What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of kayfa (how), taqulu (you say) and dhalik (that).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal setting, you can use كيف يمكنني التعبير عنها بالعربية؟ (How can I express it in Arabic?) or أريد أن أعرف كيف يتم قولها باللغة العربية (I want to know how to say it in Arabic). In informal situations, you might say شنو طريقة قولها بالعربي؟ (What's the way to say it in Arabic?) or ازاي أقولها بالعربي؟ (How do I say it in Arabic?).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, you can use بتقولها إزاي؟ to mean "How do you say it?" or إزاي بيتقال؟ to mean "How is it said?" In Levantine Arabic, you can ask شو اسمها بالعربي؟ (What's its name in Arabic?) or كيف بتقلها؟ (How do you say it?).
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb form changes depending on whom you are addressing. The form taqulu is the second-person masculine singular conjugation. If you are addressing a woman, use the feminine form taqulina instead of taqulu. If you are addressing a group of people, use the plural form taquluna.
How do you pronounce it?
kayfa taqulu dhalik
Did you know?
- The word كيف (kayfa) can also mean 'to cut off entirely' in certain historical contexts. This is linked to the root meaning of cutting or severing.
- Because Arabic verbs are conjugated for gender, the phrase for 'how do you say it' changes entirely if you are speaking to a woman instead of a man.
Examples in context
- كيف تقول ذلك باللغة العربية؟kayfa taqūlu dhālika bi-l-lughati l-ʿarabiyyah?How do you say that in Arabic?
- هل يمكنك تعليمي كيف تقول ذلك؟hal yumkinuka taʿlīmī kayfa taqūlu dhālika?Can you teach me how to say that?
Example conversation
Mariam is asking Yusuf for help with an Arabic expression.
- مريم Maryamيوسف، كيف تقول ذلك بالإنجليزية؟Yūsuf, kayfa taqūlu dhālika bi-l-inglīziyyah?Yusuf, how do you say that in English?
- يوسف Youssefأعتقد أنني أعرف كيف تقول ذلك.aʿtaqidu annanī aʿrifu kayfa taqūlu dhālika.I think I know how to say that.
- مريم Maryamهل أنت متأكد يا يوسف؟hal anta mutaʾakkid yā Yūsuf?Are you sure, Yusuf?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، سأساعدكِ يا مريم.naʿam, sa-usaʿiduki yā Maryam.Yes, I will help you, Mariam.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ذلك, كيف, CC BY-SA 4.0.
