أي
The English phrase "that is" is translated into Arabic as أي.
Did you know?
- The word أي can be used as an interjection to express a call for attention, similar to saying 'hey' in English.
- While أي means 'that is' in a clarifying context, it is also the primary word used to ask 'which' in Arabic.
- The word أي shares a linguistic ancestor with the Middle Persian word ʾy, suggesting it may have been adopted through historical contact between Persian and Arabic speakers.
Examples in context
- هذا جميل ، و ذلك أيضاً جميل.This is beautiful, and that is also beautiful.This sentence illustrates the use of the phrase in a comparison.Tatoeba #370655 by saeb, translation #370656 by saeb
Example conversation
Yousef and Maryam are discussing a meeting time.
- يوسف Youssefسنلتقي في منتصف النهار، أي الساعة الثانية عشرة.Sanaltaqī fī muntaṣaf an-nahār, ay as-sā‘ah ath-thāniyata ‘ashrah.We will meet at midday, that is twelve o'clock.
- مريم Maryamحسناً، هذا الوقت مناسب جداً.Ḥasanan, hādhā al-waqt munāsib jiddan.Okay, that time is very convenient.
- يوسف Youssefهل سنلتقي في المقهى؟Hal sanaltaqī fī al-maqhā?Shall we meet at the cafe?
- مريم Maryamنعم، نلتقي هناك يا يوسف.Na‘am, naltaqī hunāka yā Yūsuf.Yes, we will meet there, Yousef.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries أي, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
