maxAy

Maxay is a Somali interrogative word that translates roughly as "what" and is used to form open-ended questions. It is one of the main question words in Somali, alongside others such as maxaa, sidee, and goorma, with usage that varies by dialect and register.

In standard Somali, maxay is typically placed at the beginning of a question clause and is followed by the verb and subject. For example, "Maxay tahay sababta?" means "What is the reason?" and "Maxay tahay hawsha maanta?" means "What is the task today?" In colloquial speech, some speakers prefer "maxaa" in many contexts, and the exact form chosen can indicate regional variation or formality.

Phonology and function: Maxay is a two-syllable word pronounced with the stress on the second syllable. It does not inflect, and its meaning remains "what" regardless of the sentence subject. It commonly combines with a copula or a verb to complete the question.

Relation to other interrogatives: Maxay is closely related to maxaa, another form used for questions about things or actions in certain dialects or constructions. The Somali question-word system also includes terms like sidee (how) and goorma (when). The choice among these forms depends on the information sought and on regional variation.

See also: Somali language, Interrogatives, Somali grammar.