لما لا
lima la
The Arabic phrase for "why not" is لما لا (lima la).
The phrase is used as an adverb to ask why something is not the case.
Meaning: why is that not true (adv)
Which one should you use?
لماذا لا؟ is the formal version, while ليش لا؟ is an informal way to say the same thing.
How do you pronounce it?
lima la
Did you know?
- The word لا inside this phrase is a direct linguistic relative of the Hebrew word לֹא, sharing a common ancestor from the Proto-Semitic language family.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, لما لا is often accompanied by a slight shrug or a tilt of the head to signal openness to a suggestion.
- If you use the formal لماذا لا؟ in a casual social setting, you might sound like a news anchor or a character from a period drama.
Examples in context
- لما لا؟Why not?This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase لما لا.Tatoeba #6679433 by marhabaan, translation #30545 by CK
- ليش لا؟Why not
- أنت تقول إنه مستحيل، لكن لما لا؟anta taqūlu innahu mustaḥīl, lakin limā lā?You say it is impossible, but why not?
Example conversation
Maryam and Omar are discussing where to eat lunch.
- مريم Maryamهل تريد تجربة المطعم الإيطالي الجديد؟Hal turīdu tajribat al-maṭʿam al-īṭālī al-jadīd?Do you want to try the new Italian restaurant?
- عمر Omarنعم، يبدو خياراً رائعاً.Naʿam, yabdu khiyāran rāʾiʿan.Yes, it seems like a great choice.
- مريم Maryamإذن، لما لا نذهب إلى هناك الآن؟Idhan, limā lā nadhabu ilā hunāka al-ān?Then, why not go there now?
- عمر Omarهيا بنا يا مريم.Hayyā binā yā Maryam.Let's go, Maryam.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries لا, لما, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
