متى
matā/ma.taː/
The English word 'when' can be translated into Arabic as متى (matā), which functions as a conjunction meaning 'as soon as' or 'at the time that'.
In Arabic, the choice of word for 'when' depends on whether you are asking a direct question about time or connecting two parts of a sentence. Use متى for direct questions, but use the conjunction عندما to express 'at the time that' or to connect clauses.
Meaning: as soon as, at the time that (conj)
Which one should you use?
Use متى (matā) when you are asking a direct question about time. In contrast, use عندما (ʿindamā) as a subordinating conjunction to mean 'at the time that' (for example, 'When I arrived…').
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form متى is formal. For direct questions in colloquial speech, such as in the Egyptian dialect, you might hear إمتى instead.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While متى can occasionally function as a conjunction in certain contexts, عندما is the standard way to express 'when' as a subordinating conjunction to connect clauses.
How do you pronounce it?
matā (/ma.taː/)
Did you know?
- The word متى is a cognate of the Hebrew word מתי, meaning they share a common ancestor in the Semitic language family.
- While متى is used for questions, the word عندما literally describes being 'at' or 'with' a specific time.
- In highly formal or poetic Arabic, متى can occasionally act as a conditional 'whenever' rather than just a question.
Examples in context
- متى سيعود ميناد ؟When is Mennad coming back?This example shows how to use متى to ask a direct question.Tatoeba #9073819 by alkhaldy, translation #8045572 by OsoHombre
- متى ذهبت إلى هناك؟When did you go there?Tatoeba #384383 by saeb, translation #66313 by CK
- متى وصلت إلى لندن؟When did you get to London?Tatoeba #388515 by saeb, translation #29301 by CN
- متى سيبدأ الاجتماع؟When will the meeting start?
- 142 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariam and Ziad are discussing a meeting time.
- مريم Maryamاتصل بي متى تصل إلى البيت.ittasil bi mata tasil ila al-bayt.Call me when you arrive home.
- زياد Ziadسأفعل ذلك بالتأكيد يا مريم.sa'af'al dhalik bi-ta'keed ya Maryam.I will certainly do that, Mariam.
- مريم Maryamهل يمكنك إخباري متى ينتهي عملك؟hal yumkinuka ikhbari mata yantahi 'amaluk?Can you tell me when your work ends?
- زياد Ziadأنتهي عادة في الساعة الخامسة.antahi 'adatan fi al-sa'a al-khamisa.I usually finish at five o'clock.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry متى, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries متى, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
