ܕܐܟܝ

Assyrian Neo-Aramaic

Alternative forms

• ܕܐܲܝܟ݂ (d-ayḵ), ܕܐܲܟ݂ (d-aḵ), ܕܐܲܟ݂ܝܼ (d-aḵī), ܕܐܲܝܟ݂ܝܼ (d-ayḵī)

Etymology

Univerbation of ܕ (d-) +‎ ܐܲܝܟ݂ (ayḵ, “as”), from Aramaic אַיךּ (ayk). In Old Aramaic, אַיךּ (ayk) was used in the adverbial sense of “how”. Compare a similar construct in Classical Syriac ܐܲܝܟ݂ ܕ- (ʾāḵ d-, “how”) Hebrew אֵיךְ (éykh, “how”).

Pronunciation

• (Standard) IPA^(key): [daːxiː]
• (Nineveh Plains) IPA^(key): [dɪxi], [dɪx]

Adverb

ܕܵܐܟ݂ܝܼ • (dāḵī)

1. (interrogative) how

   Synonym: ܡܵܛܸܒ݂ (māṭiḇ)

   ܕܵܐܟ݂ ܝܼܘܸܬ ― dāḵ īwet ― How are you?

2. (interrogative) what sort, kind
3. (usually with the final yod, polite) what was that?, excuse me?, what?, come again?

   ܕܐܲܟ݂ܝܼ؟ ܠܵܐ ܫܡܝܼܥܵܐ ܠܝܼ ― d-aḵī? lā šmīˁā lī ― What was that? I didn’t hear it.

4. (usually without the final yod) of course, surely, duh

   ܒܲܣܝܼܡܵܐ ܝܠܹܗ؟ ܕܸܟ݂ ― basīmā ìlēh? diḵ ― Is it tasty? Of course!