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Arabica A guide to the Arabic Language Salman al-Hasan © Ibn Jabal Institute 2006 / 1427 AH All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission of the copyright owner

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Page 1: Ibn Jabal Arabica

Arabica

A guide to the Arabic Language

Salman al-Hasan

© Ibn Jabal Institute 2006 / 1427 AH

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means,

electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission of the copyright owner

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ii

������ ��� ��� �� � � �� ������ ���

The One who taught Man by the pen

Taught Man that he knew not

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 0 PRELIMINARIES 1

CHAPTER 1 PHRASES 24

SECTION 1.1 THE QUASI SENTENCE 24

SECTION 1.2 POSSESSION 29

SECTION 1.3 DEMONSTRATION 40

SECTION 1.4 DESCRIPTION 47

CHAPTER 2 THE NOUN SENTENCE 56

CHAPTER 3 THE VERBAL SENTENCE 56

SUMMARY OF VERB FORMS 97

CHAPTER 4 GOVERNMENT 99

CHAPTER 5 DUALS OR PLURALS 121

CHAPTER 6 NUMBERS ONE TO TEN 131

CHAPTER 7 THE FIVE NOUNS 141

CHAPTER 8 ADVERBS OF TIME AND PLACE 152

CHAPTER 9 FURTHER POSSESSION 160

CHAPTER 10 QUANTIFICATION AND COMPARISON 169

CHAPTER 11 DOUBLED AND HAMZATED WORDS 178

CHAPTER 12 WEAK VERBS 190

CHAPTER 13 TERMINAL WEAK VERBS 199

CHAPTER 14 كانا HER SISTERS AND HALF SISTERS 128

CHAPTER 15 إن HER SISTERS ظن HER SISTERS 132

CHAPTER 16 أن HER SISTERS 248

ARABICA ANSWERS CH 1 - 10 258

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�������

Preliminaries

Words

Arabic divides words into three categories:

1. ���� ���� (Verbs)

2. ������ �� (Nouns)

3. !"#$%$& (Particles)

A '��(� (verb, fi⊂lun) is a word that has a self-contained meaning of its own and has a tense or a time in

which the meaning exists. An �!�� (noun, ismun) has a self-contained meaning of its own but no tense. A

!"�%�& (particle, Harfun) has no self-contained meaning of its own. Often we say that a !"�%�& (particle) is

any word that is neither a �(� '� (verb) nor an �!�� (noun).

P1 �� ����� (Nouns)

In English we refer to adjectives as a separate category to nouns. A noun is the name of a person, place,

thing, state, quality or action. An adjective is a word that describes a noun. We say that an adjective

modifies a noun by limiting, qualifying or specifying it.

In Arabic we class adjectives together with nouns as one general category called ������ �� (nouns or

names). Arabic does distinguish between nouns and adjectives but does not have a single word

corresponding to the English word ‘noun’. For the purposes of this book, we are going to be slightly

vernacular and will use the term !�� � narrowly to mean ‘noun’. The word for adjective in Arabic is �)�*'+

(Sifatun).

P2 Vowels

A consonant is a static sound that cannot move. A consonant needs a vowel either before it or after it in

order to ‘move’ or liaise with other consonants. For example, the consonant ‘b’ can only ‘move’ if we

say ‘ab’ or ‘ba’.

The word for vowel in Arabic is �)�,�%�& (Harakatun) which literally means ‘movement’. There are three

principal !-��,�%�& (vowels) in Arabic:

1. The �).��/ (Dhammatun) represented by the symbol 01 above a letter produces a ‘u’ sound

2. The �)�2�3�� (fatHatun) represented by the symbol 04 above a letter produces an ‘a’ sound

3. The �5�%���,(kasratun) represented by the symbol 0' below a letter produces an ‘e’ sound

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The ��678$ (sukuunun), represented by the symbol 09 above a !"�%�& (letter), indicates that the !"�%�& (letter)

carries no �)�,�%�& (vowel).

A !"�%�& (letter) carrying a �)�,�%�& (vowel) is called !:;%�2�3$� (voweled, lit. moving, mutaHarrikun) and a !"�%�&

(letter) with a ��678$ is called !<',�� (unvoweled, lit. still or silent, saakinun).

The !-��,�%�& (vowels) given above are often called short vowels. When the letters �� , �# and � are !<',��

(unvoweled) they are called ;=����� $"#$%$& (letters of elongation, Huruufu al-maddi) or long vowels. When

placed after their corresponding !-��,�%�& (vowels), these ;=����� $"#$%$& (letters of elongation) produce >=�� (elongation, maddun):

���� (maa) �#7? (dhuu) �@'� (fii)

As illustrated above, �� is used to elongate �)�2�3�� , �# to elongate �).��/ and � to elongate �5�%���, .

When the letters � , # and carry a �)�,�%�& (vowel), they become consonants.

�� (a)

�# (wa)

� (ya)

The alif, when !:;%�2�3$� (voweled) is no longer called an alif. It becomes a hamza.

P3 ������� (Nunation)

Often an Arabic noun or adjective is pronounced with a � (n) sound at the end. This is called !<�'6�A�B or ‘nunation’. This � however, is not written but is represented by a doubled vowel:

'���3.��/ 0� (un

)

�2�3��'���3 0C (an

)

�%���,'���B 0D (in

)

For example, the word for ‘book’ in Arabic is pronounced �<$���3', (kitaabun) but written as !E��3', (kitaabun).

!<�'6�A�B appears only on ������ �� (nouns) and never on !"#$%$& (particles) or ���� ���� (verbs).

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P4 �������� (Declension)

Arabic words are either !E�%� $� (declinable/variable, mu⊂rabun) or >@'A�F�� (indeclinable/fixed, mabniyyun). A

declinable word is able to change the vowel on its last letter. An indeclinable word is fixed on one

vowel ending. For example, the word !E��3', (kitaabun) meaning ‘book’ is !E�%� $� (declinable) so we may

say H����3', (kitaaban) or DE��3', (kitaabin) depending on the meaning we want to produce. On the other hand,

the word �# (wa) meaning ‘and’ is >@'A�F�� (indeclinable) and never becomes $# (wu) or '# (wi). >@'A�F�� (indeclinable) words never have !<�'6�A�B .

We shall see later that most ������ �� (nouns) are !E�%� $� (declinable). Most verbs and all !"#$%$& (particles)

are >@'A�F�� (indeclinable).

As illustrated above, we shall represent the vowel endings on � $�!E�% (declinable) words in superscript.

P5 ����������� (Definition)

Nouns are either definite or indefinite. Definite words refer to things that are particular and therefore

identifiable. Indefinite words refer to things that are members of a class and are therefore non-

particular and unidentifiable. The expression ‘a book’ is indefinite because we do not know which

particular book is being referred to. To make it definite, we need to introduce a ‘determiner’ as in the

expressions ‘the book’, ‘this book’ and ‘my book’ which are definite. The Arabic word for definite is

�)��'%� �� (ma⊂rifatun) which interestingly means ‘knowledge’; definite things, being identified are thereby

‘known’. The Arabic word for indefinite is �5�%'8�� (nakiratun) which interestingly means ‘unknown’.

Indefinite things, being unidentified are ‘unknown’.

P5.1 Common Nouns and Proper Nouns

‘Common nouns’ refer to classes of things, such as the word ‘city’. ‘Proper nouns’ (often called

‘proper names’) refer to particular things, such as ‘Damascus’.

Proper nouns are intrinsically �)��'%� �� (definite) because they are the names of particular things, such

as ‘Damascus’. Common nouns may be indefinite, such as in the expression ‘a city’. Common nouns

can be made definite by a ‘determiner’, such as in the expressions ‘the city’, ‘this city’ and ‘my city’.

P5.2 Articles of Definition

The most common way of making common nouns indefinite and definite is by using articles of

definition. In English, the word ‘a’ (‘an’ before a vowel) is called the ‘indefinite article’. Placing it

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before a common noun makes it indefinite. The word ‘the’ is called the ‘definite article’. Placing it

before a common noun makes it definite.

Articles of definition apply only to common nouns and not to proper nouns. Proper nouns such as

‘Damascus’ cannot be made indefinite because they are intrinsically definite. We cannot say ‘a

Damascus’ or ‘a London’. It also makes no sense to say ‘the Damascus’ or ‘the London’.

There is no indefinite article in Arabic. ‘A book’ is simply expressed as,

!E��3', A book

(kitaabun)

We can think of a !<�'6�A�B (tanweenun

) or nunation on the final letter of an Arabic common noun or

adjective as the indefinite article which usually indicates that it is �5�%'8�� (indefinite).

The Arabic definite article is ���I... (al) which is called the 'J�'%� .3�� 75��K�� (lit. particle of definition, adaatu

at-ta⊂reefi). It is prefixed to an !�� � (noun) or �)�*'+ (adjective). ‘The book’ is expressed as,

���$E��3'8 The book

(al-kitaabu)

Notice that the un sound on the final letter is replaced by a simple u sound. In short, the I��� at the

beginning and the u at the end tell us that the word is �)��'%� �� (definite).

� First Aid

Beginners sometimes fail to distinguish between a �5�%'8�� (indefinite) and �)��'%� �� (definite) word. They say for example:

$E��3',

���!E��3'8

(kitaabu) –

(al-kitaabun

) –

Which appears to be neither �)��'%� �� (definite)

because of the absence of the I��� , nor �5�%'8�� (indefinite) because there is no un at the end.

Placing the un

of the �5�%'8�� (indefinite) on a �)��'%� �� (definite) word beginning with I��� .

Prescription

Restrict yourself to saying either:

!E��3', which is �5�%'8�� (indefinite), or

���$E��3'8 which is �)��'%� �� (definite).

�������

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We stated above that articles of definition only apply to common nouns and not to proper nouns

because proper nouns are intrinsically definite. You will find that some proper nouns do however have

!<�'6�A�B or I��� , such as !L��M (Greater Syria, shaamun) and !<���� (Yemen, yamanun) which are also written as

��$L��N (ash-shaamu) and $<���O��� (al-yamanu). Some proper nouns come invariably with an I��� such as $P��%' ��� (Iraq, al-⊂iraaqu) and $Q;R�� (China, aS-Seenu). We have this in English too with ‘The Congo’ and ‘The

Levant’. These should not be thought of as articles of definition. They are simply conventions that

have developed as these words were used over time.

P5.3 Proper names that derive from common nouns

(a) The word for God in Arabic is S�1 (allaahu) which is a proper name. One opinion suggests that this is

an assimilation of the definite article I��� with the word !T��'U (god, ilaahun (an alif in pronounced but not written

after the lam)), rendering $T���� (al-ilaahu). The hamza is then dropped, and the two lams are assimilated in

pronunciation but written separately.

� 9� + $T��= $T����� =1 S�

Another opinion states that the proper name 1 S� , being the personal and unique name of God is

indivisible like God Himself, and has no etymology.

(b) People like to give their children names with beautiful meanings and this is why some words such

as !<���& have two existences, one as an adjective and one as a proper name.

The word !<���& started its life – as the !<�'6�A�B suggests – as an indefinite adjective meaning ‘handsome’.

Making it definite renders $<���2��� (the handsome).

Then one day someone named their son !<���& . The moment they did so, this adjective ossified into a

proper name. We translate the proper name !<���& as ‘Hasan’ without regard to the descriptive meaning

the original adjective had. As a proper name, !<���& (Hasan) is �)��'%� �� (definite). The !<�'6�A�B is not an

indefinite article, but merely a surviving accoutrement of its previous existence as an adjective.

The I��� should not normally be attached to proper names that have ossified from the adjective without

it. However, I��� is sometimes attached to such proper names as an allusion to the descriptive meaning

of the original adjective. We might for example, attach I��� to the name !<���& rendering $<���2��� (al-

Hasan) to suggest that the person whose name is Hasan is also himself handsome. (This explains the

name of the author of this book). The proper name !=.��2$� behaves in the same way except that it is no

longer used as an adjective.

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P6 Moon Letters and Sun Letters

Pronunciation

• The I�� of the definite article I��� is pronounced when a word begins with one of the

following letters:

� E X Y Z [ \ " P : L ] #

These are called 7).�'%������� $"#$%$2��� (the ‘Moon Letters’, al-huruufu al-qamariyyatu).

They are called so because when we make the word !%��� (moon, qamarun) �)��'%� �� (definite),

we say it ���$%���� (al-qamaru), pronouncing the I�� of the definite article I��� .

• The I�� of the definite article I��� is not pronounced when a word begins with one of the

remaining letters of the alphabet:

- _ K ? ` a b c d e f g � �

These are called 7).O'���.N�� $"#$%$2��� (al-huruufu ash-shamsiyyat

u, the ‘Sun Letters’).

They are called so because when we make the word !h���M (sun, shamsun

) �)��'%� �� (definite),

we say it $h��.N�� (ash-shamsu), not pronouncing the I�� of the definite article I��� .

It is not necessary to memorise these two lists of letters. Instead, notice that all the Sun

Letters are pronounced very near the place in the mouth from which the I�� is

pronounced. The I�� of the definite article I��� is not pronounced when followed by a Sun

Letter to avoid the difficulty on the tongue of successively uttering two letters

pronounced from the same part of the mouth. This difficulty does not occur with the

Moon Letters so the I�� is pronounced.

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P7 The Hamza

Orthography

• 75�i���] 'j�k����� (Disjunctive hamza, hamzatu al-qaT⊂i)

A ‘glottal stop’ is the sound at the beginning of the word ‘at’. In Arabic, the glottal stop

is usually represented by the letter ‘hamza’ written as ‘ � ’ . When a word begins with a

glottal stop sound, we assume that we should write an initial hamza to represent this.

The initial hamza is written as follows: 'U / �� /7� . For example, if we want to say the

word ‘akhbaarun

’, we write ! ��F�m�� . The initial hamza must always be written and

pronounced. This is called 75�i���] 'j�k����� (hamzatu-l-qaT⊂i). When the 75�i���] 'j�k����� is preceded

by a vowel, it is still pronounced:

���#������ (wa’asmaa’un

)

• 75�i���] '(�+�6��� (Conjunctive or ‘liaison’ hamza, hamzatu al-waSli)

Sometimes, we appear to pronounce a glottal stop at the beginning of certain words but

do not write � (hamza). Such words are few and can simply be learned. So far we have

encountered !�� � and the definite article I��� . We never write � (hamza) on the initial � (alif) of such words. To do so is a spelling mistake. This is because there is actually no

� (hamza) there. This is called 75�i���] '(�+�6��� (hamzatu-l-waSl

i), which is often written like

this n .

The only time an initial hamza sound is pronounced on such words is when they begin a

sentence. This hamza sound is imported like a liaison vowel in order to get the sentence

started (cf. P8). It is not possible to start on a sukuun; !�� and I�� are impossible to

pronounce. When this occurs, the initial � (alif) in often vowelled to indicate that a

hamza sound needs to be produced: !�� '� and ��I�� .

When such words are preceded by a vowelled letter, this liaison vowel need not be

supplied and the � (alif) is overridden:

�#!�� � (wasmun)

I����#... (wal …)

�#$%������� (wa-l-qamaru)

�#$h��.N�� (wa-sh-shamsu)

i

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P8 The liaison vowel

Phonetics

The word ‘phone’ refers to ‘sound’, and is where the word ‘telephone’

comes from. A phonetic change is a change we make to the way we say

something because it is either difficult or impossible to say it the way it

should be. In English, for example, the indefinite article ‘a’ changes to ‘an’

when followed by a vowel simply because it is easier to say. Try saying ‘a

apple’ and then ‘an apple’.

In Arabic, when the 75�i���] '(�+�6��� on the definite article I��� is preceded by

��678$ we encounter something called 1����'3��� �'<�O�A',�.�� (iltiqaa’u as-

saakinayni, the meeting of two vowelless consonants). This renders it

impossible to pronounce:

I��� ��$] (hum –l)

'�I��� �< (min –l)

�(�] I��� (hal –l)

It is possible to pronounce both consonants by stopping:

I���� ��$] (hum al)

I���� �<'� (min al)

�(�] ��I�� (hal al)

However, this stilts the flow of speech so we often import a �)�F' ��A$� �)�,�%�&

(liaison vowel, lit. appropriate vowel). If the vowel preceding the ��678$ is a

�).��/ the liaison vowel is �).��/ . If it is a �)�2�3�� the liaison vowel is a �5�%���, and

vice versa:

I��� $�$] (humu-l)

I��� �<'� (mina-l)

'(�] I��� (hali-l)

Compare for example, the euphonic harmony of '(�] I��� (hali-l) with the

disjointedness of �(�] ��I�� (hal al).

i

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P9 � ���!�� ��" �#������$�� (The Diptote)

You will notice that there are some words in the vocabulary lists that are given,

1. without !<�'6�A�B , and

2. without I��� These words are called '"�%.R�� �<'� ![6$A���� (diptotes).

