għaliex / għalfejn
Asking Why
Put the why expression before the clause you want explained.
How It Works
Use għaliex or għalfejn before a clause to ask why its situation holds. These expressions do not agree with the subject. The predicate retains the forms appropriate to its participants, aspect and auxiliaries.
Compare Għaliex qed tidħaq?, “Why are you laughing?” with Għaliex Anna waslet tard?, “Why did Anna arrive late?” The first asks about ongoing activity; the second concerns a completed arrival. In se titlaq, context can identify one addressee and an anticipated departure.
A reply with għax can give a cause; a reply with biex can explain an intended goal. Both can answer a why question. An ordinary għal phrase expresses a prepositional relation rather than functioning by itself as “why.”
Examples (3)
- Għaliex qed tidħaq?
Why are you laughing?
Qed marks ongoing activity; context identifies the singular addressee.
- Għalfejn se titlaq kmieni?
Why are you going to leave early?
Se presents an anticipated departure; titlaq addresses one person here.
- Għaliex Anna waslet tard?
Why did Anna arrive late?
Waslet agrees with Anna and presents a completed arrival.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- għaxGiving a Reason
A reason clause can answer a why question.
Level 2 - biexAn Intended Purpose
An intended goal can explain an action.
Level 2 - għal / għall-To or for
An ordinary prepositional phrase differs from a why expression.
Level 1 - qed + imperfectAn Action in Progress
Progressive marking specifies an ongoing situation being questioned.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice għaliex / għalfejn in Bubblegum
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