The Words
Direction vocabulary
These are the building blocks. Learn them and you can follow almost any set of directions.
Asking the Way
Finding a place
The key phrase is کہاں ہے؟ (kahaa'n hay?), "where is?" Put any place in front of it.
Swap بازار (bazaar) for any place: دکان (dukaan, shop), گھر (ghar, home), اسٹیشن (station). The pattern stays the same.
کتنا (kitna) = how much, دور (door) = far. The answer may be قریب (qareeb, near) or بہت دور (bohat door, very far).
A genuinely essential question when travelling. واش روم (washroom) is widely understood.
Giving Directions
In a taxi or on foot
These are the phrases you will say to a driver or use to direct someone else.
جائیں (jaayein) = go (polite). The most common instruction you will give a driver.
For right, say دائیں مڑیں (daaye'n murein). Simple and clear for any driver.
یہاں (yahaa'n) = here, رکیں (rukein) = stop (polite). Say it when you reach your destination.
تھوڑا (thora) = a little, آگے (aagay) = ahead. Useful when you are almost there but not quite.
Quick Reference
Everything at a glance
Drill the direction words and phrases here.
Getting around in Pakistan
In Pakistani cities you will find rickshaws, taxis, and ride apps like Careem and inDrive. Drivers may not always use street names, so directions are often given by landmarks: قریب (qareeb, near) a particular mosque, market, or junction. Knowing سیدھا (seedha), بائیں (baaye'n), and دائیں (daaye'n) will get you a long way.
People are generally happy to help a visitor find their way. If you ask بازار کہاں ہے؟ (bazaar kahaa'n hay?), do not be surprised if someone walks you part of the way there. That kind of helpfulness is very much part of the culture.
Practice
Try it yourself
Say each answer out loud, then check.
What would you say?
Imagine you are getting around a Pakistani city.
You've finished the beginner course.
Greetings, numbers, family, food, time, colours, verbs, questions, shopping, and directions: that is a real foundation. The next step is using it in real conversation. Book a free call with Syeda and put it all together.