P9.1 There are intrinsically definite Proper Noun Diptotes, such as,

7)o8�� Makkah $p�N��'K Damascus

P9.2 There are indefinite common noun diptotes such as,

1���%�2�+ Desert 1�����=7 Ancients

These words should be learned without !<�'6�A�B . Note that while the proper noun diptote is intrinsically

definite, the common noun diptote is indefinite. To make it definite, we simply attach ���I to it:

��.R1���%�2 The desert 1�����=7���� The ancients

'"�%.R�� �<'� $[6$A������� (The Diptote) will be explained in chapter four. For the moment, you simply need to

recognise it and learn it without !<�'6�A�B .

P10 %&�����$�� �'��(� (The Weak Noun)

In Arabic, there are three letters that are considered to be ‘weak’ letters. They are called ')o�' ��� $"#$%$&

(letters of weakness):

1. q ( �5� 6$R���� !J'��� , short alif, (alifun maqSuuratun)), (also called �)�����$� !J'��� , long alif)

� ( �5�K#$=���� !J'��� , stretched alif, (alifun mamduudatun )) (also called �)���'6�r !J'��� , inclined alif)

2. # (wa)

3. (ya)

If the final root letter of a word is not weak it is called a !�� �!sO'2�+ (sound noun). When the final root

letter is weak it is called a !�� �t(�3� $� (weak noun) and undergoes certain phonetic changes.

The alif is considered weak because, being itself a long vowel, it is not able to carry another vowel. A

vowel needs a solid consonant to carry it. It is actually physically impossible to pronounce a vowel on

an alif and prizes will be awarded to anyone who can! Arabs calls this ! Cu�� �B (impossibility).

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Orthography

Often we see what appear to be vowels on an �5�K#$=���� !J'��� . In fact what we

see are not alifs but hamzas: 17� , �� , 'U . Often a vowel is written on the alif of

words such as !�� '� and on the definite article I���� . These are liaison vowels

on alifs carrying '(�+�6��� 75�i���] (cf. P5 The Hamza), not vowels on alifs proper.

The # and are considered weak because it is often, but not always, �(O'��v (inelegant, lit. heavy) on the

tongue to pronounce a vowel on them. Arabs call this �(��'v (inelegance lit. heaviness). This will be

explained below.

P10.1 �)��!$*�$�� (The short)

Words such as IA� ��wx (meaning, ma⊂nan) and wxyA�z$� (dual, muthannan) are called ! 6$R���� (short) because they

end in �5� 6$R���� !J'��� which is written as q (like a but without dots). As you can see, wxIA� �� looks

quite different from the regular Arabic word that ends in !<�'6�A�B such as !E��3', . This is because it

undergoes certain phonetic changes. For the moment you simply need to know that there is a category

of word called ! 6$R���� that ends in �5� 6$R���� !J'��� and has a fatha !<�'6�A�B on the penultimate letter.

But we know that you are a curious bunch and for those of you who really want to know why, we have

explained it in the box below. If you find it befuddling, take a deep breath and gently move on. Don’t

worry, you can revisit it later.

Phonetics

The word wxIA� �� should be ‘ !@�A� �� ’ (ma⊂

nayun

) but the ‘ayu’ sound is �(O'��v (inelegant) in the Arabic tongue. In response, the changes to �5� 6$R���� !J'��� rendering ‘ !x�A� �� ’ (ma

naa–un

). Earlier we said that !E��3', is actually

pronounced ‘ �<$���3', ’. If we do the same for ‘ !x�A� �� ’ we get ‘ $x�A� �� �� ’ . It is not

physically possible to pronounce a vowel on an !J'��� because an !J'��� is itself a

long vowel. A vowel needs a solid consonant to carry it. To overcome this,

we override the �5� 6$R���� !J'��� and pronounce the !<�'6�A�B on the letter preceding

it: ‘ xwA� �� ’ (ma⊂

nan

) (or phonetically, x�A� �� �� ). Finally, the �5� 6$R���� !J'��� is still

written though not pronounced and it is a convention to write the !<�'6�A�B on the

�5� 6$R���� !J'��� though it is actually pronounced on the letter preceding it:

wxIA� �� (ma⊂

nan

).

i

i

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Some ! 6$R���� words such as H�R� (stick, ⊂aSan) are written with �5�K#$=���� !J'��� (‘stretched alif’, also called

�)���'6�r !J'��� or ‘long alif). They are still called ! 6$R���� even though they have no �5� 6$R���� !J'��� . The word

H�R� should be ‘ !@�R� ’ (⊂

aSayun

). The phonetic changes it undergoes are identical to that of wxIA� �� .

When the definite article ���I is attached to wxIA� �� and H�R� , they are pronounced ����A� ���xI (al-ma⊂

naa)

and ������R� (al-⊂aSaa).

! 6$R���� (short) words that are '"�%.R�� �<'� ![6$A���� (diptotes) such as �x� 6$� (muusaa, Moses), �q� ��2�+

(SaHaaraa, deserts), ���O��$K (dunyaa, world) and �x����=7 (ancients) as expected, do not have !<�'6�A�B . When the

definite article I��� is attached to the common nouns among them we have ���q� ��2.R (aS-SaHaaraa, the

deserts), �����O��{= (ad-dunyaa, the world) and ����x����=7� (al-qudaamaa, the ancients).

P10.2 �+�,*���$�� (The reduced)

Words such as D[��K (caller) and DK��# (valley) are called !d67��A�� (reduced) because they drop their final

letter. The root of the word D[��K is K 6 (d-⊂

-w) so it should be ‘!6'��K ’ (daa⊂

iwun

). The root of the word

DK��# is K# (w-d-y) so it should be ‘!'K��# ’ (waadiyun

). However, the sounds ‘iwu’ and ‘iyu’ are �(O'��v (inelegant) in the Arabic tongue, so the weak letter is dropped leaving the !<�'6�A�B to be pronounced on the

penultimate letter.

When made �)��'%� �� (definite), a � is appended to !d67��A�� words, rendering ���@'�.= and �'K��6��� .

!d67��A�� (reduced) words of the form D[����� such as De�� �� (lands) and D��� �� (meanings) are '"�%.R�� �<'� ![6$A���� (diptotes). This is not apparent at first instance, there being no evident difference in ending between the

words DK��# and De�� �� . We will expand upon this later.

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P11 Vocabulary

You will have noticed that there are some words in Arabic that suffer certain anomalies relating to the

way they end. We will use this opportunity to enumerate them and put them into categories, choosing

one word of each type as a paradigm heading. We can think of these categories as mental vocabulary

‘boxes’.

On a clean sheet of paper, draw out seven columns in the following manner.

�2O'2.R�� 1����� 4|�7) (Sound Nouns)

BOX 1 BOX 2 BOX 3

Generic

Default

Box

��"� ���!�� ��" �#���

Proper Noun

Diptote

� ���!�� ��" �#�����" Common Noun

Diptote

!}�O�� 7)o8�� 1���%�2�+

7)o��3� $���� 1����� 4|� (Weak Nouns)

BOX 4 BOX 5 BOX 6 BOX 7

�)��!$*" �)��!$*" Diptotes

��"�+�,* �+�,*��" Diptotes

wxIA� �� x� 6$� D[��K De�� �� H�R� ��O��$K DK��# D��� �� wxyA�z$� q� ��2�+

x����=7

You can then enter any new word you encounter into one of these ‘boxes’ so that you know exactly

how it behaves. Box 1 is simply the default box and you need not write anything in it. If you occupy

yourself too much with it you will spend a very long time filling it!

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P12 ,-.�/!�� (Word form)

Most Arabic words are produced from a three letter root. ~ 3 , (k-t-b) for example are the root letters

for the words !E��3', (book) and �)����3', (writing). � � , (k-l-m) are the root letters of the words !L���,

(speech) and �)��'��,(word). Words are produced from their roots by adding, dropping or changing letters

and vowels. English grammarians often call root letters ‘radicals’. (The English word ‘radical’,

contrary to common perception, simply means ‘root’ – as in radish). A root letter or radical in Arabic is

called a !L'a�� !"�%�& (lit. necessary letter) and a non-root letter is called a !='���a !"�%�& (extra letter). Arabic

uses the letters ( � (f-⊂

-l) to map ���O'+ (word forms). ( � is called {@'��%.R�� 7���iO'���� (the morphology

template (lit. scale).

P13 The �&�� �0$�� �'��� (Active Participle) and �1���$0�$�� �'��� (Passive Participle)

The �)��O'+ (form) �('��� is used to produce the '('��*��� $�� � or Active Participle from the root. An Active

Participle is a noun or adjective that refers to the ‘doer’ or active agent of the action denoted by the

root. For example, the root ~ 3 , (k-t-b) denotes the action of ‘writing’, so the Active Participle !~'B��,

refers to ‘one who writes’ or ‘writer’. The root � � � (f-h-m) denotes the action of ‘understanding’ so

the Active Participle ��!�']� refers to ‘one who understands’.

The �)��O'+ (form) ��6$ �*�� is used to produce the '�6$ �*����� $�� � or Passive Participle from the root. A Passive

Participle is a noun or adjective that refers to the ‘done to’ or passive agent of the action denoted by the

root. For example, the root ~ 3 , (k-t-b) denotes the action of ‘writing’, so the Passive Participle

!E6$3�8�� refers to something ‘written’. The root � � � (f-h-m) denotes the action of ‘understanding’ so

the Passive Participle !L6$��*�� refers to something ‘understood’.

P14 The relative adjective

It is possible to produce a �)�*'+ (adjective) from an !�� � (noun) by suffixing 0>' to it. This is called 1����')�F��;A�� (the yaa’of relating). This produces an attributive ‘relating to…’ meaning. In English, we suffix

‘–ic’ in this way to produce ‘Islamic’ from ‘Islam’ and suffix ‘–tary’ to produce ‘monetary’ from

‘money’. suffixing 0>' produces a ‘relative adjective’ that is indefinite, masculine and singular, despite

the characteristics of the original word.

>@'���� 'U

Islamic (islaamiyyun)

� $L��� '�� Islam (al-islaamu)

>@'���� Monetary (maaliyyun)

� �����

Money (maalun)

>@'����M

Solar (shamsiyyun)

� !h���M

Sun (shamsun)

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>'%���

Lunar (qamariyyun)

� !%���

Moon (qamarun)

>@'��%�&

Literal (Harfiyyun)

� !"�%�&

Letter (Harfun)

>@'��%�+

Morphological (Sarfiyyun)

� !"�%�+

Morphology (Sarfun)

Nationality and attribution is frequently produced in this way.

>' 6$ Syrian �.�' 6$ Syria

>@'��N��'K Damascene $p�N��'K Damascus

>'%�R'� Egyptian $%�R'� Egypt

>@'8�'%���� American ��8�'%���� America

>@'���k�'%�� British ��O'���k�'%�� Britain

When the 0>' is attached to a definite word, it becomes indefinite and must lose its definite article.

>@'AO'+ Chinese $Q'R��� China

>@'��%' Iraqi $P��%' ��� Iraq

If the !�� � (noun) ends in a )I /5 it must be dropped before suffixing 0>' .

>@'���2�+ Companion �)����2�+ Companions

>@�8�� Meccan 7)o8�� Mecca

The relative adjective is made ��.���$� (feminine) by attaching )I /5 after 0>' .

�).O�8�� Meccan (f)

The 0>' attached to a !j���� (plural) renders it !K�%�*$� (singular).

>@'����' Men’s �����' Men

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>@'����'� />'6��'� Women’s; womanly �����'� /�5�6��'� Women

>@'��%� Arabic; Arab

(masc. sing. adj.) $E�%� �� The Arabs

(collective plural)

When 0>' is attached to a word ending in �5� 6$R���� !J'��� such as wxIA� �� , the �5� 6$R���� !J'��� changes to a # .

>'6�A� �� Relating to meaning, semantic; spiritual

(also ��$K>'#��O ) >'6�O��$K Worldy

� 6$�>'6 Mosaic(al)

When 0>' is attached to a word ending in 75�K#$=������� '�O'���.3�� $J'��� such as 1���%�2�+ , the � changes to a # .

>'#��%�2�+ Relating to the desert, desert (adj.)

P15 ���2 ��3�� (pronouns)

A !�'��/ (Dameerun, pronoun) is a word that takes the place of an !�� � (noun) in the noun’s absence. In

the expression, ‘the man is big’, we may replace the !�� � (noun) ‘man’ with the !�'��/ (pronoun) ‘he’,

rendering ‘he is big’.

Arabic $%'�����/ (pronouns) have a singular !K�%�*$� (singular), wxyA�z$� (dual) and !j���� (plural) form. $%'�����/

(pronouns) are all intrinsically �)��'%� �� (definite) because they always take the place of a �)��'%� �� (definite)

noun. If I were to say to you, ‘He came’, it would make no sense for me to say this unless you know

who I am talking about. If you know who I am talking about, then ‘He’ is �)��'%� �� (definite).

English has different sets of pronouns for different purposes. Consider the expression, ‘He is a student

so do not take his book from him’. There are three pronouns we can use to refer to him: ‘He’, ‘his’ and

‘him’. The same is true for the other persons. For example, in the first person we have: ‘I am a student

so do not take my book from me’. We will consider why we have different sets of pronouns later. For

the moment, we will learn the Arabic equivalents for these.

P15.1 4-�5�!�0���" ���2 �6 (detached pronouns)

The pronouns ‘He’, ‘She’, ‘They’, ‘You’ ‘I’ and ‘We’ are rendered into Arabic using what we call

�)��'R�*�A$� $%'�����/ (detached pronouns).

The third person masculine pronouns are,

��$] (they pl.) ���$] (they two) �6$] (he/it)

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The third person feminine pronouns are

.<$] (they pl.) ���$] (they two) �@'] (she/it)

The second person masculine pronouns are

����$3�� (you pl.) �����$3�� (you two) ���}�� (you)

The second person feminine pronouns are

��.<$3�� (you pl.) �����$3�� (you two) ��'}�� (you)

In the first person, the same pronouns are used for masculine and feminine

��$<�2 (we) ����� (I)

There is no !�'��/ (pronoun) in Arabic for ‘it’. �6$] and �@'] are used to mean ‘it’. When referring to a

mixed group, like French, the masculine plural ��$] is used.

You should learn these pronouns in the numbered order given. They have been tabulated for you in the

vocabulary section for ease of learning.

P15.2 4-�5�!���" ���2 �6 (attached pronouns)

The pronouns ‘His’, ‘Her’, ‘Their’, ‘Your’ ‘My’ and ‘Our’ and the pronouns ‘Him’, ‘Her’, ‘Them’,

‘You’, ‘Me’ and ‘Us’ are rendered into Arabic using what we call �)��'R.3$� $%'�����/ (attached pronouns).

The third person masculine pronouns are,

��$] (Their/Them pl.) ���$] (Their/Them two) $TI (His/Him)

The third person feminine pronouns are

.<$] (Their/Them pl.) ���$] (Their/Them two) ��] (Her)

The second person masculine pronouns are

��7, (Your/You pl.) ���7, (Your/You two) �: (Your/You)

The second person feminine pronouns are

17,.< (Your/You pl.) ���7, (Your/You two) ': (Your/You)

In the first person, the same pronouns are used for masculine and feminine

��� (we) 0�' (I)

The pronouns $TI and ��] can also mean ‘its’ and ‘it’.

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�7�8�$0��$�� Vocabulary

These are Arabic $%'�����/�)��'R�*�A$� (detached pronouns). They are all �)��'%� �� (definite):

DRILL #1

!j����

Plural

yA�z$�wx

Dual

!K�%�*$�

Singular

(hum)

�'�9 THEY

(3) (huma)

��9 THEY (two)

(2) (huwa)

��9 HE

(1)

!%o,��$�

Masculine

(hunna)

���9 THEY

(6) (huma)

��9 THEY (two)

(5) (hiya)

:�9 SHE

(4)

��.���$� Feminine

!~'����

Third person

(antum)

���'���; YOU

(9) (antuma)

�� ����; YOU (two)

(8) (anta)

��<�; YOU

(7)

!%o,��$�

Masculine

(antunna)

�������; YOU

(12) (antuma)

�� ����; YOU (two)

(11) (anti)

���<�; YOU

(10)

��.���$� Feminine

!~�r���$� Second

person

(naHnu)

���=; WE

(14) (ana)

�� ; I

(13) !%o,��$�

�#��.���$�

Masculine and feminine

!����8�3$�

First person

All $%'�����/ (pronouns) should be learned in the numbered order given. All the verb forms introduced in

later chapters will be conjugated in this order.

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�>?

