Breakdown of كانت المناظرة موضوعية، لكن الحجج غير وجيهة.
الal
the
لكنlâkin
but
كانkâna
to be
غيرghayr
not, un- (before an adjective); other than
حجةhujjah
alibi / argument (reasoning)
موضوعيmawdoo'i
objective
مناظرةmunâzhara
debate
وجيهwajîh
valid (reason, argument)
Questions & Answers about كانت المناظرة موضوعية، لكن الحجج غير وجيهة.
Why is غير used to negate the adjective here instead of ليس?
In Arabic, غير (ghayr) is frequently used to negate adjectives or nouns directly, functioning much like the English prefixes "un-" or "non-". Grammatically, it acts as a noun that forms an Idafa (possessive construction) with the word it negates, meaning the following word وجيهة takes the genitive case.
Is the word لكن in this sentence followed by a specific grammatical case?
Yes. Here it acts as لكنَّ (lākinna), one of the "sisters of Inna". Because it introduces a new nominal clause, it forces its subject الحجج (the arguments) into the accusative case, making it الحججَ (al-ḥujaja). The predicate of the clause, غير (ghayr), takes the nominative case.
الحجج (the arguments) is plural. Why is the adjective وجيهة (valid) in the feminine singular form?
الحجج is the plural of حجة (ḥujja) and is a non-human plural. In Arabic grammar, non-human plurals are treated as feminine singular. Even though it is part of an Idafa with غير, the adjective وجيهة is still logically describing the arguments, so it must take the feminine singular form.
What is the literal meaning behind the word وجيهة (valid)?
It stems from the root و-ج-ه, which is the same root used for وجه (wajh), meaning "face". An argument that is وجيه (wajīh) is one that has "face value" or is worthy of regard, hence translating as "sound" or "valid."
How does the word موضوعية (objective) relate to its Arabic root?
It comes from the root و-ض-ع, which carries the meaning of putting, placing, or laying down. A موضوع (mawḍū') is a "subject" or "topic" (something laid down for discussion). Adding the -ية suffix creates the abstract adjective موضوعية, meaning "objective"—literally, something pertaining strictly to the subject or topic at hand, rather than personal feelings.
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