مهما

Root entry · 3 derived lemmas

The root 'مهما' primarily functions as a conditional particle, introducing clauses that express a general condition. It can refer to non-rational things, time, or even be used interrogatively, often requiring further words to complete its meaning.

Derived headwords

مهماparticle

1.
whateverboth
Used to introduce a conditional clause, referring to anything non-rational and not time-specific, implying a condition and consequence.
2.
wheneverclassical
Used as an adverb of time, functioning as a ظرف (adverbial) for the conditional verb, implying 'whenever' or 'at whatever time'.
3.
whatclassical
Used interrogatively, asking about something, though often requiring further context or words to clarify.

مهما تأتنا به من آية — Whatever sign you bring us

مهما تعط بطنك سؤله وفرجك — Whenever you give your belly its desire and your private parts

مهparticle

1.
stop!classical
An imperative particle meaning 'refrain!' or 'cease!', often used as a component in the formation of 'مهما'.

مه أي اكفف — 'Mah' meaning 'refrain!' or 'stop!'

ماparticle

1.
whatboth
A relative pronoun or interrogative particle, which, when combined with 'مه' or another 'ما', forms the word 'مهما'.

Parallel reading

بسيطة لا مركبة من مه

simple, not compounded from 'mah'

بمعنى أكفف

meaning 'refrain!'

وما صلة

and 'ma' is an augmentative particle

زعم الخليل أن مهما أصلها ما ضمت إليها ما لغوا وأبدلوا الألف هاء

Al-Khalil claimed that the origin of 'mahma' is 'ma' to which another 'ma' was added superfluously, and they replaced the 'alif' with a 'ha'.

وقال سيبويه يجوز أن تكون مه كإذ ضم إليها ما

And Sibawayh said it is permissible for it to be 'mah' as if 'ma' was added to it.

وما اسم الذي لا يفهم إلا باستفاضة كلمتين، أو الاقتصار منه على حرفين

And what is the name of that which is only understood by the elaboration of two words, or by limiting it to two letters

وهي مهما

and it is 'mahma'.

والقول الثاني وهو الصحيح أن الأصل فيها ما فزيدت عليها ما أخرى كما تزاد ما على أن

And the second opinion, which is correct, is that its origin is 'ma', and another 'ma' was added to it, just as 'ma' is added to 'anna'.

فصار لفظها ما ما فثقل عليهم توالي كلمتين بلفظ واحد فأبدلوا من الألف الأولى هاء فصار تامهما

So its pronunciation became 'ma ma', and it became burdensome for them to have two words in succession with one pronunciation, so they replaced the first 'alif' with a 'ha', making it 'tamma'.

ومهما من أدوات الشرط والجزاء ومتى لفظت بها لم يتم الكلام إلا بإيراد كلمتين بعدها كقولك: مهما تفعل أفعل

And 'mahma' is from the tools of condition and consequence, and when you utter it, the speech is not complete except by bringing two words after it, like your saying: 'Whatever you do, I will do'.

وإنك مهما تعط بطنك سؤله وفرجك نالا منتهى الذم أجمعا

And indeed, whenever you give your belly its desire and your private parts, they will attain the utmost blame altogether.

فتنقلب ألفها هاء نحو: مهما على الأصح من القولين

so its 'alif' turns into a 'ha', like 'mahma', according to the soundest of the two opinions.

وقد يستعمل للظرف نحو: مهما تصب أفقا من بارق تشم

And it may be used adverbially, like: 'Whatever horizon of lightning you encounter, you smell it'.

مهما لي الليلة مهما ليه

What is it for me tonight? What is it for him?