These are Arabic $%'�����/.3$� �)��'R (attached pronouns). They are all �)��'%� �� (definite):

DRILL #2

!j����

Plural

wxyA�z$� Dual

!K�%�*$�

Singular

(hum)

�'�9 THEIR / THEM

(3) (huma)

��9 THEIR / THEM

(2) (hu)

HIS / HIM

(1)

!%o,��$�

Masculine

(hunna)

���9 THEIR / THEM

(6) (huma)

��9 THEIR / THEM

(5) (haa)

9

HER

(4)

��.���$� Feminine

'����!~

Third person

(kum)

,@�'

YOUR / YOU

(9) (kuma)

,@ �

YOUR / YOU

(8) (ka)

AB

YOUR / YOU

(7)

!%o,��$�

Masculine

(kunna)

,@��

YOUR / YOU

(12) (kuma)

,@ �

YOUR / YOU

(11) (ki)

�B

YOUR / YOU

(10)

��.���$� Feminine

!~�r���$� Second

person

(naa)

; OUR / US

(14) (iy)

C��D MY /ME

(13) !%o,��$�

�#��.���$�

Masculine and

feminine

!����8�3$�

First person

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1����� 4|� (nouns) will be introduced as �%'8���5 (indefinite) unless otherwise indicated. You should take care

to pronounce the un

at the end of �5�%'8�� (indefinite) words. ��$%'����.� (pronouns) are intrinsically �)��'%� �� (definite).

$[6$�7�� (plurals) have been provided in brackets. These should be learned together with $����$K�%�* (the

singular).

Synonyms are separated by commas and alternative meanings are separated by semi colons. Non-

essential words at this stage are shaded in grey.

�S1 Allah (def. prop. noun) Allah

!=.��2$�).��2$���#$=( Muhammad (def. prop. noun) muHammadun (muHammaduuna)

�(� '�)���� ����( 1. verb (gram.);

2. action fi⊂lun (af⊂aalun)

!�� �)������ ��( 1. noun (gram.);

2. name ismun (asmaa’un)

!"�%�& ) � !"$%�&��!"#$%$&( 1. letter (gram.);

2. edge Harfun (aHrufun , Huruufun)

!E��3',)!~$37,( book; message kitaabun (kutubun)

!}�O�� )!-6$O$�( house baitun (buyuutun)

�(O'���) 7�O'�����6( beautiful, handsome (masc.) jameelun (jameeluuna)

��O'��� �))�O'���!-��( beautiful, handsome (fem.) jameelatun (jameelaatun)

�)�,�%�&)!-��,�%�&( 1. vowel (gram.);

2. movement (f) Harakatun (Harakaatun)

78$ ��6 1. vowellessness (gram.);

2. stillness; silence sukuunun

>=�� Elongation maddun

$"#$%$&;=����� letters of elongation: # , � & Huruufu al-maddi

�3$�!:;%�2 Moving mutaHarrikun

!<',��

1. vowelless consonant

(gram.);

2. stillness; silence

3. inhabitant

saakinun

!E��%�'U Declension i⊂raabun

!E�% $� declinable, variable in ending mu⊂rabun

>@'A�F�� indeclinable, fixed in ending mabniyyun

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�# and (conjunction) Wa

!L��M /$L�.N�� Syria shaamun / ash-shaamu

!<���� /$<���O��� Yemen yamanun / al-yamanu

$P��%' ��� Iraq al-⊂iraaqu

$Q;R�� China aS-Seenu

!T��'U )�)��'��( God ilaahun (aalihatun)

!<���&)�����'&( handsome; beautiful (m. adj.) Hasanun (Hisaanun)

�)�A���&)!-��A���&( handsome; beautiful (f. adj.) Hasanun (Hisaanun)

!<���&)��6$A���&( Hasan (prop. noun) Hasanun (Hasanuuna)

$<���2���)��6$A���2���( al-Hasan (prop. noun) al-Hasanun (al-Hasanuuna)

�)�*'+)!-��*'+( 1. adjective (gram.);

2. attribute, quality (f) Sifatun (Sifaatun)

!<�'6�A�B Nunation tanweenun

!J�'%� �B Definition ta⊂reefun

�5�%'8�� indefinite (gram.) nakiratun

�)��'%� ��)$"' �� ��( 1. definite (gram.);

2. knowledge (f) Ma⊂rifatun (ma⊂aarifu)

�5��K��)�#�K��!-�( 1. particle (gram.);

2. tool (f) adaatun (adawaatun)

'J�'%� .3�� 75��K�� definite article (lit. tool of definition)

adaatu at-ta⊂reefi

!%��� )��! ����( moon; satellite qamarun (aqmaarun)

!h���M)!b6$�$M( sun (f) shamsun (shumuusun)

7).�'%������� $"#$%$2��� the moon letters al-Huruufu al-qamariyyatu

7).O'���.N�� $"#$%$2��� the sun letters al-Huruufu ash-shamsiyyatu

!j�k� Cutting qat⊂un

�(�+�# Connection waSlun

�5�i���] letter sounding glottal stop hamzatun

�]'j�k����� 75�i�� disjunctive hamza (lit. the hamza of cutting)

hamzatu al-qat⊂i

'(�+�6��� 75�i���] Conjunctive hamza (lit. the hamza of connection)

hamzatu al-waSli

�����'3��� Meeting iltiqaa’un

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�O�A',�.��� 1����'3���'< the meeting of two vowelless

consonants iltiqaa’u as-saakinayni

!~' ��A$� appropriate (m) munaasibun

�)�F' ��A$� appropriate (f) munaasibatun

�)�F' ��A$� �)�,�%�& liaison vowel (lit. appropriate vowel)

Harakatun munaasibatun

7)o8�� Makkah makkatu

$p�N��'K Damascus dimashqu

1���%�2�+)!-��#��%�2�+ �q� ��2�+( desert SaHraa’u

(SaHaaraa, SaHraawaatun)

!���'=�)x����=7 � 1�����=7* ( ancient (m) qadeemun (qudamaa’u, qudaamaa)

��'=� �)��)!-�����'=�( ancient (f) qadeematun (qadeemaatun)

![6$A����)��6$6$A����( forbidden (m) mamnuu⊂un (mamnuu⊂uuna)

�)�6$A����)!-��6$A����( forbidden (f) mamnuu⊂atun (mamnuu⊂aatun)

!"�%�+ 1. morphology (gram.)

2. changing

3. spending (money, time etc.)

Sarfun

'"%.R�� �<'� ![6$A���� Diptote (lit. forbidden from change) mamnuu⊂un mina aS-Sarfi

t(�3� $� Weak mu⊂tallun

�)o�' Weakness ⊂illatun

')o�' ��� $"#$%$& Letters of weakness Huruufu al- ⊂illati

! 6$R���� Short maqSuurun

���� !J'����5� 6$R Short alif alifun maqSuuratun

!K#$=���� Stretched mamduudun

�5�K#$=���� !J'��� Stretched alif alifun mamduudatun

!sO'2�+)!Y��2'+( sound; correct (m) SaHeeHun (SiHaaHun)

�)�2O'2�+)!-��2O'2�+( sound; correct (f) SaHeeHatun (SaHeeHaatun)

!�� �!sO'2�+ sound noun ismun SaHeeHun

t(�3� $� !�� � weak noun ismun mu⊂tallun

! u�� �B impossibility ta⊂adthdthurun

�(O'��v)�����'v( heavy (m) thaqeelun (thiqaalun)

�)��O'��v)!-��O'��v( heavy (f) thaqeelatun (thaqeelaatun)

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�(��'v heaviness thiqalun

wxIA� ��)D��� ��( meaning ma⊂nan (ma⊂aanin)

( def. wxyA�z$�) !-��O.A�z$�) (x.A�z$���� dual (gram.) muthannan (muthannayaatun)

(al-muthannaa)

H�R�)>@'R'( staff, stick ⊂aSan (⊂iSiyyun)

!d67��A�� reduced (gram.) manquuSun

D[��K)�5��$K � ��6$��K( caller daa⊂in (daa⊂uuna , du⊂aatun )

DK��#)������K'# � �)��'K�#��( valley waadin (awdiyatun , widyaanun)

!e� ��)��6$/� �� � De�� ��( earth arDun (araaDin, araDuuna)

'+ �)��O)���O'+( (word) form Seeghatun (Siyaghun)

�)����3',)',!-�����3( writing kitaabatun (kitaabaatun)

!L���, speech kalaamun

�)��'��,)!-���'��, � !�'��,( word (fem.) kalimatun (kalimun , kalimaatun)

!L'a�� !"�%�& root letter (lit. necessary letter) Harfun laazimun

!='���a !"�%�& non-root extra letter Harfun zaa’idun

�iO'����{@'��%.R�� 7�� the morphological template

(lit. scale) al-meezaanu aS-Sarfiyyu

'('��*��� $�� '� Active Participle ismu al-fa⊂aili

!~'B��,)!E�.37,( author, writer kaatibun (kuttaabun)

!�']���)��6$�']���( one who understands faahimun (faahimuuna)

'�'�6$ �*����� $�� Passive participle ismu al-maf⊂uuli

!~$3�8��)!-���6$3�8��( written maktuubun (maktuubaatun)

!L6$��*��)!-���6$��*��( understood mafhuumun (mafhuumaatun)

')�F��;A�� 1���� the yaa of relating yaa’u an-nisbati

$L��� '�� Islam al-islaamu

>@'���� 'U Islamic islaamiyyun

�����)����6����( wealth; money maalun (amwaalun)

>@'���� monetary maaliyyun

>@'����M solar shamsiyyun

>'%��� lunar qamariyyun

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>@'��%�& literal Harfiyyun

>@'��%�+ morphological Sarfiyyun

�.�' 6$ Syria suuriyyaa

>' 6$ Syrian suuriyyun

>@'��N��'K Damascene dimashqiyyun

$%�R'� Egypt miSru

>'%�R'� Egyptian miSriyyun

��8�'%���� America amreekaa

>@'8�'%���� Amercan amreekiyyun

��O'���k�'%�� Britain bareeTaaniyaa

>@'���k�'%�� British bareeTaaniyyun

$Q'R��� China aS-Seenu

>@'AO'+ Chinese Seeniyyun

$P��%' ��� Iraq al-⊂iraaqu

>@'��%' Iraqi ⊂iraaqiyyun

�)����2�+ companions SaHaabatun

>@'���2�+ companion SaHaabiyyun

7)o8�� Makkah makkatu

>@�8�� makkan makkiyyun

�($��)�����'( man rajulun (rijaalun)

>@'����' men’s rijaaliyyun

�����'� /�5�6��'� women nisaa’un / niswatun

>@'����'� />'6��'� women’s nisaa’iyyun / niswiyyun

$E�%� �� the Arabs al-⊂arabu

>@'��%� arab (adj.); arabic ⊂arabiyyun

>'6�A� �� moral; spiritual ma⊂nawiyyun

(also >'#��O��$K) >'6�O��$K worldly dunyawiyyun (dunyaawiyyun)

>'6� 6$� mosaic muusawiyyun

>'#��%�2�+ desert (adj.) SaHraawiyyun

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�������� �� �� Chapter 1

Phrases

The ‘Preliminaries’ chapter introduced to us some key principles relating to Arabic words. In this

chapter, we are going to learn how to produce phrases (not sentences yet I’m afraid). We will focus on

five basic structures:

1. ������������ (The Quasi sentence) (shibhu jumlatin)

2. ��������� (Possession) (al-iDaafatu)

3. ���������� (Demonstration) (al-ishaaratu)

4. ��������� (Description) (al-waSfu)

1.1 ������� �� �� (The Quasi Sentence)

A ������ ����� (quasi sentence, shibhu jumlatin) is produced when a ������ ���� (Harfu jarrin) or preposition comes

together with a � !�" (noun) or a #���� (pronoun). A preposition in Arabic is also sometimes called a $����

(jaarrun) and the quasi sentence is also referred to as $���� �%���&�'�% (jaarrun wa majruurun). A ���� ������

(preposition) is a word that tells us about the spatial relationship between two words. In the expression,

‘a word from the book’, the word ‘from’ is a ���� ������ (preposition). In English, the word following a

preposition is called its ‘object’. In Arabic we call it �%���&�' !�"� .

The following are a few ���� ��%���� (prepositions) in Arabic.

�(�' From )��* To )�+ On; Upon ,�� In; About

- In Arabic a ���� ������ (preposition) makes its �%���&�' !�"� (object) end in .����/0 .

�(�' �1��2�0 From a book (min kitaabin)

�(�'��� �1��2�3 From the book (min al-kitaabi)

(Note the liaison vowel on �'�( (cf. P6))

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We use �����4���.��562�' (attached pronouns), not �57�8�' ���4����� .� (detached pronouns) (cf. P13), as objects

of %�������� �� (prepositions).

���8�' From it

� �1��2�3��� �(�' From the book

(Note that we say ���8�' not ‘���9 �(�'’)

��:�;�� On/in it

� �<��=>� ,�� On/in the Earth

1.1.1 A ������ ����� (quasi sentence) consisting of a ������ ���� (preposition) and its object must be ‘attached’ to

another word in order to establish the spatial relationship between the object of the ������ ����

(preposition) and that word. For example, in the expression ‘a word from the book’, the ������ ����� (quasi

sentence) ‘from the book’ is attached to ‘a word’. In Arabic we call attachment ?@�A�B (ta⊂allaqun); we say

that the ������ ����� (quasi sentence) is C�A�2�' ? (muta⊂alliqun) or ‘attached’.

�(�' .����0 �2�0�1� A word from a book (kalimatun min kitaabin)

�(�' .����0 �1��2�3��� A word from the book (kalimatun min al-kitaabi)

�(�' �����3��� �1��2�3��� The word from the book (al-kalimatu min al-kitaabi)

,�� ���DE� �1��2�3��� The sign in the book (al-aayatu fi al-kitaabi)

�<��=>� ,�� ����;�F��� Life on the earth (al-Hayaatu fi al-arDi)

(‘on the earth’ is expressed as �<��=>� ,�� not )�+�<��=>� )

�G�68�� )��* 1��2�0 A message to Mankind (kitaabun ila an-naasi)

H;�A�I% �<��=>� �(�' JD��K�(�+ �L���6/�� Close to the earth and far from the sky (qareebun min al-arDi wa ba⊂eedun ⊂ani as-samaa’i)

(Note the liaison vowel on �+�( )

�8�' JD��K�� H;�A�I�% �8�+ ��: Close to it/him and far from it/her (qareebun minhu wa ba⊂eedun ⊂anhaa)

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Phonetics

The following phonetic changes occur to some %�������� �� (prepositions) when their

object is a ��.M�562�' #�� (attached pronoun).

• When attached to a ��.M�562�' #�� (attached pronoun) the preposition )��* changes to N�;��* and )�+ changes to N�;�+

�OP6/���3�;�+�! Peace be upon you (The traditional Muslims greeting)

��8�;��* To us

• When N�� , ����9 , �!�9 or 6(�9 are preceded by .����/0 or �Q , the .�6��� becomes .����/0 .

��;�� In him/it

�;��*����: To them (two)

�+�!�:�; On them (two)

6(�:;�� In them (f)

• The attached pronoun R�Q for the first person singular behaves in the following

anomalous ways:

(a) When preceded by a long vowel (�% , �Q or �� ), R�Q changes to �Q .

6,��* To me � N�;��* + �Q � N�;��* +R�Q

6,�+ On me � N�;�+ + �Q � N�;�+ + R�Q

6,�� In me � �,�� + �Q � )�,�� + R�Q

(b) When attached to the prepositions �(�' and �(�+ a U is interpolated and we have

two alternative spellings.

