Meaning
Asks about the distance to a place.
Cultural Background
People often use 'mish ba'eed' (not far) as a way to encourage you to walk, even if it's a bit of a trek. Due to the heat, 'far' usually means anything that isn't accessible by car with air conditioning. The word 'ya basha' or 'ya rayyes' is often added to the question to be friendly with drivers. In the narrow streets of the Medina, 'far' is more about how many turns you take than the actual distance.
The 'Ayn' Secret
If you can't pronounce the 'ayn' in 'ba'eed' perfectly, just focus on making the 'ee' sound very long and clear; people will still understand you.
Gender Trap
Always check the gender of the place you are going to. If it ends in 'ah' (ة), use 'ba'eeda'.
Meaning
Asks about the distance to a place.
The 'Ayn' Secret
If you can't pronounce the 'ayn' in 'ba'eed' perfectly, just focus on making the 'ee' sound very long and clear; people will still understand you.
Gender Trap
Always check the gender of the place you are going to. If it ends in 'ah' (ة), use 'ba'eeda'.
Relative Distance
In the desert, 'near' might mean 10km. In a city, 'far' might mean 2 blocks. Context is everything!
Test Yourself
Choose the correct pronoun for 'The Library' (المكتبة).
____ هي بعيدة؟
'Hal' is the correct particle for yes/no questions.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'far'.
هل المدرسة ____؟
'Madrasa' is feminine, so the adjective must be 'ba'eeda'.
What would you ask a taxi driver?
Passenger: إلى المطار، من فضلك. هل ____؟
You are asking if the destination (the airport) is far.
Match the response to the question.
هل هو بعيد؟
The response must logically match the 'Yes/No' and the adjective.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Masculine vs Feminine Distance
Ways to Answer
Yes
- • نعم، بعيد
- • بعيد جداً
- • شوية بعيد
No
- • لا، قريب
- • ليس بعيداً
- • قريب جداً
Practice Bank
4 exercises____ هي بعيدة؟
'Hal' is the correct particle for yes/no questions.
هل المدرسة ____؟
'Madrasa' is feminine, so the adjective must be 'ba'eeda'.
Passenger: إلى المطار، من فضلك. هل ____؟
You are asking if the destination (the airport) is far.
هل هو بعيد؟
The response must logically match the 'Yes/No' and the adjective.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, in casual conversation, rising intonation on 'Ba'eed?' is very common.
The opposite is 'Qareeb' (قريب), meaning near.
No, you can say 'Hal al-mat'am ba'eed?' (Is the restaurant far?)
Add 'jiddan' (جداً) at the end: 'Hal huwa ba'eed jiddan?'
Yes, you can ask 'Hal al-maw'id ba'eed?' (Is the appointment far off?)
This is a common dialectal influence, but 'ba'eed 'an' is the correct MSA form.
Use 'Kam yab'ud?' or 'Ma hiya al-masafa?'.
Only for yes/no questions. For 'where' or 'when', use 'Ayna' or 'Mata'.
Yes, if someone is physically far away, but it's less common than for places.
Yes, it is a standard, polite way to ask for information.
Related Phrases
هل هو قريب؟
contrastIs it near?
كم يبعد؟
similarHow far is it?
بعيد المنال
specialized formOut of reach
من بعيد
builds onFrom afar
