Question 1

Why use أخذت (took) instead of a verb that just means "measured"?

Accepted Answer

You absolutely could use the past-tense verb for "measured" (قاست) and say قاست مريم طولي. However, using the phrase أخذت قياس (she took the measurement of) is very common and natural in Arabic, just as it is in English.

Question 2

How does the grammar in the phrase قياس طولي work?

Accepted Answer

This is an idaafa (a possessive or "of" relationship). It literally means "the measurement of my height." Notice that the first word, قياس, doesn't have الـ (the). This is a strict rule for the first word in an idaafa. It is already considered definite because the second word, طولي (my height), is definite due to the possessive suffix ـي (my).

Question 3

Does طول mean "height" or "length"?

Accepted Answer

It means both! The word طول is used for both the "length" of an object and the "height" of a person. Context tells you which one is meant. Here, adding the "my" suffix (ـي) makes it clear we are talking about a person's height.

Question 4

If I wanted to say "Maryam took my measurements" (plural), how would the sentence change?

Accepted Answer

You would change the singular noun قياس (measurement) to its plural form قياسات (measurements). Because it is part of an idaafa, you simply swap the word, making the sentence أخذت مريم قياساتي.

أخذت مريم قياس طولي.

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