What does it mean word for word?
The expression literally means 'What do you intend/mean?', as the verb تقصد comes from a root meaning to intend, aim or mean.
Which one should you use?
While ماذا تقصد؟ is a standard way to ask, you can also use ماذا تعني؟ (madha ta'ni?), which utilizes a verb meaning 'to signify' or 'to mean'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase ماذا تقصد؟ is a formal expression.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different dialects offer informal ways to say this: in Levantine dialects (Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine), you can say شو تقصد؟. In some Gulf dialects (UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain), you can use ايش تقصد؟. And in Moroccan Arabic, you would say شنو كتقصد؟.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form ماذا تقصد؟ is masculine singular. Use ماذا تقصدين؟ (madha taqsudin?) when addressing a woman, and ماذا تقصدون؟ (madha taqsudun?) when addressing a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
madha taqsud?
Did you know?
- Because the verb تقصد is rooted in the concept of 'aiming' at a target, asking 'what do you mean?' can sometimes sound like you are questioning a person's hidden motives or intentions rather than their words.
- The word ماذا is actually a combination of two separate words: ما meaning 'what' and ذا meaning 'this'.
- Because the phrase uses a verb that means 'to aim', using it in an argument can feel like you are asking 'What are you aiming at me?'
Example conversation
Layla and Ziad are discussing a confusing comment during a meeting.
- ليلى Laylaلقد قلت إن المشروع صعب.laqad qulta inna al-mashrū' ṣa'b.You said the project is difficult.
- زياد Ziadماذا تقصد؟mādhā taqṣid?What do you mean?
- ليلى Laylaأعني أن الوقت غير كافٍ.a'nī anna al-waqt ghayru kāfin.I mean that there is not enough time.
- زياد Ziadفهمت الآن، شكراً لك.fahimtu al-ān, shukran laka.I understand now, thank you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ماذا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
