كيف تقول
kayfa taqul
The phrase "how to say" in Arabic is expressed as كيف تقول (kayfa taqul).
This phrase is used to ask for the translation or the pronunciation of a specific word or expression. A common way to complete the sentence is to add بالعربية (bil-ʿarabiyya) at the end, forming the sentence "How do you say [word] in Arabic?"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of two parts: كيف (kayfa), which literally means "how" and تقول (taqul), which is the second-person masculine singular form of the verb "to say" ("you say").
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the verb changes depending on whom you are addressing.
How do you pronounce it?
kayfa taqul
Did you know?
- The word تقول (taqul) is part of a massive family of words sharing the root Q-W-L, which relates to all forms of speech and communication.
- The word كيف (how) is used in the common greeting كيف حالك, but in some dialects, the word for 'how' changes completely to إزاي (izay) or شلون (shlon).
- Because Arabic is written from right to left, the question mark in the phrase is actually written as ؟ and faces the opposite direction of an English question mark.
Examples in context
- شو بتقول "I'm happy" بالعربية؟How do you say "I'm happy" in Arabic?
- كيف بيتقال "Thank you" بالعربية؟How is "Thank you" said in Arabic?
- كيف تقول هذا باللغة العربية؟kayfa taqūlu hādhā bi-l-lugha al-ʿarabiyya?How do you say this in Arabic?
- كيف تقول كلمة "شكراً" بالإنجليزية؟kayfa taqūlu kalima "shukran" bi-l-inglīziyya?How do you say the word "shukran" in English?
Example conversation
Omar is learning a new language with Maryam.
- عمر Omarيا مريم، كيف تقول 'مرحباً' بالإنجليزية؟Ya Maryam, kayfa taqul 'marhaban' bil-ingliziya?Maryam, how do you say 'marhaban' in English?
- مريم Maryamتقول 'Hello' يا عمر.Taqul 'Hello' ya Omar.You say 'Hello', Omar.
- عمر Omarشكراً لكِ، الأمر سهل جداً.Shukran laki, al-amr sahl jiddan.Thank you, it is very easy.
- مريم Maryamعلى الرحب والسعة!Ala al-ruhb wa al-sa'a!You are very welcome!
