Questions & Answers about ماذا تريد حضرتك؟
Why do we use ماذا instead of ما for 'what' in this sentence?
In Arabic, we generally use ماذا before verbs, like تريد (you want). The word ما is usually used before nouns or pronouns, such as when asking for a name.
The word حضرتك is translated as 'sir' here, but what does it literally mean?
Literally, حضرتك means 'your presence'. It is a very common, respectful way to say 'you' to someone older, a customer, or in a formal setting, functioning much like 'sir' or 'ma'am' in English.
If حضرتك is formal, why does the verb تريد stay in the standard singular form?
Unlike languages such as French that use plural verbs for politeness, Arabic does not. The verb stays singular because you are still speaking to one person.
How would I change this sentence if I were speaking to a female customer or colleague?
You would change the verb to the feminine singular form, تريدين, and change the ending of the polite pronoun to the feminine حضرتك (pronounced hadratuki instead of hadratuka). The sentence becomes ماذا تريدين حضرتك؟.
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