Questions & Answers about كم كوبا غسل الولد؟
Why is the word for cup singular in Arabic when the English translation says "cups"?
In Arabic, the question word كم (how many) must always be followed by a singular noun, not a plural one. Even though we are asking about multiple cups, the grammar rule for كم requires the singular form كوب (cup).
What is the extra alif (ا) at the end of كوبا doing there?
The noun immediately following كم must take a specific grammatical ending called the accusative case, which adds an "an" sound to the end of the word. In Arabic writing, this "an" sound on a word without "the" is shown by adding an extra alif, turning كوب into كوبا.
Why does the verb غسل (washed) come before the subject الولد (the boy)?
This is the most common word order in Arabic sentences that contain an action. While English uses Subject-Verb ("the boy washed"), Arabic prefers Verb-Subject ("washed the boy").
Where is the word for "did" in the Arabic sentence?
Arabic doesn't use helper verbs like "do" or "did" to ask questions. Instead, it just uses the standard past tense verb غسل (washed). If you read it literally word-for-word, the Arabic sentence asks: How many cup washed the boy?