אֵ֥י

𐤀𐤉

ʼay

Where

Interrogative particle meaning 'where?' and, by extension, inquires about place, location, presence, or absence. Primarily functions as a direct question about the whereabouts or situation, especially of persons or objects. In contexts expressing loss, absence, or disregard, it can further signal dismay or incredulity ('where is...?').

kahi "where?" (Kikuyu) · kai "where?" (Luyana) · kai "Where" (Lozi)

H335

2 Samuel 1:3 · Word #4

Lexicon H335

Lemmaאַי
Lemma (Paleo)𐤀𐤉
Transliterationʼay
Strong'sH335
DefinitionInterrogative particle meaning 'where?' and, by extension, inquires about place, location, presence, or absence. Primarily functions as a direct question about the whereabouts or situation, especially of persons or objects. In contexts expressing loss, absence, or disregard, it can further signal dismay or incredulity ('where is...?').

Morphology HTi All morphology codes

Part of Speech T — Particle — Function word
Subtype i — Interrogative — Interrogative

Common Translation

PhraseWhere

SIBI-P1 Translation H335-05

where is?

Morphological NotesInterrogative particle; likely contracted form related to אין ("there is not"), functioning to question presence or whereabouts.
Rendering RationaleThe particle derives from the root meaning "to be absent, to be nothing," and thus asks not merely location but the presence or absence of someone or something. Rendering it as "where is?" preserves the interrogative force and the underlying sense of perceived absence.

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SILEX v2

SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)

where

Same as P1No — adjusted for context
RationaleP1 'where is?' is slightly expanded beyond the strict particle. In context, the simple interrogative 'where' matches better with the phraseology of a question; adjusted for English question structure.

Bantu Hebrew

אֵ֥י (ʼay) — Interrogative particle meaning 'where?' and, by extension, inquires about place, location, presence, or absence. Primarily functions as a direct question about the whereabouts or situation, especially of persons or objects. In contexts expressing loss, absence, or disregard, it can further signal dismay or incredulity ('where is...?').

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Word Meaning Language
kahi where? Kikuyu
kai where? Luyana
kai Where Lozi