Arabic Grammar: How to Form Questions (Al-Istifhaam)

Asking Questions (الاِسْتِفْهَام)

Mastering the Arabic Interrogatives

1. Yes/No Questions

To turn any statement into a "Yes/No" question, simply place the particle Hal (هَلْ) or the prefix A- (أَ) at the very beginning. The word order remains exactly the same.

Statement: This is a house. → هَذَا بَيْتٌ (Haadhaa baytun)

Question: Is this a house? → هَلْ هَذَا بَيْتٌ؟ (Hal haadhaa baytun?)

2. Common Question Nouns

For specific information, use these interrogative nouns at the start of your sentence:

Arabic	Transliteration	English Meaning
مَنْ؟	Man?	Who?
مَا / مَاذَا؟	Maa / Maadhaa?	What?
أَيْنَ؟	Ayna?	Where?
كَيْفَ؟	Kayfa?	How?
مَتَى؟	Mataa?	When?
لِمَاذَا؟	Limaadhaa?	Why?

Quick Tip: Maa vs. Maadhaa

Use Maa (مَا) for sentences without a verb (Nominal) and Maadhaa (مَاذَا) for sentences with a verb (Verbal).

Example: "What is this?" → مَا هَذَا؟
Example: "What did you write?" → مَاذَا كَتَبْتَ؟

 

Practice: If Al-mudaarris means "The teacher," how would you ask "Where is the teacher?"
Answer: أَيْنَ الْمُدَرِّسُ؟ (Ayna al-mudaarrisu?)