ماذا عنك؟
madha 'ank?
The English phrase 'how about you' is translated into Arabic as ماذا عنك؟ (madha 'ank?).
This phrase is used to ask someone for their opinion or to ask them the same question they have just directed at you.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ماذا (what), عن (about) and the suffix -ka (you).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes based on who you are addressing. To ask 'how about you' to a female, use ماذا عنكِ؟. To ask 'how about you two' to exactly two people, use the dual suffix -kuma in ماذا عنكما؟. To ask 'how about you' to a group of three or more people, use the plural suffix -kum in ماذا عنكم؟.
How do you pronounce it?
madha 'ank?
Did you know?
- In a formal Arabic setting, using the plural ماذا عنكم؟ when addressing a single person of high status is a common way to show extreme respect. This is known as the 'plural of majesty'.
- In some Arabic cultures, returning a question with ماذا عنك؟ is seen as a key part of 'social grace' and hospitality. It is considered polite to deflect the focus from yourself back to the other person immediately.
- The word ماذا (māḏā) is actually a combination of two words: the particle ما (mā) and the demonstrative 'this' (ḏā).
Examples in context
- ماذا عنك؟How about you?This example shows the use of ماذا عنك؟.Tatoeba #372675 by saeb, translation #16491 by CK
- أنا بخير، ماذا عنك؟ana bikhayr, madha 'annaka?I am fine, how about you?
- أحب القهوة، ماذا عنك؟uhibbu al-qahwa, madha 'annaka?I love coffee, how about you?
Example conversation
Nour and Omar are discussing their weekend plans.
- نور Nourسأذهب إلى السينما، ماذا عنك؟sa-adhhabu ila al-sinima, madha 'annaka?I will go to the cinema, how about you?
- عمر Omarسأبقى في البيت يا نور.sa-abqa fi al-bayt ya Nour.I will stay at home, Nour.
- نور Nourهل أنت متعب اليوم؟hal anta mut'ab al-yawm?Are you tired today?
- عمر Omarنعم، أنا متعب جداً.na'am, ana mut'ab jiddan.Yes, I am very tired.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ماذا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
