QUESTION TAGS IN ARABIC LANGUAGE | INTERROGATIVE PARTICLE "HOW" | (كيف) (آداة الاستفهام)

 QUESTION TAGS IN ARABIC LANGUAGE | INTERROGATIVE PARTICLE "HOW" (كيف) (آداة الاستفهام)

By: Yusuf Basirat Bolanle 

 In our previous lessons, we have discussed Question Tags and Some Interrogative Particles in Arabic Language. We have talked about Particles like: Who (من), and  Where (أين), and how they can be used to seek information in Arabic Language.

In this lesson, we are going to talk about “Interrogative particle (How) (كيف) and how it can be used in sentences.

 

DEFINITION AND DISCUSSION 

(كيف) in is an Arabic word which means (How). It is one of the question tags that can be used to ask question about the manner of doing something and condition of someone or something in a sentence.

 

When (كيف) is used in a verbal sentence, it is asking about the Manner or Way of doing something.

 

But when it is used in a Nominal Sentence, it is asking about the condition of someone or something in that sentence.

 

The following examples show how (كيف) can be used in Verbal Sentences to seek information about the Manners of doing something.

 

 HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES

كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَابِ الْفِيلِ؟

How did your Lord deal with the people of elephant?

أَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا

He sent onto them Birds

 

 In the above sentence, the questionnaire is asking about the way in which Allah dealt with the people of the Elephant. Hence, the answer was that Allah sent onto them "The Birds" probably to destroy them as a punishment for their wrong doings

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كيف يذهب الْأستاذ إلى المسجد؟

How does Ustaz go to the mosque?

 

يذهب الأستاذ إلى المسجد بالسيارة

Ustaz goes to the mosque by car

 

The above sentence is asking about the way or means in which Ustaz use to go to the mosque. The reply was he use to go to the mosque by Car.

............................................

 

كيف نقرأ القرأن؟

How do we read the Quran?

 

نقرأ القرأنَ بصوت جميل

We read Quran with a beautiful voice

 

This sentence is asking about the manner of reading Al-Quran, and the reply is to read The Quran with a beautiful voice.

 ............................................

 

Now, let us use (كيف) in Nominal Sentences to ask question about the Condition of  someone or something. 

 

كيف حالك؟

How are you?

 

أنا بخير

I am fine

 

The sentence above is asking about the condition of the second person, and the answer is that his condition is fine.

............................................  

 

كيف صحَّةُ أحمد؟

How is Ahmad health?

 

هو بصحة جيدة

He is in good health

 

The sentence here is also asking about the health condition of Ahmad, who has been on sick bed, hence the reply that his condition is good. That is, "He is in good health".

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كيف اختبار اللغة العربية؟

How is Arabic language test?

 

اختبار اللغة العربية سهل

Arabic language test is simple

 

In the above sentence, the questionnaire is asking bout the condition of the Arabic Language test written by the second person. Then he replied that the test is simple.

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NOTE: It is important to note that (كيف) is used to seek information about the condition of human beings and non-human beings including the non-living things. 

 

Continue Reading from here:

INTERROGATIVE PARTICLES "WHERE" (أين)

INTERROGATIVE PARTICLE (مَنْ) (Who)