Arabic

Pronoun

مَاذَا • ‎(māḏā) m

1. what (interrogative pronoun)
2. what on earth

Usage notes

• As an interrogative pronoun, generally the simple form ما is used only in nominal sentences, while the extended form ماذا is used in verbal sentences:

ما رأيك في هذه المسألة؟‎

Mā raʾyuka fī hāḏihi l-masʾalah?

What is your opinion on this issue?

ماذا تفكر في هذه المسألة؟‎

Māḏā tufakkiru fī hāḏihi l-masʾalah?

What do you think about this issue?