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the interrogative pronouns in Arabic

Interrogative pronouns in Arabic - اِسْمُ الإِسْتِفْهِامِ

Introduction

In Arabic, words that initiate sentences to pose questions are termed as ‘interrogative pronouns’. These essential linguistic tools facilitate inquiry and drive understanding within conversations.

 

1. Interrogative Pronouns in Arabic: Paving the Way for Inquiries and Understanding

What 

 

مَاذَا / مَا

 

 

 

Why

 

لِمَاذَا / لِمَ

 

 

 

Who

 

مَنْ

 

 

 

For who / for which

 

لِمَنْ

 

 

 

What

 

ءَ

 

 

 

Did

 

هَلْ

 

 

 

When

 

مَتَى

 

 

 

Since

 

مُنْذُ

 

 

 

Where

 

أَيْنَ

 

 

 

In what

 

فِيْمَا

 

 

 

From where / how come

 

أَنَّى

 

 

 

How

 

كَيْفَ

 

 

 

How much

 

كَمْ

 

 

 

When

 

أَيَّانَ

 

 

 

Which one / whose (masc.)

 

أَيٌّ

 

 

 

Which one / whose (fem.)

 

أَيَّةٌ

 

 

 

Do

 

أَمْ

 

 

 

About what

 

عَمَّ / عَمَّا

 

 

 

From what

 

مِمَّ / مِمَّا

 

2. Interrogative Pronouns in the Holy Quran: Illustrative Examples

 

قَالُوا أَإِنَّكَ لَأَنتَ يُوسُفُ

 

 

 

 

They said, “Are you indeed Joseph?” (12:90)

 

 

 

قُلْ أَيُّ شَيْءٍ أَكْبَرُ شَهَادَةً

 

 

 

 

Say, “What thing is greatest in testimony?” (6:19)

 

 

 

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ

 

 

 

 

Or do you think that you will enter Paradise (2:214)

 

 

 

مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ

 

 

 

 

Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?  (2:255)

 

 

 

وَمَا تِلْكَ بِيَمِينِكَ يَا مُوسَىٰ

 

 

 

 

And what is that in your right hand, O Moses?” (20:17)

 

 

 

يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ

 

 

 

 

They ask you, [O Muhammad], what they should spend. (2:215)

 

 

 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ 

 

 

 

 

O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? (61:2)

 

 

 

قَالَ كَمْ لَبِثْتَ

 

 

He said, “How long have you remained?” (2:259)

 

 

 

وَانظُرْ إِلَى الْعِظَامِ كَيْفَ نُنشِزُهَا ثُمَّ نَكْسُوهَا لَحْمًا

 

 

Conclusion

This lesson on Arabic nuances concludes here. Insha’Allah, our subsequent session will delve into the possessive phrase in Arabic.

 

 

Al-dirassa Institute invites you on a linguistic journey with our expert teachers to master the Arabic language. Should you wish to further your studies, we welcome your inquiries.

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