A Hundred and One Rules in Arabic Grammar!
- The word ما ===============
The word ما has different meanings, depending on the context. It could mean "what," and in this case you are expected to have a demonstarative pronoun or a definite noun following it.
What is this? ما هذا؟
What is his job? ما عملـُهُ؟
When the question word ** ما** is followed by a verb in the past tense, it changes its own function to a negation particle.
I did not eat at this restaurant. ما أکلتُ في هذا المطعم.