,V8�' / ,�8�8�' From me ,V8�+ /�8�8�+, From/about me

• When the pronoun ��X (us/our) is attached to �(�' or �(�+ , the two nuns are assimilated:

�68�' (From us)

� �(�' +��X

�68�+

(From/about us) � �+ �( +��X

i

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������������ Vocabulary

������ ������ / �%���&�'�% $���� Quasi sentence shibhu jumlatin / jaarrun wa majruurun

���� ������ /$���� preposition Harfu jarrin / jaarrun

,�� in; among; (preposition) fii

,���<��=>� on the earth fi al-arDi

)�+ on (prep.) ⊂alaa

)�+�<��=>� on the ground ⊂ala al-arDi

)��* to (prep.) ilaa

�(�' from; of (prep.) min

�(�+ from; about (prep.) ⊂an

)62�� until (prep.) Hattaa

.����0) Y����0 Z !�0( word kalimatun (kalimun, kalimaatun)

.��D\) Q\ Z Y��D\( sign aayatun (aayaatun, aayun)

.���;��) Y����;��( life (f) Hayaatun

G��X People, Mankind naasun

JD��K)]L��I���K( relative (m) qareebun (aqribaa’u)

JD��K)U���D��K) (�(�'( close (to) (m) qareebun (qareebuuna) (min)

.���D��K) Y���D��K) (�(�'( close (to); relative (f) qareebatun (qareebaatun) (min)

�JD��K�(�/�� Hasan’s relative qareebu Hasanin

�(�/�� �(�' JD��K close to Hasan qareebun min Hasanin

H�;�A�I ) _��A�I() �(�+( far (from) (m) ba⊂eedun (bi⊂aadun) (⊂an)

�H�;�A�I.� )�H�;�A�I Y�() �(�+( far (from) (f) ba⊂eedatun (ba⊂eedaatun) (⊂an)

L����")�" Y��%���( sky samaa’un (samaawaatun)

OP�" peace salaamun

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Exercise 1.1.2

Express in Arabic

1. From the sun

2. Life in Iraq

3. On an edge

4. Until the meeting

5. Forbidden from change

6. A movement in the skies/heavens

7. Appropriate in writing

8. A word to Mankind

9. Close to me and far from you

10. A house in the valley

Exercise 1.1.1

Express in English

a .�cV5�� )��* ٢ .�d��6e�� ,�� ٣ .�O�6e�� �(�' ٤ .�!�3�;�+ OP�" ٥ .��8�;�+ �OP6/�� ٦ .6,�+ �OP6/���% ٧ . ,V8�' .����0 ٨ .,V8�+ H;�A�I�% �f�8�' JD��K ٩ .�<��=>� ,�� OP�" ١٠ .�G�68�� )��* �g� �(�' .��D\

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�������� �� �� Chapter 1

Phrases

1.2 ���������� (Possession)

Expressions such as ‘the student’s book’ and ‘his book’ involve possession. We render such

expressions into Arabic using something called an ��������� construction. ��������� literally means

‘attribution’. The ��������� construction is made up of two parts: ���� � (muDaafun, ‘possessed noun’ or

‘attributed’) and �������� ���� � (muDaafun

ilayhi, ‘possessor’ or ‘attributed to (it)’).

1.2.1 ���������������������� (the definite possessive construction)

In Arabic, the ���� � (possessed noun) always comes before the ���� ��������� (possessor), so that the

actual word order would be for example, ‘the book of the student’, rather than ‘the student’s book’,

though both translations are acceptable.

� The ���� � (possessed noun) always makes the �������� ���� � (possessor) end in �������� .

��������� ������ The book of the student or

The student’s book

(kitaabu aT-Taalibi)

�������� ���� � �� ���

Possessor Possessed noun

We said in the ‘Preliminaries’ chapter that ������ does not exist. As you can see, that is not entirely true.

Possession by a definite entity is one of the ‘determiners’ that makes a noun definite. When we say,

‘the student’s book’, we are not referring to a book or any book; we are referring to the particular book

that belongs to ‘the student’. In English we do not feel the need to repeat the definite article on the

word ‘book’ and say ‘the student’s the book’. The simple fact that ‘book’ is possessed by ‘the student’

makes ‘book’ itself definite. It does not need its own definite article.

� In the same way, in Arabic, we never put the definite article � �� on a ���� � (possessed noun). The

���� � being definite, also never has !"�#�$�% .

In short, we only put the definite article � �� on the ���� � �������� (possessor), which makes the whole ���������

construction �������&�� (definite) – ‘the book of the student’.

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Here are a few very common expressions in Arabic that are definite ��������� constructions.

�'� ������ Allah’s book / The book of Allah (kitaabu Allahi)

�'� (���) Allah’s house / The house of Allah (baitu Allahi)

�'� *�+�, Allah’s slave / The slave of Allah (⊂abdu Allahi)

�'� -.��/�0�1 Allah’s names / The names of Allah (asmaa’u Allahi)

�'� 2��3�4 Allah’s attributes / The attributes of Allah (Sifaatu Allahi)

(a) The �������� ���� � (possessor) may be a �5�67� � ����/� (attached pronoun), not a �5�6�3�$ � ����/� (detached

pronoun). The ending of the ����/� (pronoun) however does not change because ��8��/� (pronouns) are

9:�$�+�� (indeclinable).

)����� � His book

� ������ ��������� The student’s book

(Note: we do not say �# ; ������ )

%��$�) <�= Their daughters

� �>��?@��� 2��$�) The men’s daughters

A�B�C�1 ;7! Their sons

� �.���@$�� A�B�C�1 The women’s sons

�D ��3�4 Your attribute

�:�����) My house

��$E�F1 Our mother

Phonetics

The following phonetic changes occur to some ��5�67��� ��8��/ (attached

pronouns) when they are attached to G.��/�0�1 (nouns).

i

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• When � � , ��/ ; , �= ; or 7! ; are preceded by �������� or �H , the ��7/�

becomes �������� .

���)����� :�� � )����� �

�$�)� �!���<��/ � $�)� <��/

@�F1 I�����<�= � E�F1 <�=

���J�� I�K�,�<7! � ��J�� <7!

• When preceded by a long vowel (�C , �H or � ), L�H changes to �H .

����M A�H My world

��6�,�H My stick

� (b) There is no fixed ending for the ���� � (possessed noun). In the examples above, it ends in ��7/�

which is the default ending. It may also end in �������� or ���N���� , depending on what comes before it.

:������ ������������ In the book of the student / In the student’s book (fii kitaabi aT-Taalibi)

���/�K�� :����������� ������� A word in the book of the student / A word in the student’s book (kalimatun fii kitaabi aT-Taalibi)

We will introduce ���N���� endings in chapters two and three.

(c) When one ���� � �������� possesses a number of items, rather than saying,

��������� =�K�O�C ������ �

We say,

� /�K�O�C �������� ������ The book and pen of the student (lit. the book of the student and his pen)

�0�1 � %��3�4�C �'� -.��/ The names and attributes of Allah (lit. the names of Allah and His attributes)

Effectively, we have two �������� constructions; the second is conjucted to the first with �C .

(d) Note that the �������� ���� � (possessor) may be �������&�� (definite) but have !"�#�$�% if it is a proper noun. This

is still a definite ��������� construction.

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P�J��Q*7/�N � Muhammad’s speech / The speech of Muhammad (kalaamu Muhammadin)

Q!���R �(���) :�� In Hasan’s house / In the house of Hasan

(fii bayti Hasanin)

Q!���R �(���) �!�� �����S �� The book from Hasan’s house / The book from the house of Hasan (al-kitaabu min bayti Hasanin)

1.2.2 ������������������� (the indefinite possessive construction)

You have probably guessed that if the whole ��������� is made �������&�� (definite) by a definite �������� ���� �

(possessor), then simply making the �������� ���� � (possessor) �����S�M (indefinite) should render the whole

construction �����S�M (indefinite).

Q�����T ������ A book of a student, or

A student’s book, or

The book of a student (kitaabu Taalibin)

Q�����T ������� :�� In a book of a student, or

In a student’s book, or

In the book of a student (fi kitaabi Taalibin)

In English we say, ‘a student’s book’. We don’t feel the need to repeat the indefinite article on the word

‘book’ and say ‘a student’s a book’ because ‘book’ is made indefinite by ‘a student’. In the same way,

in Arabic, we never put a !"�#�$�% on a ���� � (possessed noun). In short, we only put a !"�#�$�% on the

���� � �������� (possessor), which makes the whole ��������� construction �����S�M (indefinite) – ‘a book of a

student’.

You can see above that we have translated the expression Q�����T ������ in three different ways. In

meaning, all of these expressions are �����S�M (indefinite), even though English uses a definite article in the

third. This is because the �������� ���� � (possessor) ‘a student’ is �����S�M (indefinite). Similarly, Arabic would

consider the expressions, ‘the middle of a desert’ and ‘the daughter of a king’ to be completely �����S�M (indefinite) and would translate them using an indefinite ��������� construction.

The ��������� construction cannot be used to express ‘a book of the student’, for which we will introduce

an alternative structure.

(a) The indefinite ��������� construction is used for certain idiomatic expressions

F��/�K�� VW�R A word of truth (kalimatu Haqqin)

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We can dispense with the ��������� construction and render this,

�!�� ���/�K�� �@W�N � A word of truth (kalimatun min al-Haqqi)

The preposition �!�� (from) is used here to mean ‘of’. Note that ���/�K�� in the above expression has !"�#�$�% . This is because we are not using an �������� construction.

1.2.3 ���������� ‘Chains’

It is possible to have a series of ���� � (possessed nouns) and �������� ���� � (possessors) forming an ‘Idafa

chain’. The definite article � �� can only be placed on the final �������� ���� � (possessor).

�X����0-Y� �(�$�) =�0� The name of the daughter of the teacher (ismu binti al-‘ustaadhi)

��������� �X����0F1 �(�$�) =�0� The name of the daughter of the teacher of the student (ismu binti ‘ustaadhi aT-Taalibi)

Q�����T �X����0F1 �(�$�) =�0� A name of a daughter of a teacher of a student (ismu binti ‘ustaadhi Taalibin)

In the second example above, we have three ���� � (possessed nouns) and three �������� ���� �

(possessors). � =�0 (a name) is the ���� � of �(�$�) (a daughter) which is its �������� ���� � and in turn also the

���� � of �X����0F1 (a teacher), which is its �������� ���� � and again in turn also the ���� � of Q�����T (a student)

which is the final �������� ���� � (possessor).

1.2.4 Superlatives

The form F5�& ��1 (af⊂

alu) is called �5��� 37��� =�0� (noun of preference). In English, it is often called the

‘elative’ form. The �5��� 37��� =�0� is used in Arabic for comparatives and superlatives. �5��� 37��� =�0� is made

�\7M�] � (feminine) using the form I�K�&F� (fu⊂

laa). The �\7M�] � (feminine) of !���R�1 (handsomer/handsomest)

for example, is I�$�� R (more/most beautiful). The �\7M�] � (feminine) of F>7C�1 (first, (assimilated from F>�C 1�1)) is I���CF1 .

The �5��� 37��� =�0� (noun of preference) for 7&�� � (doubled) roots is of the form _5���1 (afallu) for the ���� �

(masculine) and does not have a �\7M�] � (feminine) counterpart. We have E*�a�1 (severer/severest) and _5�O�1 (less/least).

The �5��� 37��� =�0� (noun of preference) for b5���& � (weak) roots is of the form I�& ��1 (af⊂aa) for the ���� �

(masculine) and ����&F� (fu⊂

yaa) for the �\7M�] � (feminine). We have I�K�,�1 (higher/highest) and its feminine

��� K , . The word ����M A (world) is actually the feminine of I�M�A�1 (lower/lowest or closer/closest).

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(a) When in an indefinite ��������� construction the �5��� 37��� =�0� (noun of preference) form �1F5�& � produces a

superlative. The masculine singular form �1F5�& � is used even for the feminine and the plural.

Q*���C !���R�1 The handsomest boy

(aHsanu waladin)

Q(�$�) !���R�1 The prettiest girl (aHsanu bintin)

Q.��/�0�1 !���R�1 The most beautiful names (aHsanu asmaa’in)

Q2��"c ��+ ��1 The greatest signs (akbaru aayaatin)

�d�efY� :�� Q(���) F>7C�1 The first house on the Earth (awwalu baytin fi al-arDi)

F>7C�1Q��/�K�� The first word (awwalu kalimatin fi al-arDi)

Q=�0� I�K�,�1 The loftiest name (a⊂laa ismin)

�d�efY��C �2��C��/7��� :�� Q5�g�� I�K�,�1 The loftiest similitude in the heavens and the earth (a⊂laa mathalin fi as-samaawaati wa al-arDi)

Q��/�K�� I�K�,�1 The loftiest word (a⊂laa kalimatin)

Q.��/�0 I�M�A�1 I���� Q.��/�0 I�K�,�1 �!�� From the highest heaven to the lowest heaven (min a⊂laa samaa’in ilaa adnaa samaa’in)

Q�����R I�M�A�1 The lowest life (adnaa Hayaatin)

The nouns ����h (better/best) and 9��a (worse/worst) are not of the F5�& ��1 form but are used in this way as

superlatives. (it is poor Arabic to say ����h�1 and E��a�1 ).

E��aQ*���C The worst boy

����hQ(�$�) The best girl

If we make the ���� � �������� indefinite and plural, we have the following,

���R�1QA�B�C�1 ! The handsomest boys (aHsanu awlaadin)

!���R�1�)��$Q2 The prettiest girls (aHsanu banaatin)

Note that although the above are indefinite ��������� constructions, they are �������&�� (definite) semantically or

in meaning. This is because, by definition, there can only be one person/thing that is most or least in

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any given quality. That person/thing is therefore identifiable and anything identifiable is necessarily

�������&�� (definite).

If we make the ���� � �������� definite and plural, we have the following

�A�B�CfY� !���R�1 The handsomest of boys, or

The handsomest of the boys (aHsanu al-awlaadi)

!���R�1�2��$�+�� The prettiest of girls , or

The prettiest of the girls (aHsanu al-banaati)

$���R�1��$ The handsomest/prettiest of us (aHsanunaa)

(b) When the �5��� 37��� =�0� (noun of preference) form �1F5�& � is followed by the preposition �!�� it becomes a

comparative. Only the masculine singular form F5�& ��1 can be used for the comparative.

Q*���C �!�� !���R�1 Handsomer than a boy (aHsanu min waladin)

!���R�1 �� �!���(�$�+ Prettier than the girl (aHsanu min bintin)

�7$�� ����h Better than us (khayrun minnaa)

9��a ��$�� Worse than him (sharrun minhu)

1.2.5 � �!

The word _5F� in an indefinite ��������� construction means ‘every’ or ‘each’

Q.�:�a _5F� Everything (kullu shay’in)

Q������ _5F� Every/each book (kullu kitaabin)

Q.����� _5F� Every/each person (kullu mri’in)

Note that although these are indefinite ��������� construction, they are �������&�� (definite) semantically or in

meaning. This is because if we refer to every member/unit of a group, we are referring to the group as

a whole, which then becomes identifiable and anything identifiable is necessarily �������&�� (definite).

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If we make the ��������� construction �������&�� (definite), _5F� means ‘whole’.

_5F�������S �� The whole book (kullu al-kitaabi)

If we make the ���� ��� ������ (possessor) definite and plural _5F� means ‘all’. When used like this, i��/�? is

synonymous to _5F� .

_5F� �FS ���� / i��/�? �FS �� �� All (of) the books (kullu al-kutubi / jamee⊂u al-kutubi)

�= <_KF� / &��/�?�= < All of them (kulluhum / jamee⊂uhum)

The above can also be expressed as follows:

�!�� b5F� �FS ���� All (of) the books (kullun min al-kutubi)

�= <�$�� b5F� All of them (kullun minhum)

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�"��#���$��� Vocabulary

��������� 1. possession (gram.);

2. addition iDaafatun

I���� k������� in addition to . . . iDaafatan ilaa

���� � Possessed muDaafun

������� ���� � Possessor muDaafun ilayhi

�����T) ��JFT ,���+�K�T( student (m) Taalibun (Tullaabun, Talabatun)

���+����T)2��+����T ( student (f) Taalibatun (Taalibaatun)

(���) )2# � )( house baitun (buyuutun)

*�+�,)���*�+�, o A�7+ , o A��+�,( servant, slave ⊂abdun

(⊂ibaadun, ⊂ubbaadun, ⊂abadatun)

�'� *�+�, 1. the servant of Allah

2. Abdullah ⊂abdu allahi

(�$�)) 2��$�)( girl; daughter bintun (banaatun)

*���C)A�B�C�1( boy; son waladun (awlaadun)

�5 ?�e )�>��?�e( man rajulun (rijaalun)

G.���� / �1����� / ���� p / G.�����* a man mar’un / imra’un / imru’un / imri’un

-.���/ �� the man al-mar’u

���1���� /���1����� )G.����M�r��#���M o ���#���M o * ( a woman; wife mar’aun / imra’atun (nisaa’un,

niswatun, niswaanun)

F��1���/ �� the woman al-mar’atu

9PF1)F12��<7�( mother ummun (ummahaatun)

=�K�O)P�J O�1( pen qalamun (aqlaamun)

P�J�� speech; statement kalaamun

9W�R)s#Ft R( truth; right; (pl) law Haqqun (Huquuqun)

VW�R F��/�K�� a word of truth kalimatu Haqqin

F1�X����0 )�1��� �%��0( professor, teacher (m) ustaadhun (asaatidhatun)

���X����0F1)2��X����0F1( professor, teacher (f) ustaadhatun (ustaadhaatun)

�5��� 37��� =�0� noun of preference ismu at-tafDeeli

* The word ����1���� (a woman/wife) is only used as �����S�M (indefinite). For ‘the woman’ we say, �F��1���/ � .

