Meaning
Asks about the current weather conditions.
Cultural Background
In countries like Saudi Arabia or the UAE, weather talk is dominated by the 'heat index'. People often ask about the weather to decide if it's safe to go outside or if they should wait until after sunset. Rain is highly valued. When asking about the weather, people are often hoping for 'Khair' (goodness/rain). The vocabulary for rain is much richer here. Egyptians are famous for their humor. Even when the weather is bad (like a sandstorm/Khamasin), they will use the question as a way to start a joke about the dust. The weather is often linked to the Mediterranean and Atlantic influences. Conversations often involve comparisons between the coast and the interior desert.
Sun Letters
Remember that 'T' in 'Taqs' is a sun letter, so the 'L' in 'Al' is silent. Pronounce it 'At-Taqs'.
Don't forget 'Huwa'
While 'Ma al-taqs' is understood, adding 'huwa' makes you sound much more fluent and grammatically correct.
Meaning
Asks about the current weather conditions.
Sun Letters
Remember that 'T' in 'Taqs' is a sun letter, so the 'L' in 'Al' is silent. Pronounce it 'At-Taqs'.
Don't forget 'Huwa'
While 'Ma al-taqs' is understood, adding 'huwa' makes you sound much more fluent and grammatically correct.
Use 'Al-Gaw' for Dialect
If you want to sound like a local in Cairo or Beirut, swap 'Al-Taqs' for 'Al-Gaw'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the question.
ما ___ الطقس اليوم؟
We use 'هو' because 'الطقس' is a masculine singular noun.
Which of these is the most formal way to ask about the weather?
Select the formal version:
This is the standard Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) form.
Match the Arabic word to its English meaning.
Match the following:
Correctly matching the components of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate question.
أحمد: __________؟ سارة: الجو مشمس وجميل جداً.
The answer describes the weather, so the question must be about the weather.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Weather Vocabulary
Conditions
- • مشمس (Sunny)
- • غائم (Cloudy)
- • ممطر (Rainy)
Temperature
- • حار (Hot)
- • بارد (Cold)
- • معتدل (Mild)
Practice Bank
4 exercisesما ___ الطقس اليوم؟
We use 'هو' because 'الطقس' is a masculine singular noun.
Select the formal version:
This is the standard Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) form.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Correctly matching the components of the phrase.
أحمد: __________؟ سارة: الجو مشمس وجميل جداً.
The answer describes the weather, so the question must be about the weather.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, it is common in spoken dialects, but 'ما هو الطقس اليوم؟' is the standard written and formal version.
It is masculine, which is why we use the pronoun 'هو' (huwa).
'الطقس' is more formal/scientific (Weather), while 'الجو' is more common/casual (Atmosphere/Air).
You can say 'الطقس [adjective]', for example: 'الطقس جميل' (The weather is beautiful).
Related Phrases
درجة الحرارة
similarThe temperature
النشرة الجوية
builds onThe weather forecast/report
توقعات الطقس
specialized formWeather expectations/forecast
الجو صحو
contrastThe weather is clear
