Breakdown of لكل جهاز حديث شاشة.
لli
for, to (attached)
جهازjihâz
device
كلkull
all / every
حديثhadîth
modern / recent
شاشةshâsha
screen
Questions & Answers about لكل جهاز حديث شاشة.
How does كل mean "every" here instead of "all"?
The word كل means "every" or "each" when it is followed by a singular, indefinite noun (a noun without "al-"). In this sentence, جهاز (device) is singular and indefinite, creating an Idafa (possession) phrase that translates to "every device". If it were followed by a plural definite noun, it would mean "all the devices".
Where is the word for "has" in this sentence?
Arabic doesn't have a direct verb for "to have" in the present tense. Instead, it often uses the preposition لِـ (li-), which means "to" or "for". This preposition is attached to the front of كل, making لكل (li-kulli). Literally, the sentence says "To every modern device [is] a screen."
How do we know حديث (modern) describes جهاز (device) and not شاشة (screen)?
In Arabic, adjectives come directly after the noun they describe. Also, adjectives must match their noun in gender. حديث is masculine, matching the masculine noun جهاز. Because شاشة is feminine (it ends in a taa marbuuta), its adjective would need to be feminine (حديثة) if it were describing the screen.
Why is شاشة (a screen) at the very end of the sentence?
In Arabic, you generally cannot start a sentence with an indefinite noun (a word meaning "a something", without "al-"). Because شاشة ("a screen") is indefinite, the sentence order has to flip. The prepositional phrase (لكل جهاز حديث) moves to the front, pushing the main subject (شاشة) to the end.
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