أأنت كذلك؟
a'anta kathalik?
The English phrase "are you?" (in the sense of "are you also/likewise?") is translated into Arabic as أأنت كذلك؟ (a'anta kathalik?).
This phrase is used to ask if someone else is in the same state, condition or situation as has been previously mentioned.
Which one should you use?
The default form أأنت كذلك؟ is specifically masculine. You must adjust the pronoun within the phrase based on the gender and number of the person you are addressing.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a female, you must change the masculine pronoun anta to the feminine anti, resulting in أأنتِ كذلك؟. If you are addressing two people, you would use the phrase كيف حالكما؟ to mean "How are you both?"
How do you pronounce it?
a'anta kathalik?
Did you know?
- In Arabic, there is no single word for the verb 'to be' in the present tense. The phrase أأنت كذلك؟ functions as a nominal sentence where the 'are' is implied by the structure rather than written as a separate word.
- The particle أ at the start of أأنت كذلك؟ is a formal tool that is almost never heard in the street, making the written phrase sound very prestigious or academic.
- While أأنت كذلك؟ is used for 'are you also?', the word كذلك (kathalik) literally translates to 'like that' or 'in that manner'.
Examples in context
- كيف حالك؟ هل أنت بخير؟How are you? Are you well?
- شلونك؟ اليوم أحلى يوم بالسنة!How are you? Today is the best day of the year!
- شلونكم شباب؟How are you guys, lads?
- ممتاز يا عمري، شلونكِ أنتِ؟Excellent, my dear! And how are you?
Example conversation
Ziad and Layla are discussing their feelings about a movie.
- زياد Ziadأنا معجب بهذا الفيلم، أأنت كذلك؟Ana mu'jab bi-hadha al-film, a-anti kadhalik?I like this movie, are you too?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، إنه رائع حقاً.Na'am, innahu ra'i' haqqan.Yes, it is truly wonderful.
- زياد Ziadأنا أشعر بالملل الآن.Ana ash'ur bil-malal al-an.I am feeling bored now.
- ليلى Laylaلا، أنا مستمتعة جداً.La, ana mustamti'a jiddan.No, I am enjoying it very much.
