how
ma.tay is an interrogative particle that asks about the time or duration of an action, condition, or expected change.
As an interrogative particle, it frames questions concerning when an anticipated event will occur or how long an ongoing action or condition will continue, whether asking for an endpoint, a return, relief, or a future action.
Senses in use
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Interrogative of time or duration · dominant
The supplied morphology identifies the form as an interrogative particle. In 1 Kings 18:21 the APB renders a question about continuing between two divisions as “How long”; in Amos 8:5 it renders an anticipated end to the new moon as “When”; and in Nehemiah 2:6 it frames questions about the duration of a journey and the time of return.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the particle in time-oriented questions with “How long,” “When,” or “Until when.” These renderings show the clauses' interrogative time reference rather than a fixed English equivalent.