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!���R�1) !�0��R�1( handsomer/handsomest aHsanu (aHaasinu)

I�$�� R)2����$�� R( more/most beautiful Husnaau (Husnaayaatu)

u�+��) e��+��( big; old (in age) (m) kabeerun (kibaarun)

�u�+�� ��)�u�+��2�( big; old (in age) (f) kabeeratun (kabeeraatun)

��+ ��1) ��)����1( bigger/biggest (m) akbaru (akaabiru)

v���+F�)2��"���+F�( bigger/biggest (f) kubraa (kubraayaatun)

F>7C�1)F5�8��C�1( first (m) awwalu (awaa’ilu)

I���CF1)2������CF1( first (f) uulaa (uulaayaatun)

*"�*�a)A��*�a( severe (m) shadeedun (shidaadun)

���*"�*�a)2��*"�*�a( severe (f) shadeedatun (shadeedaatun)

E*�a�1 more severe ashaddu

�5��K�O)�r#FK��K�O o �5��K�O** ( few (m) qaleelun (qaleelun, qaleeluuna)

���K��K�O)2�J��K�O( few (f) qaleelatun (qaleelaatun)

_5�O�1 fewer aqallu

I�K�,�1 higher/highest (m) a⊂laa

��� K , higher/highest (f) ⊂ulyaa

I�M�A�1 lower/lowest; closer/closest (m) adnaa

����M A lower/lowest; closer/closest (f) dunyaa

�5�g��)�>��g���1( similitude mathalun (amthaalun)

����h good/better/best khayrun

9��a bad/worse/worst sharrun

b5F� all; every; everyone kullun

G.�:�a)-.����a�1( thing; something shay’un (ashyaa’u)

Q.�:�a _5F� everything kullu shay’in

i��/�? all jamee⊂un

i��/�?�w�7$�� all people jamee⊂u an-naasi

** The word �5��K�O (few) can also be used as a plural.

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Exercise 1.2.2

Express in Arabic

1. The servants of Allah on the Earth

2. The daughter of Muhammad

3. The doing of evil on your

part (lit. from you)

4. Our (male) teacher and our

(female) teacher

5. His house in the valley

6. People from Iraq and Greater Syria in

addition to Yemen

7. From Hasan’s daughter and son

8. The closest meeting

9. Heavier than the Earth

10. The first Man on Earth

11. The furthest of them from evil

12. A sign in everything

13. The best peace upon all people

Exercise 1.2.1

Express in English

x .Q*7/�N � -.��t�� ��� ٢ .�P�J�0�y� z�/�a

٣ .:@$�� Q����h F��/�K�� ٤ .�>��/ �� �!�� Q.�:�a ����4

٥ .��$�$�/�" :���C ��$����a :��

٦ .�/�K�� � ��"c�C �'� F�

٧ . V��a I�M�A�1�C Q����h I�K�,�1 ٨ .�=FS�$�� �������� ��� O�1 ٩ .�=FS�8����M I���� �=F� ����h

١٠ .�����{ �� :�� ��$F�7C�1 ١١ .�d�efY� :�� �w�7$�� _5F�

١٢ .7:���� Q�"���O ��� O�1

١٣ .�&�)�1�C �����{ �� I���� I�,�A�1@�7|�� �!�, *

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�������� �� �� Chapter 1

Phrases

1.3 ��� ������� (Demonstration)

Phrases such as ‘this student and ‘that book’ contain ��������� (demonstration). In Arabic we produce such

phrases by placing a �������� � �� (demonstrative pronoun lit. noun of demonstration) before a � �� (noun). In

English, the words ‘this’, ‘that’, ‘these’ and ‘those’ are demonstrative pronouns.

(a) ��������� ��������� (demonstration of something close)

To demonstrate something close in English we say ‘this’. The masculine singular �������� � �� (demonstrative pronoun) meaning ‘this’ in Arabic is �� (dhaa), from which variations of the feminine and

plural are derived.

Feminine Masculine

����� /������ (haadhihi) (haadhii)

This

��� /����� (haadhaa) (dhaa)

This

Singular

������� (haa’ulaa’i)

These

Plural

Note that the �� prefixes above are pronounced with an unwritten alif after them.

Morphology

• The �� prefix is actually not part of the �������� � �� (demonstrative

pronoun). It is a truncation of the particle ��� (haa) which is called ������ !"� ���#�$ (particle of alerting) and we might think of it as an interjection in English.

The actual masculine singular �������� � �� (demonstrative pronoun) is ��� .

When ��� is prefixed to ���$%&��'�������� (demonstrative pronouns) the alif of ���

is pronounced but not written rendering,

i

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�(�� � �� This (m. sing.) (dhhaa � haadhaa)

�)�(�� � �)�� This (f. sing.) (dhii � haadhii)

�*�(�� � �*�� This (f. sing.) (dhihi � haadhihi)

�&�+�,�� � �&�+�-�$ These (m. & f. pl.) (‘ulaa’i � haa’ulaa’i)

(There are in fact ten derivations for the feminine singular but the two given above are by far

the most common. (1) �)�� , (2) �.�/ , (3) �*�� , (4) ���/ , (5) �*�� with a lengthening of the �����0�1 on the

haa’, (6) ���/ with a lengthening of the �����0�1 on the haa’, (7) �*�� , (8) ���/ , (9) �2�� , (10) ��/ )

• ��� is used on its own to mean ‘ha! look!’.

�3�� ��� /�� �3�� ��� ‘look, there he is!’.

(b) �5��6���� ��������� (demonstration of something far)

To demonstrate something far in English we say ‘that’. The masculine singular �������� � �� (demonstrative

pronoun) meaning ‘that’ in Arabic is produced from �� (this) by suffixing �7 , rendering �7�� (that). This �7 is

called �8��9�:�� �;��1 (the kaf of address).

Feminine Masculine

��� �! (Tilka)

That

�"��� /������ (dhaalika) (dhaaka)

That

Singular

���#��$��% (‘ulaa’ika)

Those

Plural

The �- in �<�=���-�$ is not pronounced and an alif is pronounced but not written after the�� .

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Morphology

The feminine �������� � �� (demonstrative pronoun) is actually �<��/ produced by adding the �8��9�:�� �;��1 (the kaf of address) to �.�/ which is

one of the feminine variations of �� given in the grey box above.

It is very common with the singular to insert a >� (lam carrying sukuun)

before the �8��9�:�� �;��1 (the kaf of address), rendering,

(for �<����) �����< That (m. sing.) (dhaalika)

(for �<�?���/) �<�?�/ That (f. sing.) (tilka)

This >� is called �5�6���� �@�+ (the lam of distance) and is inserted to

demonstrate something farther away than �7�� and �<��/ . In common

parlance today, this distinction is not unfortunately given due attention

and �<���� and �<�?�/ are used loosely.

The �������� %&��'���$ (demonstrative pronouns) given above are B.� ���C (indeclinable) and do not ever change in

ending.

1.3.1 When a � �� (noun) is demonstrated, it must always be �D�E���6�C (definite). The �������� � �� (demonstrative

pronoun) is placed before the ������� ����F�C (demonstrated) noun.

�(�����G9��� This student (haadhaa aT-Taalibu)

�<���� ���8��"�H That book (dhaalika al-kitaabu)

As we know, the demonstrative pronoun is called �������� � �� . The demonstrated noun is called ������� ����F�C

(lit. ‘pointed to’).

In Arabic, we say that the ������� ����F�C (demonstrated noun) is a �I�5�J (substitute) for the �������� � �� (demonstrative pronoun). Suppose I point to a book and say, ‘I read that’. I can express the same meaning

by saying, ‘I read the book’. Effectively, I have substituted ‘the book’ for the demonstrative pronoun

i

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‘that’. When the two are combined in the expression ‘I read that book’, the ������� ����F�C (demonstrated noun)

‘book’ is the �I�5�J (substitute) of the �������� � �� (demonstrative pronoun) ‘that’. We call the �������� � �� (demonstrative pronoun) the �C �I�5���C��� (substituted-for). In English, the �I�5�J (substitute) is called ‘apposition’

or ‘the permutative’.

K The general rule is that a �I�5�J (substitute) must always agree with its �C �I�5���C��� (substituted-for) in four

respects:

1. Definition: �D�E���6�C (definite) or �����H�L (indefinite) ?

2. Gender: ��G1�(�C (masculine) or �M!L�,�C (feminine) ?

3. Word ending: �D!'�N , ���0�1�� or �D�O�"�E ?

4. Number: �#���P�C (singular), Q �R�CST (dual) or �U�'�V (plural) ?

(a) �������� %&��'���$ (demonstrative pronouns) are always �D�E���6�C (definite). This is because they involve pointing

to something and once pointed to, things are identifiable and therefore �D�E���6�C (definite). If we point to a

house and say ‘this house’ or ‘that house’, we are referring to this or that particular house, not ‘a’ house or

‘any’ house. Since the ������� ����F�C (demonstrated noun) must agree with the �������� � �� (demonstrative

pronoun) it must always be �D�E���6�C (definite).

�����G9��� / �(�����G9��� This student (dhaa aT-Taalibu / haadhaa aT-Taalibu)

(b) The ������� ����F�C (demonstrated) noun must agree with the gender of the � ���������� (demonstrative

pronoun).

�D�����G9� �<�?�/ That student (f) (tilka aT-Taalibatu)

)�(�� /�*�(�� �D�'�?�H�� This word (f) (haadhii / haadhihi al-kalimatu)

�<�?�/ �D�'�?�H�� That word (f) (tilka al-kalimatu)

(c) Since ������ %&��'���$�� (demonstrative pronouns) are B.� ���C (indeclinable), their endings never change. In

ordinary circumstances as in the examples above, the ������� ����F�C (demonstrated) noun takes the default

ending, which is �D!'�N . If the ��������� is preceded by a W��V �;���X (preposition), the �������� � �� (demonstrative

pronoun) becomes the ‘object’ of the W��V �;���X (preposition). Being B.� ���C (indeclinable), the �������� � ��

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(demonstrative pronoun) is not visibly affected. However, the effect of the W��V �;���X (preposition) passes

over to the ������� ����F�C (demonstrated) noun.

�� �(�� .�E�8��"�H In this book (fii haadhaa al-kitaabi)

�<�?�/ T�?�Y �D�'�?�H�� Upon that word (⊂alaa tilka al-kalimati)

We will introduce �D�O�"�E endings in chapters two and three.

(d) The ������� ����F�C (demonstrated) noun must agree with the number of the �������� � �� (demonstrative

pronoun).

�I��VZ�� �&�+�,�� These men (haa’ulaa’i ar-rijaalu)

� �<�=��-�$��0Z %& Those women (‘ulaa’ika an-niasaa’u)

�[�C�I��VZ�� �&�+�,�� From these men (min haa’ulaa’i ar-rijaali)

T����� �<�=��-�$��0Z �& To those women (ilaa ‘ulaa’ika an-niasaa’i)

1.3.2 &�������' (Demonstration) in the ��'&(�)��* construction

%&��'���$�������� (Demonstrative pronouns) can only be used to demonstrate the �;��\�C (possessed noun) and

�������� �;��\�C (possessor) in a definite ����D�E��N construction. This is because, as we know, the ������� ����F�C

(demonstrated noun) must always be �D�E���6�C (definite).

(a) Demonstrating a ������� �;��\�C (possessor)

This is the only instance when the ‘integrity’ of the �D�P�N�� construction is ‘broken’. A �������� � �� (demonstrative pronoun) may be placed before the last, and only the last ������� �;��\�C (possessor).

�8��"�1 �����G9� �(�� The book of this student / This student’s book (kitaabu haadhaa aT-Taalibi)

.�E�8��"�1 �(�������G9� In the book of this student / In this student’s book (fii kitaabi haadhaa aT-Taalibi)

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�]� ���� �*�(�� � �� The name of this girl / This girl’s name (ismu haadhihi al-binti)

%&��'���$���8G _9� �&�+�, The names of these students / These students’ names (asmaa’u haa’ulaa’i aT-Tullaabi)

(b) Demonstrating a �;��\�C (possessed noun)

To demonstrate the �;��\�C (possessed noun), we place the �������� � �� (demonstrative pronoun) after the

����D�E��N construction.

�8��"�1 �(�� �����G9� This book of the student (kitaabu aT-Taalibi haadhaa)

�J��"�1���(�� This book of his (kitaabuhu haadhaa)

.�E�8��"�1 �(�� �����G9� In this book of the student (fii kitaabi aT-Taalibi haadhaa)

.�E�J��"�1�� �<���� In that book of his (fii kitaabihi dhaalika)

�(�� �]� ���� � �� This name of the girl (ismu al-binti haadhaa)

�*�(�� [�0�X Z@�$ �]� �J This daughter of Hasan’s mother (bintu ‘ummi Hasanin haadhihi)

�<�?�/ ��a�"� �J That daughter of hers (bintuhaa tilka)

�&�+�,�� �I��VZ�� �2�� �J These daughters of the men (banaatu ar-rijaali haa’ulaa’i)

���-�$ � �a�/�� �J�<�= Those daughters of theirs (banaatuhum ‘ulaa’ika)

�"�P�b�<�?�/ �< That attribute of yours (Sifatuka tilka)

�(�� �.�"���J This house of mine (baytii haadhaa)

�*�(�� �� cC�$ This mother of ours (‘ummunaa haadhihi)

If there is more than one �;��\�C (possessed noun), there is an ambiguity.

� ���8��"�1G9� ������(�� This name of the book of the student or

The name of this book of the student (ismu kitaabi aT-Taalibi haadhaa)

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�+��,�-�./�� Vocabulary

��������� Demonstration ishaaratun

�������� � �� demonstrative pronoun ismu al-ishaarati

�F�C������� ��� demonstrated noun mushaarun ilayhi

�I�5�J substitute badalun

Exercise 1.3.2

Express in Arabic

1. On this edge

2. Until that meeting

3. Until this meeting of ours

4. That movement in the skies

5. The movement in these skies

6. Appropriate in this writing

7. A word to all these people

8. This word to all people

9. This meeting of Muhammad

10. This book of Allah and those signs of His

Exercise 1.3.1

Express in English

d .�8��"�H�� �<���� ٢ .�e�'!F� �*�(�� �[�C ٣ .�?�H�� �*�(��.Z �C �D�' ٤ .�f���g �*�(�� .�E �@� �� ٥ .�f���g .�E �@� !0� �(�� ٦ .)�#�3�� �(�� .�E �]���J

٧ .)�#�3�� .�E �(�� ���"���J ٨ .�h�! � T���� �*�(�� �i �D��j ٩ .�*�(�� 5!'�O�C �]� �J ١٠ . .�E �h�! � �&�+�,�� �I!-�$�����:��

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�������� �� �� Chapter 1

Phrases

1.4 �������� (Description)

������ (description) in Arabic involves a ����������� (described noun), often simply called ������� and a

���������� (adjective), often simply called a ������ . In the expression ‘the Arabic book’, the word ‘Book’ is the

������� (described noun) and ‘Arabic’ is the ������ (adjective).

� 1.4.1 There are two principles we need to remember about the Arabic ������ (adjective):

1. The ������ (adjective) always goes after the ������� (described noun).

2. The ������ (adjective) always ‘agrees’ with the ������� (described noun) in four respects:

definition, gender, ending and number.

(a) If the ������� (described noun) is �������� (indefinite), the ������ (adjective) must also be �������� (indefinite).

�������� ���� �! An Arabic book (kitaabun ⊂arabiyyun)

If the ������� (described noun) is ���"���#� (definite), the ������ (adjective) must also be ���"���#� (definite).

$������#%& ���� ��%& The Arabic book (al-kitaabu al-⊂arabiyyun)

�'�($������#%& ���� ��%& This Arabic book (haadthaa al-kitaabu al- ⊂arabiyyu)

(b) The gender of the ������ (adjective) must agree with the gender of the ������� (described noun).

��)*������ ���+�,�! An Arabic word (kalimatun ⊂arabiyyatun)

�-�'�(.�)*�����#%& .��+�,��%& This Arabic word (haadhihi al-kalimatu al-⊂arabiyyatu)

(c) The ������ (adjective) must agree with the ������� (described noun) in ending. Agreement in ��)+�/ ending

has been shown above.

��" ���� �!0������� In an Arabic book (fii kitaabin ⊂arabiyyin)

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��"�'�( %& %& ���� ��1������# In this Arabic book (fii haadtha al-kitaabi al-⊂arabiyyi)

�-�'�( �2� %& %& ���+�,����)*�����# From this Arabic word (min haadthihi al-kalimati al-⊂arabiyyati)

The ���3� �" ending will be introduced in chapters two and three.

