Questions & Answers about يا زميلي، اطبخ الطعام الآن.
How does the word اطبخ show that it is a command?
It is the singular command form for a male. You usually build these by taking the present tense verb, removing the first letter, and adding a helper alif (ا) at the beginning. The command also ends with a silent pause (a sukuun) instead of a regular vowel.
What vowel sound does the helper alif in اطبخ make?
It makes a 'u' sound, making the word 'utbukh'. In Arabic commands, you look at the middle vowel of the present tense verb. Because 'he cooks' is يطبخ (yatbukh) with a 'u' sound on the middle letter, the helper alif matches it with a 'u'.
If I were talking to a female colleague, how would the command change?
You would add the feminine ending ي to the command, making it اطبخي (utbukhee). You would also need the feminine word for colleague, making the phrase يا زميلتي، اطبخي.
Why do we need the word يا before زميلي?
In Arabic, whenever you speak directly to someone, you must use the calling word يا (ya) before their name or title. English often skips this, but in Arabic, it is required to get their attention.