) stays the same.

Real-Life Examples

Imagine your friend texts you: 'Where are you?' You might reply, 'I أذهب إلى العمل' (I go to work). Or you're watching a show, and a character says, 'It's 7 AM, time to يذهب إلى العمل!' It’s that simple. On a job interview Zoom call, you might mention, 'My typical day starts when I أذهب إلى العمل around 8 AM.' It’s used in everyday chats, social media updates, and even formal reports. It’s everywhere!

When To Use It

Use this phrase whenever you need to describe the action of heading to your job. It’s perfect for daily routines, explaining your schedule, or talking about someone else's commute. If you're planning your day, you'd say, 'After breakfast, I أذهب إلى العمل.' It works for any type of job, whether you're a doctor, a programmer, or a baker. It’s the universal signal for starting the workday.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use يذهب إلى العمل for other types of 'going'. For example, if you're going to the gym, you'd say أذهب إلى النادي الرياضي (adhhab ila an-nadi ar-riyadi). If you're going to a party, it's أذهب إلى الحفلة (adhhab ila al-hafla). Also, avoid it for metaphorical 'work', like 'work of art'. You wouldn't say 'This painting يذهب إلى العمل'. That would be like saying 'This painting goes to the job'. Hilarious, but wrong!

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes get confused with prepositions or the noun. Forgetting إلى (to) is common. Also, using a different word for 'work' might sound odd. For example, saying أذهب إلى الشغل (adhhab ila ash-shughl) is also correct and very common, but العمل is slightly more formal. The biggest no-no? Using a word that doesn't mean 'work' at all!

أذهب إلى البيت (I go to the house) أذهب إلى العمل (I go to work)
أذهب إلى السوق (I go to the market) أذهب إلى العمل (I go to work)

It’s like trying to order coffee and asking for a shoe – the barista will be confused!

Similar Expressions

There are other ways to say you're going to work. أتوجه إلى العمل (atawajjah ila al-'amal) means 'I head towards work', which sounds a bit more formal or deliberate. أداوم (udaawim) means 'I start my shift' or 'I attend work', focusing on the beginning of the duty itself. أخرج للعمل (akhruj lil-'amal) means 'I leave for work', emphasizing the departure from home. Each has a slightly different flavor, like choosing between 'head out', 'start my shift', or 'leave for'.

Common Variations

While يذهب إلى العمل is standard, you'll hear variations. The verb يذهب (yadhhab - he goes) changes based on who is going. So, 'I go' is أذهب (adhhab), 'you go' (male) is تذهب (tadhhab), 'she goes' is تذهب (tadhhab), and 'we go' is نذهب (nadhhab). The phrase إلى العمل (ila al-'amal) usually stays constant. Sometimes, people might use الشغل (ash-shughl) instead of العمل (al-'amal), making it يذهب إلى الشغل. It's a bit more colloquial.

Memory Trick

💡

Picture a tiny, determined ant carrying a briefcase, marching إلى العمل (to the work). The ant is the subject هو (he) who يذهب (goes). Imagine the ant saying, 'Gotta get to the Work!' The briefcase is key; it signifies 'work' and the journey. The إلى (to) is the path the ant follows. Every time you see an ant with a tiny briefcase, remember: يذهب إلى العمل!

Quick FAQ

Q. Is يذهب إلى العمل formal or informal?

A. It's quite neutral. You can use it in most situations, from texting friends to mentioning it in a professional context. It’s the safe, standard choice. It's not overly casual like slang, but not stiffly formal either. Think of it as your everyday work-related phrase.

Q. Can I use يذهب إلى العمل for online work?

A. Technically, yes, but it sounds a bit old-fashioned. If you work from home, you might say 'I أعمل من البيت' (I work from home) instead. يذهب إلى العمل implies physical travel to a location. It’s like saying you're 'going to the office' when you just rolled out of bed to your desk – technically true, but feels a bit off!

Q. What if I'm going *back* to work after a break?

A. You'd still use يذهب إلى العمل or a related phrase like أعود إلى العمل (a'ood ila al-'amal - I return to work). The core idea is resuming your duties. If you're coming back from lunch, you might just say 'I'm back' or عدت ('udtu), and the context implies you're returning to work.

Usage Notes

This phrase is highly versatile and sits comfortably at a neutral formality level. While perfectly acceptable in professional settings, avoid it for highly technical or extremely formal contexts where a more specific verb like 'يتوجه' (heads to) might be preferred. It's the go-to for everyday conversation about commuting. Be mindful not to confuse it with phrases for going to other locations like school or the market.

💡

Listen for the 'dh'

Ensure you pronounce the 'dh' (ذ) correctly; it is a voiced interdental fricative.

Examples

12
#1 Texting a friend
<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>

أنا ذاهب إلى العمل الآن، سأتصل بك لاحقًا.

I am going to work now, I will call you later.

