Hit the road with confidence by learning essential vocabulary for road conditions, vehicle parts, and unexpected breakdowns.
Hazards on the Road
Watch out for a منعطف (curve), where you might suddenly need to انحرف (swerve).
| The driver swerved suddenly at the dangerous curve. | انحرفت السائقة فجأة عند المنعطف الخطير.inharafati assa'iqatu faj'atan 'inda almun'atafi alkhatiri |
To control your speed, you will rely on the فرامل (brakes), especially when approaching a مطب (speed bump).
| I used the brakes before the speed bump. | استخدمت الفرامل قبل المطب.istakhdamtu al-faramila qabla al-matabb. |
Getting Lost
If you miss an exit, you might find yourself تائه (lost). To correct your course, use the verb استدار (to turn around).
| The man turned around because he was lost. | استدار الرجل لأنه كان تائها.istadâra r-rajulu li'annahu kâna tâ'ihan |
Breakdowns in Remote Areas
Vehicle trouble can strike far from the city. You might be towing a مقطورة (trailer) when forced to stop in an معزول (isolated) place.
| The trailer stopped in an isolated place after sunset. | توقفت المقطورة في مكان معزول بعد غروب الشمس.tawaqqafati-l-maqtûratu fî makânin ma'zûlin ba'da ghurûbi-sh-shams. |
Watch for dark smoke coming from the vehicle's عادم (exhaust).
| Black smoke came out of the car's exhaust. | خرج دخان أسود من عادم السيارة.kharaja dukhânun aswadu min 'âdimi s-sayyârati. |
When a mechanical component breaks, you will need a replacement. The noun غيار means "spare." Combine it with قطعة (piece) to form the essential phrase قطعة غيار (spare part).
| I was going to the workshop to buy a spare part for the brakes. | كنت ذاهبة إلى الورشة لشراء قطعة غيار للفرامل.kuntu dhâhibatan ilâ al-warshati lishirâ'i qiṭ'ati ghiyârin lilfarâmili |
| We need a spare part for the exhaust. | نحتاج إلى قطعة غيار من أجل العادم.nahtâju ilâ qitati ghiyârin min ajli al-âdimi. |