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matā kān
When was it?
متى كان؟ (matā kān?) is a common interrogative phrase meaning 'When was it?' used to ask about the timing of past events. It combines the question word متى (matā, when) with the past tense verb كان (kān, was/were), forming a complete question about temporal location in the past.
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متى كان العرس؟
Matā kān al-ʿurs?
When was the wedding?
متى كان آخر مرة رأيت صديقي؟
Matā kān ākhir marrah raʾayt sadīqī?
When was the last time I saw my friend?
متى كان أول يوم لك في الجامعة؟
Matā kān awwal yawm lak fī al-jāmiʿah?
When was your first day at university?
متى كان اجتماع الأمس؟
Matā kān ijtimāʿ al-ʾams?
When was yesterday's meeting?
متى كانت آخر مرة مطرت فيها؟
Matā kānat ākhir marrah maṭarat fīhā?
When was the last time it rained?
This phrase is fundamental in Arabic conversation and appears frequently in daily interactions, storytelling, and historical discussions. Arabs place great importance on temporal context when recounting events, making this question essential for understanding the narrative sequence of stories and experiences. In Arabic culture, the ability to precisely place events in time is valued for contextualizing narratives.
Remember that متى كان requires the past tense verb كان (was/were), so you cannot use it with present or future tense verbs. The word متى always comes at the beginning of the question. If asking about a feminine noun, كان becomes كانت (kānat), as in متى كانت الحفلة؟ (When was the party?). This structure is similar to English 'When was it?' and is used identically.
متى كان؟ (matā kān?) is one of the most essential interrogative phrases in Arabic. It literally translates to "When was it?" and is used to ask about the timing or temporal location of past events. This phrase breaks down into two components: متى (matā, meaning "when") and كان (kān, the past tense form of "to be" in its masculine singular form).
The phrase متى كان combines the interrogative adverb متى with the past tense auxiliary verb كان. When asking about a feminine noun, the verb changes to كانت (kānat). For example:
The structure متى كان always requires the past tense, distinguishing it from متى يكون (matā yakūn, when will it be?) which refers to future events.
This phrase is extensively used in daily conversations across all Arabic-speaking regions. Whether discussing personal memories, historical events, or scheduled appointments that have already passed, متى كان is the natural question to ask.
Example contexts include:
While the phrase متى كان is understood throughout the Arabic-speaking world, colloquial variations exist. In some dialects, speakers may use slightly different constructions, but the meaning remains consistent. Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha) uses this exact form in formal contexts.
The phrase متى كان is part of a larger family of temporal questions in Arabic:
Learners should practice this phrase in multiple contexts:
Remember that متى كان specifically asks about the past. If the event hasn't occurred yet, use متى سيكون instead. Additionally, pay attention to gender agreement with the noun you're asking about, as the form of كان must match the subject's gender and number.
In Arab culture, narrative and storytelling hold significant value. The ability to accurately place events in time is important for sharing experiences and understanding others' stories. This makes متى كان an invaluable phrase for anyone learning to engage in meaningful conversations with Arabic speakers.