(d) If the ������� (described noun) is a �4�+�5 (plural), the ������ (adjective) must also be a �4�+�5 (plural):

�6��5�7�8��9�: Handsome Men (rijaalun Hisaanun)

;<��9���=�>*�+�5 Beautiful women (nisaa’un jameelaatun)

�6��51�& �<�?�@�( �2� �8��9�3%& From these handsome Men (min haa’ulaa’i ar-rijaali al-Hisaani)

�<��91A& �B�C�&�.D E�&�F �=�>*�+�G%& To those beautiful women (ilaa ‘ulaa’ika an-nisaa’i al-jameelaati)

(e) Arabic divides plurals into two types. Plurals of things that are �H�I��� (rational), which includes human

beings, jinn and angels and plurals of things that are �H�I��� ���*�J (irrational), which includes dumb creatures

and inanimate objects.

� Plurals of adjectives, as shown above, are only ever used to describe things that are �H�I��� (rational). We

cannot say �� �=��*�7��K�! for ‘big houses’ or �=�LM�L�5 �=��+�,�! for ‘new words’.

� Plurals of things that are �H�I��� ���*�J (irrational) are treated as grammatically )��@� �N��%�� �O (feminine singular).

���7��P�Q R<��+���D (Demonstrative pronouns) and �=����� (adjectives) referring to �H�I��� ���*�J (irrational) plurals are

therefore actually �N��%�� �O)��@� (feminine singular).

���+�M�L�I �S� .! Ancient books (kutubun qadeematun)

.��+�M�L�T%& �S� .�%& �-�'�( These ancient books (haadthihi al-kutubu al-qadeematu)

�=��+�,��%& �B%,�U �2� %& ���,*�+�G From those new words (min tilka al-kalimaati al-jameelati)

In poetry we often find �H�I��� ���*�J (not intelligent) plurals treated as feminine plural – a personification of

sorts.

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�=�>*�+�5 �=��+�,�! Beautiful words (kalimaatun jameelaatun)

We recommend at this stage that you do not attempt such poetry �V�*�K%& ��" (at home).

(f) The superlative form .H�#%"D can also be used as a ������ in which case, it does not remain masculine singular

as it did in the ��."��/�F construction and must agree with the ������� (described noun) in all four respects.

The superlative remains

masculine and singular in

the �/�F.��"� construction (cf. 1.3.4)

�L�&�� �2�9�:�D �2�9�:WX �L�&��%& The handsomest boy (al-waladu al-aHsanu)

�V�A�� �2�9�:�D E�A�9�3%& �V�A�K%& The prettiest girl (al-bintu al-Husnaa)

�<��+���D �2�9�:�D E�A�9�3%& R<��+��WX The most beautiful names (al-asmaa’u al-Husnaa)

�=��MY ���K%!�D Z[���K.�%& �=��M The greatest signs (al-aayaatu al-kubraa)

�V�*�� .6)��D �\�7WX ��" .6)�WX �V�*�K%& The first house (al-baytu al-awwalu fi al-arDi)

.6)��D���+�,�! .��+�,��%&E�&��RX The first word (al-kalimatu al-‘uulaa)

���� E�,���D E�,��WX �����? The loftiest name (al-ismu al-a⊂laa)

�H�]� E�,���D E�,��WX .H�]�+%&

�\�7WX�� �=����+)9& ��" The loftiest similitude in the

heavens and the earth (al-mathalu al-a⊂laa fi as-samaawaati

wa al-arDi)

���+�,�! E�,���D ��*%,�#%& .��+�,��%& The loftiest word (al-kalimatu al-⊂ulyaa)

�<��+�� E���N�D �<��+�� E�,���D

��*%,�#& �<��+)9& �2� �<��+)9& E�&�F��*��$L&

From the highest heaven to the

lowest heaven (min as-samaa’i al-⊂ulyaa ilaa as-

samaa’ i ad-dunyaa)

����*�: E���N�D ��*��$L& .���*�3%& The temporal (lit. lowest) life (al-Hayaatu ad-dunyaa)

�N�?���D �2�9�:�D �2����:WX �N�?��WX The handsomest boys (al-awlaadu al-aHaasinu)

�2�9�:�D����A�= %&�K��A�=�=��M��A�9�3%& The prettiest girls (al-banaatu al-Husnaayaatu)

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Note that all the expressions above are ���"���#� (definite). This is because superlatives are intrinsically

definite. It makes no sense for example to say ‘a handsomest boy’ so we cannot say ‘�2�9�:�D �L�&�� ’ .

1.4.2 We may have a number of �=����� (adjectives) describing one ���� (noun). All �=����� (adjectives) must agree

with the ���� (noun) in the four respects mentioned above. Generally, multiple �=����� (adjectives) need not

come in any particular order.

���M�L�I ���� �! � �_���H*�+�5 A beautiful small ancient book (kitaabun qadeemun Sagheerun jameelun)

� �_) & ���M�L�T%& ���� ��%& %&.H*�+�G The beautiful small ancient book (al-kitaabu al-qadeemu aS-Sagheeru al-jameelu)

�9�: ��LM�L�5 ���+�,�!���A A good new word (kalimatun jadeedatun Hasanatun)

�B�C�&�.D.6��51�& �8�.,*�+�G%& .6��ab& Those tall handsome men (‘ulaa’ika ar-rijaalu al-jameeluuna aT-Tiwaalu)

�=�>*�+�5 ;<��9���=�>M���c Beautiful tall women (nisaa’un jameelaatun Taweelaatun)

� .�%& �-�'�( ��"�S %&�LM�L�G��� �K��%& �� In these big new books (fii haadthihi al-kutubi al-jadeedati al-kabeerati)

.6��%cWX �2�9�:WX �L�&��%& The handsomest tallest boy (al-waladu al-aHsanu al-aTwalu)

1.4.3 �=����� (Adjectives) describing proper names must be ���"���#� (definite). This is often how epithets are given.

�L)+�3� �d� WX Muhammad the Trustworthy

(lit. The trustworthy Muhammad) (muHammadun al-‘ameenu)

[���K.�%& .��G�M�L�e Khadeeja the great

(lit. The great Khadija) (khadeejatu al-kubraa)

1.4.4 Negativising ������� (adjectives)

In English we negativise adjectives by placing the word ‘not’ before them. We negativise the word ‘far’ by

saying ‘not far’. In Arabic, we negativise a ������ (adjective) by placing the word ���*�J (not) before it in an

���"��/�F construction. The negated ������ (adjective) agrees with the ������� (described noun) in gender,

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number, definition but not ending since as ���f� �F�g�*�& (possessor) it ends in �����9�! . The ending agreement

happens on ���*�J which does not otherwise change.

�8���� �L*�#�� A far place (makaanun ba⊂eedun)

�8���� �L*�#�� ���*�J A not far place (makaanun ghayru ba⊂eedun)

Other three Word ending

agreements here agreement here

�L*�#�� ���*�J �8���� ��" In a not far place (fii makaanin ghayri ba⊂eedun)

�L*�#�K%& ���*�J .8����+%& The not far place (al-makaanu ghayru al-ba⊂eedi)

���A��� �D���*�J ���L*�#�� Not far places (amkinatun ghayru ba⊂eedatin)

���(�6��5�7 ���*�J �N��#�� They are men not far (hum rijaalun ghayru bi⊂aadin)

���*�J means ‘other than’ when the negativised ���f� �F�g�*�& (possessor) is a ���� (noun) or � �+�/ (pronoun).

���� �! ���*�J)�L�:��( Other than (one) book (ghayru kitaabin waaHidin)

�j ���*�J �2� From other than Allah (min ghayri allahi)

�-���*�J Other than him (ghayruhu)

�k���*�J E�&�F To other than you (ilaa ghayrika)

1.4.5 ������� (Adjectives) in the ���������� construction

Describing the �g�*�&�F ���f� (possessor) is quite straight forward. We simply place the ������ (adjective) after it.

�S�&�lb& ���� �!%& �LM�L�G The book of the new student / The new student’s book (kitaabu aT-Taalibi al-jadeedi)

We know that %&�LM�L�G is describing �S�&�lb& here because it agrees with it in all four respects; it agrees with

���� �! in definition, gender and number but not ending..

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Describing the ���f� (possessed noun) poses a problem for us. Can we put a ������ (adjective) between the

���f� (possessed noun) and �g�*�&�F ���f� (possessor)? The answer is no. The ��F���"��/ construction is

‘sacrosanct’ and violating it by interpolating a ������ (adjective) amounts to grammatical ‘blasphemy’. A ������

(adjective) describing the ���f� (possessed noun) must be placed after the ��F���"��/ construction.

�S�&�lb& ���� �!%& �LM�L�G The new book of the student / The student’s new book (kitaabu aT-Taalibi al-jadeedu)

We know that %&�LM�L�G is describing ���� �! here because it agrees with it in all four respects; it agrees with

�S�&�lb& in definition, gender and number but not ending.

E�A�9�3%& �j R<��+���D The most beautiful names of Allah / Allah’s most beautiful names (asmaa’u Allahi al-Husnaa)

��*%,�#%& �j .��+�,�! The loftiest word of Allah / Allah’s loftiest word (kalimatu Allahi al-⊂ulyaa)

The same is true when the �g�*�&�F ���f� (possessor) is a �H� ) � ���*�+�/ (attached pronoun).

�g���� �!%& �LM�L�G His new book (kitaabuhu al-jadeedu)

E�A�9�3%& �-�m��+���D His most beautiful names (asmaa’uhu al-Husnaa)

��*%,�#%& �g� �+�,�! His loftiest word (kalimatuhu al-⊂ulyaa)

.��,*�+�G%& ��n� �A�� Her beautiful daughter (bintuhaa al-jameelatu)

�=�>*�+�G%& ���n�U��A�� Their beautiful daughters (banaatuhum al-jameelaatu)

)2�(�N�?���D�7��_1 & Their small children (‘awlaaduhunna aS-Sighaaru)

.��,*�+�G%& �B� ���� Your beautiful attribute (Sifatuka al-jameelatu)

� �_) & ��� �*�� My small house (baytii aS-Sagheeru)

.��,*�+�G%& ��A$ .D Our beautiful mother (‘ummunaa al-jameelatu)

��*��$L& ��A�U��*�: Our temporal (lit. lowest) life (Hayaatunaa ad-unyaa)

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A ���7��P�Q ���� (demonstrative pronoun) demonstrating the ���f� (possessed noun) is placed after the ������

(adjective).

�S�&�lb& ���� �!%& �'�( �LM�L�G This new book of the student (kitaabu aT-Taalibi al-jadeedu haadthaa)

�g���� �!%& �'�( �LM�L�G This new book of his (kitaabuhu al-jadeedu haadthaa)

�-�'�( .��,*�+�G%& ��n� �A�� This beautiful daughter of hers (bintuhaa al-jameelatu haadthihi)

�+�G%& ���n�U��A���<�?�@�( �=�>* These beautiful daughters of theirs (banaatuhum al-jameelaatu haa’ulaa’i)

�B�o�?�.D �7��_1 & )2�(�N�?���D Those small children of theirs (‘awlaaduhunna aS-Sighaaru ‘ulaa’ika)

�B%,�U .��,*�+�G%& �B� ���� That beautiful attribute of yours (Sifatuka al-jameelatu tilka)

�B�&�p � �_) & �� �*�� That small house of mine (baytii aS-Sagheeru dthaalika)

�-�'�( .��,*�+�G%& ��A$ .D This beautiful mother of ours (‘ummunaa al-jameelatu haadthihi)

�-�'�( ��*��$L& ��A�U��*�: This temporal (lit. lowest) life of ours (Hayaatunaa ad-dunyaa haadthihi)

In a chain ��F���"��/ we can often tell which ���f� (possessed noun) the .����� (adjective) is describing from the

agreement pattern.

�������,*�+�G%& �B�,�+%& �V�A�� The name of the beautiful daughter of the king /

The name of the king’s beautiful daughter (ismu binti al-maliki al-jameelati)

We know that ���,*�+�G%& is describing �V�A�� here because it agrees with it in all four respects; it disagrees with

���� in gender and ending and disagrees with �B�,�+%& in gender.

It is possible in the ��F���"��/ construction for a ������ (adjective) to appear to describe both the ���f� (possessed

noun) and the �g�*�&�F ���f� , so that more than one translation is possible.

��" ���� �!�S�&�lb&%& �LM�L�G In the new book of the student or In the book of the new student (fii kitaabi aT-Taalibi al-jadeedi)

E�,��WX �B1��7 ���� The highest name of your Lord or The name of your Highest Lord (ismu rabbika al-a⊂laa)

The ambiguity in this last example is created by the inability of the word E�,��WX to carry a vowel ending.

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The correct reading of such ambiguous expressions is determined by context, but may be resolved using the

preposition q�& which means ‘to’, ‘for’ or ‘belonging to’. When written, it attaches to the ���� (noun)

following it. If the definite article q%& is preceded by q�& , we drop the (alif) and write q%,�& . When q�& attaches to a word, it forms a ���,�+�5 �gK�P (quasi sentence), just like any other 0��5 ����: (preposition).

���� �! �V�*�K%& ��" A book in the house (kitaabun fi al-bayti)

���� �!�& �V�*�K%, A book belonging to the house (kitaabun lil-bayti)

���� �!,�& �S�&�lb A book belonging to the student,

A book of the student (kitaabun liT-Taalibi)

We can use the preposition q�& to overcome the ambiguity in an ��F���"��/ construction.

��"�& ���� ��%&�S�&�lb,%& �LM�L�G In the book of the new student (fi al-kitaabi liT-Taalibi al-jadeedi)

��"%& ���� ��%&�LM�L�G�S�&�lb,�& In the new book of the student (fi kitaabi al-jadeedi liT-Taalibi)

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��������� �� Vocabulary

������ description waSfun

������� described noun mawSuufun

������ adjective Sifatun

�H�I���) �8�.,�I��� r R<�>�T��( rational ⊂aaqilun (⊂uqalaa’u , ⊂aaqiluuna)

�H�I��� ���*�J irrational ghayru ⊂aaqilin

� �_��)�7��_��( small (m) Sagheerun (Sighaarun)

��� �_��)�=� �_��( small (f) Sagheeratun (Sagheeraatun)

�LM�L�5) �N�L�5( new (m) jadeedun (jududun)

�LM�L�5 ��)�L�M�L�5�=( new (f) jadeedatun (jadeedaatun)

�HM���c ) �6���c( tall; long (m) Taweelun (Tiwaalun)

�,M���c ��)�M���c�=�>( tall; long (f) Taweelatun (Taweelaatun)

���*�J not ghayru

�8���� )�2�!�� �D r ���A��� �D( place makaanun (amkinatun, amaakinu)

���7)������7�D( lord rabbun (arbaabun)

���7)�7�D�����( lord rabbun (arbaabun)

q�& to; for; belonging to li

Exercise 1.4.2 Express in Arabic

1. A heavy word

2. The few servants of Allah on the Earth

3. Our new (male) teacher and our

old (female) teacher

4. His beautiful house in this valley

5. This beautiful house of his in the valley

6. From Hasan’s young (small) daughter

7. The closest meeting (do not use ���"��/�F )

8. Heavier than the whole Earth

9. The first Man on this Earth (do not use ���"��/�F )

10. A great sign in everything new

Exercise 1.4.1 Express in English

s .�H*�,�I �u�>�! ٢ .�d� WX �L)+�3� R<��T� %&�

٣ .�LM�L�G%& ���+�,�I ٤ .�'�( �LM�L�G%& ���+�,�I

٥ .���+�M�L�T%& ��A�A�+�M ��"�� ���,*�+�G%& ��A� ��P ��"

٦ .���K.�%& �g�U��MY�� ��*%,�#%& �j .��+�,�![

٧ .�6��+%& �'�( �2� �H*�,�I �<���P ����� ٨ .��� �_) & �\�7WX �-�'�( ��" ��*��$L& ��A�U��*�: ٩ .� ���*�J�( ��" �S����A��� � �T%& ����*�3%& �-�'

١٠ .�S�&�lb& �'�( ���� �!%& �LM�L�G

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��������� ��� �� Chapter 2

The Noun Sentence

In chapter one, we produced the phrases ‘an Arabic book’ and ‘the Arabic book’. In this chapter we

will learn how to produce the ������ (sentences) ‘the book is Arabic’ and ‘the books are Arabic’.

Arabic is both an inflected and analytic language. This means that meaning is produced either by

inflection (vowel ending on a word) or by structure (the order of words in a construct). This chapter

will introduce to us how we can produce meaning in the Arabic language in these two ways.

2.1 The simple ���������������� (noun sentence)

The Arabic language is made up of two basic types of sentence, the � ������� ����� (noun/nominal

sentence) and the ������� ������� (verb sentence). If a ������ (sentence) begins with a ������ (verb) it is a �� ����� ������� (verb sentence) and if it begins with a ����� (noun), it is usually a � ������� ����� (noun sentence), even

if it contains a ������ (verb).

