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mādhā ʿanhum
What about them?
ماذا عنهم؟ (mādhā ʿanhum) is an interrogative phrase meaning 'What about them?' It is used to inquire about the status, opinion, or situation regarding a third-party group. This phrase combines the question word ماذا (what) with the preposition عن (about) and the masculine plural pronoun هم (them), making it a common colloquial expression in everyday Arabic conversation.
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لقد حصلت على درجة جيدة في الامتحان، ماذا عنهم؟
Laqad ḥaṣaltu ʿalá darajah jayyidah fī al-imtiḥān, mādhā ʿanhum?
I got a good grade on the exam, what about them?
ذهبت إلى الحفلة أمس، ماذا عنهم؟
Dhahabtu ilá al-ḥaflatī ams, mādhā ʿanhum?
I went to the party yesterday, what about them?
أنا سأسافر إلى باريس هذا الصيف، ماذا عنهم؟
Anā sawf asāfir ilá Bārīs hādhā al-ṣayf, mādhā ʿanhum?
I am going to travel to Paris this summer, what about them?
لدي خطط للمستقبل، ماذا عنهم؟
Ladayya khuṭaṭ li-al-mustaqbal, mādhā ʿanhum?
I have plans for the future, what about them?
انتهيت من عملي، ماذا عنهم؟
Intahaytu min ʿamalī, mādhā ʿanhum?
I finished my work, what about them?
In Arabic-speaking cultures, this phrase is commonly used in social conversations, especially when discussing accomplishments, plans, or situations of one person and wanting to know about others in the group. It reflects the communal nature of Arab culture where people are interested in the welfare and status of those around them. The phrase is particularly common in informal, friendly conversations between family members and peers.
Remember that ماذا عنهم is specifically for plural masculine or mixed groups. For a single male, use ماذا عنه, for a single female use ماذا عنها, and for a plural feminine group use ماذا عنهن. This phrase works best in conversational contexts and is more casual than formal written Arabic. Always pair it with a preceding statement to establish context.
The phrase ماذا عنهم (mādhā ʿanhum) translates literally as "What about them?" in English. It is a common interrogative expression used in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and dialects across the Arab world. The phrase breaks down into three components: ماذا (mādhā, meaning "what"), عن (ʿan, meaning "about" or "concerning"), and هم (hum, the masculine plural pronoun "they").
This phrase follows the standard Arabic question word pattern. The interrogative ماذا always appears at the beginning of the question. The preposition عن combines with the pronoun هم to form the prepositional phrase عنهم (ʿanhum, meaning "about them").
It's important to note that the pronoun changes based on gender and number:
ماذا عنهم is typically used after discussing one's own situation, accomplishment, or plan, then turning the conversation to inquire about others. For example, if someone says "I passed my exam," another person might respond with "ماذا عنهم?" (What about them?) to ask how the other classmates performed.
This phrase is most commonly used in informal, conversational Arabic rather than formal written contexts. It's especially prevalent in family discussions, peer conversations, and everyday social interactions where people want to inquire about the status or opinion of others in a group.
Arabic-speaking cultures place significant emphasis on community and collective well-being. The use of ماذا عنهم reflects this cultural value by showing interest in the welfare and circumstances of others. When someone shares good news, it's natural and culturally appropriate for others to ask "What about them?" as a way of extending that concern or interest to the entire group.
This phrase is particularly common in family settings, workplace discussions, and social gatherings. It demonstrates engagement and care for those around you, which is a valued trait in Arab culture.
Consider these realistic scenarios:
In a workplace setting: An employee mentions getting a promotion. Colleagues might ask ماذا عنهم to inquire about whether others were also promoted or considered.
In an educational context: A student discusses receiving a scholarship. Friends might ask ماذا عنهم to find out if their classmates also received scholarships.
In family discussions: A parent mentions their child's successful university admission. Extended family might ask ماذا عنهم regarding other children in the family.
While ماذا عنهم is straightforward, there are several related expressions:
English speakers learning Arabic should remember that this phrase requires context. You cannot use it at the beginning of a conversation; it always follows a statement about oneself or another person. Additionally, pay careful attention to the pronoun agreement. The masculine plural form هم is used for groups of men, groups of mixed gender, or when referring to masculine nouns. Only use the feminine plural form هن when referring specifically to a group of women.
Practice using this phrase with native speakers to develop a natural feel for when and how to use it. Listen to Arabic media, conversations, and social interactions to hear how native speakers employ this common expression in real-world contexts.
ماذا عنهم is a fundamental phrase for anyone learning Arabic conversation skills. Its frequent use in everyday communication, combined with its cultural significance in Arab societies, makes it essential for developing practical language abilities. By understanding the grammar, cultural context, and proper usage of this phrase, learners can engage more authentically with Arabic speakers and demonstrate cultural awareness in their interactions.