Directions in Odia Transliteration: Labels and Movement Instructions
For directions in Odia transliteration, learn the examples for left, right, and straight as direction labels. For an actual movement instruction, choose the longer examples meaning go straight, turn left, or turn right. This distinction helps you select the right expression when giving or following a route.
Start with these expressions
| English | Transliteration | Native script |
|---|---|---|
| Left | bama | ବାମ |
| Right | dahana | ଡାହାଣ |
| Straight | sidha | ସିଧା |
| go straight | sidha jaantu | ସିଧା ଯାଆନ୍ତୁ |
| Turn left | bamaku bulantu | ବାମକୁ ବୁଲନ୍ତୁ |
| Turn right | dahanaku bulantu | ଡାହାଣକୁ ବୁଲନ୍ତୁ |
| Go right | dahanaku jaantu | ଡାହାଣକୁ ଯାଆନ୍ତୁ |
| Go left | bamaku jaantu | ବାମକୁ ଯାଆନ୍ତୁ |
Separate direction labels from movement instructions
Start with the three one-word direction entries for left, right, and straight. The dictionary passages explicitly document the first two meanings as left and right, and the third as straight [1][2][3]. These are useful when identifying a side or describing the direction itself.
When you want someone to move, choose one of the longer examples instead. The example meaning go straight gives an instruction, while the examples meaning turn left, turn right, go left, and go right describe movement. In practice, do not substitute the one-word straight entry when your intended message is “continue straight”; select the complete go-straight example. Apply the same check to left and right: use the short entry to name the direction, and a longer entry when telling someone what to do.
The displayed Roman spellings are learner aids. Use the rendered Odia form alongside them so you can connect the spelling, script, and English meaning without treating the Roman form as a full pronunciation system.
[1] Source: dsal.uchicago.edu.
[2] Source: dsal.uchicago.edu.
[3] Source: dsal.uchicago.edu.
Try it
You are guiding someone who has reached a junction. Which example tells them to continue straight, rather than merely naming the direction?
Choose your answer before reading on.
Check your answer:
Use expression 4 in the table above.
Choose the example glossed as go straight. It is the complete movement instruction; the separate straight entry is only the direction label.
Read the rendered examples aloud from the English meanings, then practise choosing a short label or a longer instruction for three imaginary turns.
Practise speaking with Bhol. Learn words and sentences written in English letters.
