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 1:13 · Word #7

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.

View full lexicon entry for H335 →

SILEX v2

SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)

where

Same as P1No — adjusted for context
RationaleAdjusted from 'where is?' to 'where' because the Hebrew particle אֵי introduces the question 'where,' not 'where is?' in this direct setting.

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...?').

View all comparisons →

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