אֵֽי
𐤀𐤉
ʼay
Of what
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)2 Samuel 15:2 · Word #23
Lexicon H335
| Lemma | אַי |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤀𐤉 |
| Transliteration | ʼay |
| Strong's | H335 |
| Definition | 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...?'). |
Morphology HTi
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | T — Particle — Function word |
| Subtype | i — Interrogative — Interrogative |
Common Translation
| Phrase | Of what |
SIBI-P1 Translation H335-05
where is?
| Morphological Notes | Interrogative particle; likely contracted form related to אין ("there is not"), functioning to question presence or whereabouts. |
| Rendering Rationale | The 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 P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | 'Where' (not 'where is?') is the expected interrogative here introducing a question of location. The copula is not in the Hebrew here. |
Bantu Hebrew
אֵֽי (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...?').