Question 1

Why does the word for fast end with an alif (سريعا) here?

Accepted Answer

This is because of the verb كان (was). When you use كان, the subject of the sentence takes the standard nominative case, but the descriptive part or predicate takes the accusative case. For an indefinite masculine word like سريع, the accusative case is marked with an 'an' sound, which is written with an extra alif to become سريعا.

Question 2

What does the phrase إلا أن mean in this context?

Accepted Answer

The phrase إلا أن translates to 'however,' 'nevertheless,' or 'except that.' It is formed by combining إلا (except) and أن (that). At this level, it is a very useful connector to contrast two ideas. It works similarly to 'but,' but remember that أن must always be followed by a noun or an attached pronoun rather than a verb.

Question 3

Why would the word for coffee (القهوة) take an accusative 'a' ending if it is the subject of the second clause?

Accepted Answer

Even though coffee is the subject being discussed, it comes immediately after أن. In Arabic grammar, أن and its sister word إن force the noun that directly follows them into the accusative case. Therefore, it takes an 'a' vowel at the end.

Question 4

Why do we switch to كانت in the second half of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

We use كانت, which is the feminine form of كان, because it refers to القهوة (the coffee). Since القهوة is a feminine noun, as indicated by the taa marbuta (ة) at the end, the past tense verb and the adjective باردة (cold) must also match it in the feminine form.

كان النادل سريعا، إلا أن القهوة كانت باردة.

Breakdown of كان النادل سريعا، إلا أن القهوة كانت باردة.

Questions & Answers about كان النادل سريعا، إلا أن القهوة كانت باردة.

Learn كان النادل سريعا، إلا أن القهوة كانت باردة and more in Arabic