In English, every sentence must contain a verb. In the sentences, ‘the book was useful’ (past), ‘the

book is useful’ (present) and ‘the book will be useful’ (future), we encounter the English verb ‘to be’.

Arabic also has a verb ‘to be’ but we do not use it in present tense sentences such as ‘the book is

useful’ and ‘the books are useful’. Arabic does not have a word equivalent to ‘is’ and ‘are’. A definite

����� (noun) followed immediately by an indefinite ����� (noun) or ���� (adjective) requires us to read ‘is’

or ‘are’ in between. This structure is called a � ������� ����� (noun sentence).

���������� ������� The book is useful (al-kitaabu naafi⊂un)

� �!�" �#�$���!�% Predicate Subject

This is an instance of Arabic being an analytic language where structure produces meaning.

In the above sentence, ���������� is the �#�$���!�% (Subject, mubtada’un). The �#�$���!�% (subject) must be ��� ���%

(definite). The word ������� is the � �!�" (Predicate, khabarun). The � �!�" (predicate) must be �&� ���� (indefinite).

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Noun Sentence in a nutshell

The � ������� ����� (noun sentence) is used to express the meaning, ‘the x is

(a) y’, in the present tense.

When we have a �#�$���!�% (subject) that is ��� ���% (definite) and a � �!�"

(predicate) that is �&� ���� (indefinite), we read ‘is/are’ in between.

The � �!�" (predicate) agrees with the �%�#�$���! (subject) in 2. gender, 3. ending

and 4. number but not in 1. definition.

Here are a few more examples.

�$�'���(�% �)���*+�� The student is diligent (aT-Taalibu mujtahidun)

�&�$�'���(�% ��!���*+�� The (f) student is diligent (aT-Taalibatu mujtahidatun)

������, -��� �� The man is a scholar (ar-rajulu ⊂aalimun)

-&#� ������������, The woman is a scholar (al-mar’atu ⊂aalimatun)

./�����, -0���1 �� The men are scholars (ar-rijaalu ⊂ulamaa’u)

./��213���4�������, The women are scholars (an-nisaa’u ⊂aalimaatun)

2.1.1 The �#�$���!�% (subject) need not agree with the � �!�" (predicate) if the � �!�" (predicate) is a � *56�% (masculine)

noun that does not have a �7 ��8�% (feminine) form or counterpart bearing the same meaning. Examples

are, �9���% (m), �$��: (m) and � �;�% (m). When one of these nouns is the � �!�" (predicate), it cannot agree with

a feminine �#�$���!�% (subject) in gender.

��<�=>? �9���% ������@ The earth is a wide place (al-arDu makaanun waasi⊂un)

-*��% �$��: �)1�A Makkah is a good town (makkatu baladun Tayyibun)

�B�C�%�D � �;�% ������� Damascus is a beautiful city (dimashqu miSrun jameelun)

i

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There are also some �7 ��8�% (feminine) nouns that do not have a � *56�% (masculine) form bearing the same

meaning. Some examples are � AE�F (f), �DG�: (f) and �$��: (f). When one of these nouns is the � �!�"

(predicate), it cannot agree with a masculine �#�$���!�% (subject) in gender.

��������@ � E�HI �DG�: �J�� ����� Iraq is a strong and beautiful country (al-⊂iraaqu bilaadun Qawiyyatun wa jameelatun)

2.1.2 The �#�$���!�% (subject) may be described by �4���� (adjectives).

������� KL�:� ����� ���������� The Arabic book is useful (al-kitaabu al-⊂arabiyyu naafi⊂un)

The ���� (adjective) agrees with the �#�$���!�% (subject) in 1. definition, 2. gender, 3. ending and 4. number.

In the above example, the � �!�" (predicate) is a ���� (adjective). If the � �!�" (predicate) is a ����� (noun), it

may also be described by �4���� (adjectives).

�M�!5 ������, -��� �� The man is a great scholar (ar-rajulu ⊂aalimun kabeerun)

2.1.3 We can conjunct words onto the � �!�" (predicate) with the conjunction �@ (and). The word �@ is always

prefixed to the word following it. In Arabic the conjucted word must always agree with the word it is

conjuncted to.

���E�$I �����������@ ���������������@ The book is old, beautiful and useful (al-kitaabu qadeemun wa jameelun wa naafi⊂un)

�M�!5�@ ������, . N� Allah is All-knowing and Great (allahu ⊂aleemun wa kabeerun)

O There are no commas in Arabic. A �@ must be placed before every item on a list.

2.1.4 We can simply juxtapose words to the � �!�" (predicate) as �0�$�: (substitute).

���������� ���E�$I�������������� The book is old beautiful useful (al-kitaabu qadeemun jameelun naafi⊂un)

�M�!5 ������, . N� Allah is All-knowing Great (allahu ⊂aleemun kabeerun)

2.1.5 We may use a �&�=��P�Q� ����� (demonstrative pronoun) as the definite �#�$���!�% (subject).

������� �6�R This is useful (haadha naafi⊂un)

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��!1�A �S�6�R This is good (haadhihi Tayyibatun)

./�����, �/T�8�R These scholars (haa’ulaa’i ⊂ulamaa’u)

In such sentences, the �U���V �=��C�% (demonstrated noun) may be mentioned. As stated in chapter 1, the �=��C�%�U���V (demonstrated noun) is a �0�$�: (substitute) of the �&�=��P�Q� ����� (demonstrative pronoun).

������� ���������� �6�R This book is useful (haadha al-kitaabu naafi⊂un)

��!1�A -�������� �S�6�R This word is good (haadhihi al-kalimatu Tayyibatun)

�/T�8�R�, -0���1 ��./���� These men are scholars (haa’ulaa’i ar-rijaalu ⊂ulamaa’u)

2.1.6 We know that � �W����X (pronouns) are intrinsically ��� ���% (definite) because they always sit in the place of

Y/�����# (nouns) that are ��� ���% (definite). We may use � �W����X���;��3�% (detached pronouns) as the definite

�#�$���!�% (subject).

�H�R������, He is a scholar (huwa ⊂aalimun)

�H�R�M�!5 ������, He is a great scholar (huwa ⊂aalimun kabeerun)

�L�R �&�M�!5 �������, She is a great scholar (hiya ⊂aalimatun kabeeratun)

���R �=��!�5 ./�����, They are great scholars (hum ⊂ulamaa’u kibaarun)

2.1.7 The �#�$���!�% (subject) may be a definite �Z��[�% (possessed noun).

�)���*+�� ������5 ������� The book of the student is useful (kitaabu aT-Taalibi naafi⊂un)

(������5 is the �#�$���!�% (subject). It is also a �Z��[�% (possessed

noun). �)���*+�� is its �Z��[�% �V�U��� (possessor). ������� is the � �!�"

(predicate)).

�U�:����5 ������� His book is useful (kitaabuhu naafi⊂un)

����@ �N� �<�=#�@ \ ���] And the earth of Allah is wide (wa arDu allahi waasi⊂atun)

�$� ��@ �U��V ��-��'��V�@ \ ] And your God is One God (wa ilaahukum ilaahun waaHidun)

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2.1.8 The � �!�" (predicate) may also be an indefinite �Z��[�% (possessed noun).

�S�6�R -����5_B� This is a word of truth (haadhihi kalimatu Haqqin)

2.1.8 Both the �#�$���!�% (subject) and � �!�" (predicate) may have a ����� �U!�P (quasi sentence) attached to it.

(a) Attachment to a �#�$���!�% (subject):

�&�M�;I �<�=>?� L�� -&����a��� Life on the earth is short (al-Hayaatu fi al-arDi qaSeeratun)

(‘on the earth’ is expressed as �<�=>?� L�� not b��,�<�=>?� )

(b) Attachment to a � �!�" (predicate):

��<�=>?� �c�, �&�$����: �d�� C� The Sun is far from the Earth (ash-shamsu ba⊂eedatun ⊂ani al-arDi)

�� ������-# -&# �&e���L���J�� ����� L�� ���=�$�% The woman is a teacher in a school in Iraq (al-mar’atu ustaadhatun fii madrasatin fi al-⊂iraaqi)

�)���*+����� L�� �DH���H�% ����=�$�� The student is present in the school (aT-Taalibu mawjuudun fi al-madrasati)

(c) Attachment to an elliptical/omitted � �!�" (predicate):

In the last example above, the basic �������� ����� (noun sentence) is,

�)���*+���DH���H�% The student is present (aT-Taalibu mawjuudun)

We can think of the ����� �U!�P (quasi sentence) ��� L������=�$�� being attached in response to the question,

‘where is the boy present?’ We may reply,

�)���*+����� L�� �DH���H�% ����=�$�� The student is present in the school (aT-Taalibu mawjuudun fi al-madrasati)

If we remove �DH���H�% from the above sentence, we are left with,

�)���*+����� L�� ����=�$�� The student is in the school (aT-Taalibu fi al-madrasati)

(Note that this can also be interpreted as a phrase

meaning ‘the student in the school’ cf. Chapter 1.1)

�DH���H�% remains the elliptical/omitted � �!�" (predicate) to which the �!�P����� �U (quasi sentence) is attached.

In general we import the word �DH���H�% (present) or �c�W�5 (existent), to make sense of all such ������ �� �����

(noun sentences) in which the � �!�" (predicate) appears to be a �!�P����� �U (quasi sentence).

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�H�R��� L������=�$�� He is in the school (huwa fi al-madrasati)

(grammatically: �DH���H�% �H�R��� L�� ����=�$�� )

�6�R��� L������=�$�� This is in the school (haadhaa fi al-madrasati)

(grammatically: �DH���H�% �6�R��� L�� ����=�$�� )

���������� L�� -�������� The word is in the book (al-kalimatu fi al-kitaabi)

(grammatically: -���������&�DH���H�% ���������� L�� )

2.2 The indefinite ������� � (subject)

We know that the �#�$���!�% (subject) in a � ������� ����� (noun sentence) must be ��� ���% (definite). But what if

we want to produce an indefinite �#�$���!�% (subject) and say, ‘a student is in the school’? We are tempted to

render this as,

�)���A ��� L������=�$�� �

However, this expression is a phrase meaning ‘a student in the school’ (cf. Chapter 1.1) and is not a

complete sentence. To say ‘a student is in the school’ Arabic requires us to put the definite ����� �U!�P

(quasi sentence) first,

L������)���A ����=�$�� A student is in the school, or

There is a student in the school, or

In the school (there) is a student (fi al-madrasati Taalibun)

��� L�������5 ������� A word is in the book, or

There is a word in the book, or

In the book (there) is a word (fi al-kitaabi kalimatun)

��� L�� �������_B� -����5 A word of truth is in the book, or

There is a word of truth in the book, or

In the book (there) is a word of truth (fi al-kitaabi kalimatu Haqqin)

We may state the rule as being,

O An indefinite �#�$���!�% is permitted if there is a ����� �U!�P (quasi sentence) before it.

It may help to remember that as a general rule Arabic is averse to starting a ������ (sentence) with a �&� ���� (indefinite) word.

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� First Aid

The third translation given above for L������)���A ����=�$�� ‘in the school is a student’,

is useful because the English word order is identical to the Arabic. However,

because the word ‘student’ comes after the word ‘is’ in the English, one might be

tempted to think that ‘the school’ is the �#�$���!�% (subject) and ‘a student’ is the � �!�"

(predicate).

Prescription

It is clear that ‘the school’ cannot be the �#�$���!�% (subject) and ‘a student’ cannot be the

� �!�" (predicate). It makes no sense to say ‘the school is a student’!

It is essential to remember that )���A is still the �#�$���!�% (subject) albeit �&� ���� (indefinite).

The � �!�" (predicate) is hidden at the beginning, rendering:

)�DH���H�% ( L������)���A ����=�$�� ((mawjuud) fi al-madrasati Taalibun)

2.3 The definite ��� �� (predicate)

We know that the � �!�" (predicate) in a � ������� ����� (noun sentence) must be �&� ���� (indefinite) as in the

sentence,

-��� ��������, The man is a scholar (ar-rajulu ⊂aalimun)

But what if we want to produce a definite � �!�" (predicate) and say ‘the man is the scholar’? Arabic, in

principle, has no objection to a definite � �!�" (predicate) so long as there is no danger of the definite � �!�"

(predicate) looking like a �i���@ (description) of the �#�$���!�% (subject). When the definite � �!�" (predicate) is

a ���� (adjective), this danger is quite real. To say, ‘the man is the scholar’, we cannot simply say,

-��� ������������ because that means ‘the scholar(ly) man’. To overcome this, we introduce between the �#�$���!�%

(subject) and the definite � �!�" (predicate) a �M���X (pronoun) that agrees with the �#�$���!�% (subject). This is

called �M���X���;���� (the pronoun of separation). It prevents the � �!�" (predicate) looking like a ����

(adjective) of the �#�$���!�% (subject).

�H�R -��� ������������ The man is the scholar (ar-rajulu huwa al-⊂aalimu)

�������

�� �����

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�H�R -��� �� �6�R���������� This man is the scholar (haadhaa ar-rajulu huwa al-⊂aalimu)

�H�R �6�R���������� This is the scholar (haadhaa huwa al-⊂aalimu)

(���������� �6�R means ‘this scholar’)

�L�R -&#� ����� -���������� The woman is the scholar (al-mar’atu hiya al-⊂aalimatu)

��� ���R -0���1 ��./������ The men are the scholars (ar-rijaalu humu al-⊂ulamaa’u)

(a) Where there is no longer any danger of the � �!�" (predicate) looking like a ���� (adjective) of the �#�$���!�%

(subject), the �M���X���;���� (the pronoun of separation) is not required. There are numerous instances

when this occurs. Here are a few.

(i) When the �#�$���!�% (subject) is a ����� (noun).

-e�����.?� -��� �� The man is the teacher (ar-rajulu al-‘ustaadhu)

(ii) When the �#�$���!�% (subject) is a �M���X (pronoun).

�H�R���������� He is the scholar (huwa al-⊂aalimu)

�L�R ���-������� She is the scholar (hiya al-⊂aalimatu)

./��������� ���R They are the scholars (humu al-⊂ulamaa’u)

\ . N� ���#] I am Allah (ana allahu)

(iii) When the � �!�" (predicate) is a �M���X (pronoun).

���������� �H�R The scholar is he (al-ustaadhu huwa)

�H�R �H�R He is he / It is it (huwa huwa)

�H�R �6�R This is it / him (haadhaa huwa)

�H�R�6�R He / it is this (huwa haadhaa)

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(iv) When the � �!�" (predicate) is a definite �Z��[�% (possessed noun).

��� � -��$��H��� -e�����-# The man is the teacher of the boy (ar-rajulu ustaadhu al-waladi)

(�$��H��� -e�����-# �H�R -��� �� is weak)

�L1%-# �jK%-# Your mother is my mother (ummuka ummii)

\ �<�=>?��@ �4��@��� 2�� K��= ��3K:�=] Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth (rabbunaa rabbu as-samaawaati wa al-arDi)

\ -0H���= �$ ��a�%�N� ] Muhammad is the messenger of Allah (muHammadun rasuulu allahi)

(v) When there is simply no room for confusion.

�c�2� �L����� My name is Hasan (ismii Hasanun)

�$��� # �U����� \] His name is Ahmad (ismuhu aHmadu)

We may summarise the above in the following rule,

O A definite � �!�" (predicate) must be separated from the �#�$���!�% (subject) by a �M���X���;���� (the pronoun of

separation), except when there is no danger of the � �!�" (predicate) looking like a ���� (adjective) of the

�#�$���!�% (subject). This occurs when,

1. the �#�$���!�% (subject) is a ����� (noun)

2. the �#�$���!�% (subject) is a �M���X (pronoun)

3. the � �!�" (predicate) is a �M���X (pronoun)

4. the �"� �! (predicate) is a �Z��[�% (possessed noun)

5. there is simply no room for confusion.

