Questions & Answers about أين قضيت العطلة؟
Why does the verb قضيت have a ي (yaa) in the middle of it here?
The root for the verb 'to spend' is ق ض ي. Its dictionary form (he spent) is written with an alif maqsurah as قضى (qadaa). However, because it is a 'defective' verb (ending in a weak letter), that original ي comes back when you attach a subject suffix like the ـت for 'you'.
How do I know if قضيت is addressed to a man or a woman?
Without short vowels (tashkeel), it can be either! You would pronounce it 'qadayta' when speaking to a male, and 'qadayti' when speaking to a female. Context usually makes it clear. (It could technically also be 'qadaytu' meaning 'I spent', but 'Where did I spend the vacation?' is a much rarer question!)
Can I use this same verb to ask someone where they spent their money?
No, the verb قضى is used specifically for spending time. If you want to talk about spending money, you would use a different verb, such as أنفق (anfaqa) or صرف (sarafa).
How is the final word العطلة pronounced in this sentence?
Because العطلة (the vacation) is the object of the verb, it takes a fatha at the end. In formal, continuous Arabic, it is pronounced 'al-'utlata'. However, because it is at the very end of the sentence, it is most natural to pause here, turning the final 'taa marbuta' into an 'ah' sound: 'al-'utlah'.
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