هل هو جيد؟
hal huwa jayyid?
The English phrase "is it good?" is translated into Arabic as هل هو جيد؟ (hal huwa jayyid?).
This phrase is a question used to ask whether a specific thing is of high quality or satisfactory.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into the interrogative particle هل (hal) used to form yes/no questions, هو (huwa) meaning "he/it" and جيد (jayyid) meaning "good".
How does it change in a sentence?
Arabic grammar requires you to change the form based on the gender of the object you are discussing.
How do you pronounce it?
hal huwa jayyid?
Did you know?
- The word هل (hal) is a result of univerbation, combining an ancient interrogative sound and an affirmative particle.
- While جيد (jayyid) is the standard word for 'good', in many spoken dialects, people use كويس (kwayyis) instead. Using the formal word in a casual street setting can sound overly stiff or like a textbook.
- In the Levant region, a common way to ask 'is it good?' while eating is to use the phrase طعمته طيبة؟ (ṭaʿmatuhu ṭayyiba), which literally asks if the 'taste is pleasant'.
Examples in context
- هل الطعام جيد؟Is the food good?
- هل الخدمة جيدة؟Is the service good?
- هل المنتج جيد؟Is the product good?
- لا، ليس جيدًاNo, it's not good
Example conversation
Sara and Ahmed are at a cafe looking at a new book.
- سارة Saraهل هو جيد؟hal huwa jayyid?Is it good?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، هو كتاب رائع.na'am, huwa kitab ra'i'.Yes, it is a wonderful book.
- سارة Saraأريد قراءته أيضاً.uridu qira'atahu aidan.I want to read it too.
- أحمد Ahmedسيعجبكِ بالتأكيد يا سارة.sayu'jibuki bi-ta'kid ya Sara.You will certainly like it, Sara.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries هل, هو, CC BY-SA 4.0.
