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 also Hebrew אֵיךְ (éykh, “how”).

Pronunciation

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

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!