Questions are an integral part of our daily interactions, and when you’re learning a new language like Arabic, you’ll undoubtedly have many! The good news is that how to ask a question in Arabic isn’t as daunting as it might seem. We have a questions in Arabic for you right now that you’ll surely be able to answer by the end of this guide: “هل تعلم كيف تسأل باللغة العربية؟” (hal taʿlam kayfa tasʾal bi-al-lughah al-ʿarabiyyah? – Do you know how to ask in the Arabic language?)
Knowing the Arabic question words and their meanings is key to both asking and understanding simple Arabic questions and answers. From WH questions in Arabic to basic inquiries, we’ve got you covered with Arabic question words with examples.
Yes/No Questions in Arabic
These questioning words in Arabic are your go-to for questions that require a simple “yes” or “no” answer. They work in both formal and informal settings.
- أ؟ /a/ – This is the Arabic letter hamza used as an interrogative. It can also be used for questions with a negative statement.
- هل أنت هنا؟ (hal anta hunā?) – Are you here?
- أقرأت التعليمات ؟ (ʾa qaraʾta al-taʿlīmāt?) – Did you read the instructions?
- أليس لديك أصدقاء ؟ (ʾa laysa ladayka ʾaṣdiqāʾ?) – Don’t you have friends?
- ألا تعلم أن الموعد اليوم ؟ (ʾa lā taʿlam ʾanna al-mawʿida al-yawm?) – Don’t you know that the appointment is today?
- هل /hal/ – This is another common particle for yes/no questions.
- هل أنت بخير؟ (hal anta bi-khayr?) – Are you okay?
WH Questions in Arabic
These Arabic question words are used to ask for more specific information.
- Asking About People (“Who”)
- مَنْ؟ (man?)
- من كتب السؤال؟ (man kataba al-suʾāl?) – Who wrote the question?
- من هنا؟ (man hunā?) – Who’s here?
- Asking About Manner (“How”)
- كَيْفَ؟ (kayfa?) – This is generally used in formal Arabic.
- كيف كتبت الكتاب؟ (kayfa katabta al-kitāb?) – How did you write the book?
- كيف تراني؟ (kayfa تراني؟) – How do you see me?
- Asking About Time (“When”)
- مَتَى؟ (matā?)
- متى رأيت صديقك؟ (matā raʾayta ṣadīqak?) – When did you see your friend?
- متى ستأتي؟ (matā sataʾtī?) – When are you coming?
- Asking About Things (“What”)
- مَا؟ (mā?) – Typically used in questions with a verb.
- ما اسمك؟ (mā ismuka?) – What’s your name?
- مَاذَا؟ (mādhā?) – Typically used in questions without a verb or at the beginning of a sentence. This is the matha in Arabic.
- ماذا سنعمل اليوم؟ (mādhā sanaʿmal al-yawm?) – What are we doing today?
- ماذا عن صديقك؟ (mādhā ʿan ṣadīqak?) – What about your friend?
- Asking About Reason (“Why”)
- لِمَاذَا؟ (limādhā?) – This is the standard “why in Arabic”. The “limadha meaning” literally breaks down to “for what” (li – for, mādhā – what). This is the “limadha in Arabic” and “limadha meaning in English” is “why”.
- لماذا أنت هنا؟ (limādhā ʾanta hunā?) – Why are you here?
- لماذا تريد القلم؟ (limādhā turīd al-qalam?) – Why do you want the pen?
- Asking About Place (“Where”)
- أَيْنَ؟ (ʾayna?)
- من أين أنت؟ (min ʾayna ʾanta?) – Where are you from?
- إلى أين ذاهب؟ (ʾilā ʾayna dhāhib?) – Where are you going?
- Asking About Quantity (“How much/many”)
- كَمْ؟ (kam?)
- كم عمرك؟ (kam ʿomruka?) – How old are you?
- كم تريد؟ (kam turīd?) – How much/many do you want?
- بِكَمْ؟ (bi-kam?) – Specifically used for asking about price.
- بكم كيلو البطاطا؟ (bi-kam kīlū al-baṭāṭā?) – How much is a kilo of potatoes?
- Asking About Possession (“Whose”)
- لِمَنْ؟ (liman?) – Literally “for whom”.
- لمن هذه الشنطة؟ (liman hādhihi al-shanṭah?) – Whose bag is this? / Whom does this bag belong to?
- Asking About Choice (“Which”)
- أَيُّ؟ (ʾayy?)
- أي قصة تقصد؟ (ʾay qiṣṣah taqṣid?) – Which story do you mean?
- اي نوع أفضل؟ (ʾay nawʿun ʾafḍal?) – Which type is the best?
Asking questions in Arabic language doesn’t seem so complicated now, does it? You’ve now learned how to ask “where in Arabic,” “when in Arabic,” “how,” “whose,” and more! Keep practicing these Arabic question words with examples, and you’ll be engaging in conversations in no time. We’re guessing your answer to our initial questions in Arabic is now a resounding “yes”! Don’t forget to download the Kaleela app to learn more!
