Learn Arabic (Modern Standard): ما الاسم؟

In Arabic, we use ما before nouns or pronouns (like الاسم, meaning 'the name'). We use ماذا before verbs (action words). Since 'the name' is a noun, ما is the correct choice to ask this question.

Where is the word for 'is' in this sentence?

Arabic does not use the verb 'to be' (is, am, are) in present tense sentences. You just put the question word and the noun next to each other. So, ما الاسم literally translates to 'What [is] the name?'.

How do you pronounce this? Do I say 'ma al-ism'?

When speaking naturally, it is pronounced 'mal-ism'. The letter alif at the beginning of الاسم is a 'connecting alif' (hamzat wasl). This means its vowel sound drops out when it immediately follows another word, making the sentence flow smoothly.