طرح سؤال
ṭaraḥa suʾāl
To ask a question in Arabic is طرح سؤال (ṭaraḥa suʾāl).
The phrase is used to describe the act of requesting information from someone by posing a query.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression consists of the verb طرح (ṭaraḥa), which literally means 'to throw' or 'to cast' and the noun سؤال (suʾāl), which means 'question'. Together, the phrase literally means 'to cast a question'.
Which one should you use?
While طرح سؤال is a common construction, the phrase سأل سؤالاً (sa'ala su'alan) is a more direct way to say 'to ask a question' by using the specific verb 'to ask' (سأل).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain Gulf dialects, the word شنو may be used instead of ما when asking 'what' in a question.
How do you pronounce it?
ṭaraḥa suʾāl
Did you know?
- The verb طرح (ṭaraḥa) used in this phrase also means 'to subtract' in mathematics. When you ask a question, you are effectively 'casting' or 'throwing' a problem into the conversation.
- The word سؤال shares a common linguistic root with the Hebrew word שְׁאֵלָה, which also means 'a question' or 'a query'.
- In traditional Arabic rhetoric, 'asking a question' can be used as a stylistic device called استفهام (istifhām), which is often used in literature to create a dramatic pause rather than to get an answer.
Examples in context
- هل يمكنني أن أستفسر عن شروط الوظيفة؟Can I ask about the job requirements?
- بتعرف وقت المباراة النهائية؟Do you know the time of the final match?
- أريد طرح سؤال عن هذا الموضوع.urīdu tarḥ su'āl 'an hādhā al-mawdū'.I want to ask a question about this topic.
- لا تتردد في طرح سؤال.lā tataraddad fī tarḥ su'āl.Do not hesitate to ask a question.
Example conversation
A student is talking to a teacher in a classroom.
- نور Nourهل يمكنني طرح سؤال؟hal yumkinunī tarḥ su'āl?May I ask a question?
- أحمد Ahmedبالطبع يا نور، تفضلي.bi-ṭ-ṭab' yā Nūr, tafaḍḍalī.Of course, Nour, go ahead.
- نور Nourمتى يبدأ الامتحان؟matā yabda' al-imtiḥān?When does the exam start?
- أحمد Ahmedسيبدأ الامتحان غداً صباحاً.sayabda' al-imtiḥān ghadan ṣabāḥan.The exam will start tomorrow morning.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries سؤال, CC BY-SA 4.0.