Here, `ذاهب` (going) is the active participle, directly indicating the action of going.

#2 WhatsApp status update
<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>

صباح الخير! يوم جديد، فرصة جديدة. `أذهب إلى العمل` بكل حماس.

Good morning! New day, new opportunity. I go to work with all enthusiasm.

Shows a positive attitude towards the daily commute.

#3 Planning a meeting
<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>

هل يمكنك الاجتماع غدًا؟ أنا `أذهب إلى العمل` مبكرًا.

Can you meet tomorrow? I go to work early.

Explains availability based on the work schedule.

#4 Job interview (Zoom)
<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>

في أيامي العادية، `أذهب إلى العمل` حوالي الساعة الثامنة صباحًا.

On my normal days, I go to work around 8 AM.

Describes a typical daily routine professionally.

#5 Instagram caption
<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>

لقطات من يومي. ☕️ ➡️ 🏢 `أذهب إلى العمل` وفنجان قهوتي معي.

Glimpses from my day. ☕️ ➡️ 🏢 I go to work with my cup of coffee.

Modern usage with emojis, common for social media.

#6 TikTok comment
<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>

الفيديو مضحك! 😂 بس أنا لازم `أذهب إلى العمل` الآن.

The video is funny! 😂 But I have to go to work now.

Quick, relatable comment acknowledging the need to stop watching and work.

Expressing regret (mistake) Common Mistake
<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>

✗ `أذهب إلى البيت` متأخرًا اليوم.

✗ I go to the house late today.

This is incorrect; the destination is wrong. It should be 'work'.

Expressing regret (mistake) Common Mistake
<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>

✗ هو `يذهب إلى المدرسة` كل يوم.

✗ He goes to school every day.

This is incorrect; it should specify 'work' not 'school'.

#9 Talking about a loved one
<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>

أمي `تذهب إلى العمل` كطبيبة كل يوم.

My mother goes to work as a doctor every day.

Shows affection and respect for someone's profession.

#10 Vlogging intro
<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>

مرحباً بالجميع! اليوم سنرى كيف `أذهب إلى العمل` في طوكيو.

Hello everyone! Today we'll see how I go to work in Tokyo.

Common phrasing for travel or 'day in the life' vlogs.

#11 Discussing commute options

أفضل أن `أذهب إلى العمل` بالقطار لتجنب الزحام.

I prefer to go to work by train to avoid traffic.

Choosing a mode of transport for the commute.

#12 Describing a character in a story

كل صباح، `يذهب إلى العمل` ببدلة أنيقة.

Every morning, he goes to work in a stylish suit.

Paints a picture of someone's professional appearance.

Test Yourself

Fill in the missing preposition.

أنا أذهب ___ العمل.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: إلى

The preposition 'إلى' is required for direction.

🎉 Score: /1

Visual Learning Aids

Formality Spectrum: `يذهب إلى العمل`

Very Informal

Slang or highly casual chat, often regional.

بروح الشغل.

Informal

Casual conversation, texting friends.

أنا رايح الشغل.

Neutral

Standard usage, suitable for most everyday situations.

أنا أذهب إلى العمل.

Formal

Professional settings, official reports.

الموظف يتوجه إلى مقر عمله.

Where You'll Hear `يذهب إلى العمل`

Going to Work
🚗

Morning commute discussion

كيف تذهب إلى العمل؟

Explaining daily routine

أذهب إلى العمل مبكرًا.

📱

Social media updates

صباح الخير! ذاهب إلى العمل.

💼

Job interview answers

روتيني هو الذهاب إلى العمل.

🗓️

Making plans

هل ستذهب إلى العمل غدًا؟

🧑‍💻

Describing someone's job

هو يذهب إلى العمل كل يوم.

Comparing Ways to Say 'Go to Work'

Standard
يذهب إلى العمل Goes to work (neutral, common)
Slightly Formal
يتوجه إلى العمل Heads to work (more deliberate)
Focus on Departure
يخرج للعمل Leaves for work (emphasizes leaving home)
Colloquial
يروح الشغل Goes to work (very informal, colloquial)

Contexts for `يذهب إلى العمل`

🔁

Daily Routine

  • Morning commute
  • Establishing schedule
  • Habitual action
🏢

Professional Settings

  • Job interviews
  • Workplace discussions
  • Formal reports
💬

Informal Communication

  • Texting friends
  • Social media posts
  • Casual conversation
🚶

Describing Actions

  • Mode of transport
  • Time of arrival
  • Reason for absence

Practice Bank

1 exercises
Fill in the missing preposition. Fill Blank A1

أنا أذهب ___ العمل.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: إلى

The preposition 'إلى' is required for direction.

🎉 Score: /1

Frequently Asked Questions

1 questions

No, use 'أذهب إلى المدرسة' for school.

Related Phrases

🔗

يعمل في

similar

Works at

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