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� ��!���"���

Vocabulary

Chapter 2.1 – The Noun Sentence

�$� ��@ one (m) waaHidun

�&�$� ��@ one (f) waaHidatun

������)������( 1. sentence (f) (gram.);

2. group, sum total (f) jumlatun (jumalun)

� ������ ������ noun sentence (gram.) jumlatun ismiyyatun

�#�$���!�% 1. subject (gram.);

2. beginning mubtada’un

� �!�" )#�=��!�"( 1. predicate (gram.);

2. news khabarun (akhbaarun)

>?��=��!�" the news al-akhbaaru

�������)9H�������( useful (m) naafi⊂un (naafi⊂uuna)

��������)�4��������( useful (f) naafi⊂atun (naafi⊂aatun)

�$��:)�9��$���: k �DG�:** ( town (m or f) baladun (bilaadun, buldaanun)

�DG�:)�9��$���:( country ( f) bilaadun (buldaanun)

�$�'���(�%) 9@�$�'���(�%( diligent, hard working (m) mujtahidun (mijtahiduuna)

�&�$�'���(�%) �4��$�'���(�%( diligent, hard working (f) mujtahidatun (mijtahidaatun)

������,) ./�����,( scholar (m) ⊂aalimun (⊂ulamaa’u)

�������,) �4�������,( scholar (f) ⊂aalimatun (⊂aalimaatun)

�)1�A )9H�!1�A( good (m) Tayyibun (Tayyibuuna)

��!1�A )�4��!1�A( good (f) Tayyibatun (Tayyibaatun)

������@ )9H������@( wide (m) waasi⊂un (waasi⊂uuna)

������@� )�4�������@( wide (f) waasi⊂atun (waasi⊂aatun)

�m��a��)�n��a��( correct (m) SaHeeHun (SiHaaHun)

��a��a��)�4��a��a��( correct (f) SaHeeHatun (SaHeeHaatun)

����=�$�% )�o�=��$�%( school (f) madrasatun (madaarisu)

����: )#����H�:( door baabun (abwaabun)

�p� �,)�p@� �,( throne ⊂arshun (⊂uruushun)

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��� �q�����)����4��,�����( meeting ijtimaa⊂un (ijtimaa⊂aatun)

�DH���H�%)9@�DH���H�%( present (m) mawjuudun (mawjuuduuna)

�&�DH���H�%)�4��DH���H�%( present (f) mawjuudatun (mawjuudaatun)

�c�W�5 existent mawjuudatun (mawjuudaatun)

���;� separation faSlun

���;�)�0H�;-�( section; season faSlun (fuSuulun)

���;���� �M���X the pronoun of separation Dameeru al-faSli

Exercise 2.1.2 Express in Arabic

1. Allah is One

2. Our word is one word

3. Muhammad is a good teacher

4. The short book is expansive (wide)

and useful

5. The sea is large, wide and beautiful

6. My house is close to the sea

and far from your house

7. They are senior professors

8. He is better than me

9. This sentence is not correct

10. The book of this student is useful

11. This book of the student is useful

12. The life of this world is short

13. Speech about the president is

forbidden in Syria

14. His signs are present in everything

15. This is one word from the sum total

of his speech

16. The meeting is in the school and the school

is far from our house

17. These women are the new teachers

18. She is the new teacher

19. My mother is your mother

20. Her name is Maryam and his name is

Ahmad

Exercise 2.1.1 Express in English

r .� �!�5# . N�

٢ .1�A �=��!�">?���! ٣ .������� �����= �$ ��a�% ٤ .� �!�"�@ �#�$���!�% - ������T� -����(��� ٥ .�4��$E�$�� �4��!���A c�R ٦ .�a��a�� � ��s ������ �L�R ٧ .� 3�% 9H�!E� I �o� 3�� �/T�8�R ٨ .� �a�!��� �c�% �)E� I c�2� �)E� I �t���: ٩ .������� �6�R �j�%��'������� ١٠ . \�$� ��@ �U��V ��-��'��V�@] ١١ .DH���H�% � ��s �<�=>?� L�� �uG 2�� ١٢ .�v�M���X �c�% �uG5 �6�R ١٣ .����=�$����� L�� ��*Gw+�� ������� �c�% �M�" -�!���*+�� �S�6�R ١٤ .�p� ����� b��, �$��H��� ١٥ .����=�$����� L�� �c�a��

١٦ .�M�!5 �q�������� �t���!��� L��

١٧ .-0���1 �� �j�x��@-#���R �D�$�(��� -&6�y���>?�

١٨ . �6�R�$E�$�(��� �)���*+�� �H�R ١٩ .] ���������� �L�R �N� -����5�@ \ ٢٠ .] �<�=>?��@ �4��@��� 2�� K��= ��3K:�= \

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43

��������� ��� �� Chapter 2

The Noun Sentence

2.4 Emphasising the ���������������� (noun sentence) using ����

The �������� ������ � (noun sentence) can be emphasised by placing ���� before it. In classical Arabic ���� is a

strong emphatic particle which we may translate as ‘indeed’ or ‘verily’. In Modern Arabic, ���� has lost

much of its emphatic strength and is used simply as a stylistic device. Very often it is not translated.

� ���� changes the ending of the �������� � (subject) from ������ to �������� .

������������ ��!���" � Indeed the student is diligent (inna aT-Taaliba mujtahidun)

Renamed Renamed

���� #���$ ���� %��

�������������� �&���!���" � Indeed the (f) student is diligent (inna aT-Taalibata mujtahidatun)

(a) When the �������� � (subject) is a �'�(�)�* � +���� (detached pronoun) as in ��!���" � �, - (he is diligent) and �.�-�&���!���" � (she is diligent), it changes to a �'�(�� � +���� (attached pronoun) and attaches to ���� .

/�0�� ��!���" � Indeed he is diligent (innahu mujtahidun)

��!�0���&���!���" � Indeed she is diligent (innahaa mujtahidatun)

(b) When the �������� � (subject) is one of the 12��������&�3��4�5 (demonstrative pronouns) that we have

encountered, the effect of ���� is not visible on the 12��������&�3��4�5 (demonstrative pronouns) because they

are 6.�*���� (indeclinable), but is visible on the �/����� 3��7 � (demonstrated noun).

����68�9 �:�;�<=� �>�- Indeed this speech is true (inna haadhaa al-kalaama Haqqun)

����68�9 �>�- Indeed this is true (inna haadhaa Haqqun)

���� 3����? 12����� @ �A���B#� �2�C D�- Indeed these men are great scholars (inna haa’ulaa’i ar-rijaalu ⊂ulamaa’u kibaarun)

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(c) When the �������� ������ � (noun sentence) is an indefinite �������� � (subject) preceded by a E����� � /��4 (quasi

sentence), ���� makes the indefinite �������� � (subject) end in �������� .

����F������G �����3����=� .�� Indeed there is a student in the school (inna fi al-madrasati Taaliban)

����F�������G �����3����=� .�� Indeed there is a (f) student in the school (inna fi al-madrasati Taalibatan)

If the #���$ (predicate) were visible in the above sentences, they would read, ���� H, ��,�� ��F������G �����3����=� .

and ���� �H, ��,���& F�������G �����3����=� .�� .

(d) When ���� enters upon a �������� ������ � (noun sentence) that has a definite #���$ (predicate), we have the

option of introducing the +�����'�(�)=� (pronoun of separation) or omitting it because there is no danger

of the #���$ (predicate) looking like a ���)�I (adjective) of the �������� � (subject)

�, - �' ��#� ���� %����J=� The man is the scholar (inna ar-rajula huwa al-⊂aalimu)

�' ��#� ���� %����J=� The man is the scholar (inna ar-rajula al-⊂aalimu)

%�-��)=� �, - �%����J=� ���� Indeed the scholar is the one who understands (inna al-⊂aalima huwa al-faahimu)

%�-��)=� �%����J=� ���� Indeed the scholar is the one who understands (inna al-⊂aalima al-faahimu)

�.B0�� K 1 L ��0��M Indeed I am Allah (innii ana allahu)

Morphology

When ���� is attached to the first person attached pronouns, we have two

alternative spellings.

��*�0�� / ��0�� Indeed we …

.�*�0�� / .B0�� Indeed I …

i

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2.5 Transporting the ���������������� (noun sentence) to the past using �����

The �������� ������ � (noun sentence) can be transported to the past by placing ����? before it when the �������� �

(subject) is masculine. When �������� � (subject) is feminine, we use the feminine �O�0��?. We can think of

����? as our Arabic ‘time machine’.

We will deal with ����? fully later. For the moment, let us confine ourselves to transporting only singular

�'�� ��������� (noun sentences) to the past.

� ����? changes the ending of the #���$ (predicate) from ������ to �������� . We can think of it as having the

opposite effect to ���� .

����? ������� F��!���" � The student was diligent (kaana aT-Taalibu mujtahidan)

Renamed Renamed

#���$����? %������?

�O�0��? P��������� F&���!���" � The (f) student was diligent (kaanati aT-Taalibatu mujtahidatan)

(the �&�#�Q�? on �O�0��? is a liaison vowel

introduced to avoid 12��R��=� �S���*�?��Q� cf. P6).

(a) If the �������� � (subject) is a +���� (pronoun) as in ��!���" � �, - (he is diligent) and �&���!���" � �.�- (she is

diligent), the +���� (pronoun) must be dropped when the ������ ��������� (noun sentence) is transported to

the past by ����? .

����?F��!���" � He was diligent (kaana mujtahidan)

�O�0��?F&���!���" � She was diligent (kaanat mujtahidatan)

We can emphasise these sentences by placing before them ���� with a �'�(�� � +���� (attached pronoun).

����? /�0��F��!���" � Indeed he was diligent (innahu kaana mujtahidan)

�O�0��? ��!�0��F&���!���" � Indeed she was diligent (innahaa kaanat mujtahidatan)

�������� ���� ����?F��!���" � Indeed the student was diligent (inna aT-Taaliba kaana mujtahidatan)

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(b) If the �������� ������ � (noun sentence) is an indefinite �������� � (subject) preceded by a E����� � /��4 (quasi

sentence), ����? must agree with the indefinite �������� � (subject).

����? �����G �����3����=� .�� There was a student in the school (kaana fi al-madrasati Taalibun)

�O�0��?��������G �����3����=� .�� There was a (f) student in the school (kaanat fi al-madrasati Taalibatun)

In the above sentences, the #���$ (predicate) is omitted so ����? does not bring about any visible change.

If the #���$ (predicate) were visible, the sentences would read, ����? H, ��,��F �����G �����3����=� .�� and

�O�0��? �H, ��,��F& ��������G �����3����=� .�� .

Kaana confusion

Note the difference in the following two sentences. If you grasp these two

simple structures now, it will save you a lot of confusion later.

����? ����,=�F������G He was a student

����?�����3����=� .�� �����G There was a student

2.6 Negating the ���������������� (noun sentence) using ������

The �������� ������ � (noun sentence) can be negated by placing before it �T���� when the �������� � (subject) is

masculine. When �������� � (subject) is feminine, we use the feminine �Q�����O . (Note that sentences are

negated and words are negativised).

We will deal with �T���� fully later. For the moment, let us confine ourselves to negating only singular

�'�� ��������� (noun sentences).

� �T���� is a ‘sister’ of ����? and likewise changes the ending of the #���$ (predicate) from ������ to �������� .

�T���� ������� FC, Q�? The student is not lazy (laysa aT-Taalibu kasuulan)

Renamed Renamed

#���$�T���� %���T����

i

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47

�O�Q���� P���������FC, Q�? The (f) student is not lazy (laysati aT-Taalibatu kasuulan)

�T����FC, Q�? He is not lazy (laysa kasuulan)

�O�Q����FC, Q�? She is not lazy (laysat kasuulan)

�T���� /�0��FC, Q�? Indeed he is not lazy (innahu laysa kasuulan)

�O�Q���� ��!�0��FC, Q�? Indeed she is not lazy (innahaa laysat kasuulan)

�T���� �����G �����3����=� .�� There is not a student in the school (laysa fi al-madrasati Taalibun)

�O�Q������������G �����3����=� .�� There is not a (f) student in the school (laysat fi al-madrasati Taalibatun)

2.7 ��� ���� �!��"�#�$�� (The interrogative particle)

The �������� ������ � (noun sentence) can be rendered interrogative simply by intonation of the voice. We do

not have to change sentence structure as we de in English. This is why we often find Arabic speakers

asking questions in English using declarative sentences. When translating interrogative sentences from

English to Arabic, we simply turn them into declarative sentences.

#����=� ���J�V The sea is far? (al-bahru ba⊂eedun)

)�, - (68�9 It is true? (huwa Haqqun)

Often, intonation is reinforced by placing one of the interrogative particles ='�- and �� before the ������ �

(sentence). ='�- and �� are generally interchangeable. Modern Arabic often uses an inverted question mark

Y which it has borrowed from English.

�'�- #����=� ���J�V Is the sea far? (hali al-bahru ba⊂eedun)

(the �&�#�Q�? on �'�- is a liaison vowel cf. P6)

�, -��68�9 Is it true? (ahuwa Haqqun)

������?�����I F� Was it correct? (akaana SaHeeHan)

�� �����G �����3����=� .�� Is there a student in the school? (afi al-madrasati Taalibun)

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������? �����G �����3����=� .�� Was there a student in the school? (akaana fi al-madrasati Taalibun)

% ��0���� H�C�Z[\. �C S���0 PA���B#� Are you the boys? No, we are the men (a’antumu al-awlaadu laa naHnu ar-rijaalu)

When �� is followed by the definite article =�] a phonetic change occurs rendering, ]=�^ (aal). It is far

more common however, to use ='�- before a definite article.

^ #����=� ���J�V.�%�J�0 _ #����=� ���J�V Is the sea far? Yes the sea is far (aal-bahru ba⊂eedun ? na⊂am al-bahru ba⊂eedun)

When �� is followed by a word beginning with �'�I�,=� P&� ���- the �'�I�,=� P&� ���- is dropped.

S�Q�9 �a ��� Your name is Hasan (ismuka Hasanun)

S�Q�9 �a ����� Is your name Hasan (asmuka Hasanun)

�O����=� .�� ��* @��������� Is our meeting in the house? (ajtimaa⊂unaa fi al-bayti)

It is common with interrogatives to switch the ��������� (subject) and #���$ (predicate) around.

�, - b����I�� Y Is it correct? (aSaHeeHun huwa)

�� �, - 68�9Y Is it true? (aHaqqun huwa)

2.7.1 Negative interrogatives

To frame a question in the negative with a �������� ������ � (noun sentence) we use �T������ (not ='�-�T���� )

F������G S�Q�9 �T������Y Is Hasan not a student?

For negatively framed questions, an answer of �%�J�0 , confirms the negation, so that �%�J�0 and �C amount to

the same response

�%�J�0 Yes (he is not a student)

�C No (he is not a student)

To answer in the positive, we must say c���V (yes indeed)

c���V Yes indeed (he is a student)

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Summary Supplement The Noun Sentence

�%��&�'(�� ����������� ������)��� ��*

�������+�,

Examples

d����0 e����<=� The book is useful

d����0 �, - It is useful

d����0 e����<=� �>�- This book is useful

d����0 �>�- This is useful

�������� e����? d����0 The student’s book is useful

f8�9 P������? �g�>�- This is a word of truth

1. A �������� ������ � (noun sentence) is constructed from a definite

�������� � (subject) and an indefinite #���$ (predicate).

�����3����=� .�� ������� The student is in the school

2. An indefinite �������� � (subject) is permitted if it is preceded by

a E����� � /��4 (quasi sentence).

�����G �����3����=� .��

A student is in the school, or

There is a student in the school, or In the school (there) is a student

3. A definite #���$ (predicate) must be separated from the �������� � (subject) by a �'�(�)=� +���� (the pronoun of separation)

except when,

Ph�����1\ �, - P' ��#�

The man is the teacher

a) the ��������� (subject) is a +���� (pronoun) Ph�����1\ �, - He is the teacher

b) the #���$ (predicate) is a +���� (pronoun �, - Ph�����1\ The teacher is he

�, - �, - He is he

c) the #���$ (predicate) is a i��j � (possessed noun)

�����P� P' ��#������,=� Ph The man is the boy’s teacher

��!���" � �������� ����

Indeed the student is diligent

��!���" � /�0�� Indeed he is diligent

�����>�-68�9 �:�;�<=� Indeed this speech is true

����F������G �����3����=� .�� Indeed there is a student in the school

4. The �������� ������ � (noun sentence) can be emphasised by

placing ���� before it, which

Ph�����1\ �' ��#� ���� Indeed the man is the teacher

F��!���" � ������� ����?

The student was diligent

F��!���" � ����? He was diligent

F��!���" � ����? /�0�� Indeed he was diligent

5. The �������� ������ � (noun sentence) can be transported to the

past by placing ����? before it, which changes the ending of

the #���$ (predicate) from ������ to ��������

�? ��� �����G �����3����=� .�� There was a student in the school

��!���" � ������� �T����F

The student is not diligent

F��!���" � �T���� He is not diligent

F��!���" � �T���� /�0�� Indeed he is not diligent

6. The �������� ������ � (noun sentence) can be negated by placing

�T���� before it, which changes the ending of the #���$

(predicate from ������ to ��������

�T���� �����G �����3����=� .�� There is not a student in the school

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50

�-��.���#���

Vocabulary

Chapter 2.4 – The Noun Sentence

���� Indeed inna

����? was (transports noun sentence to the

past) kaana

�T���� is/are not (negates noun sentence) Laysa

�A, Q�?)c����QP?( very lazy (m & f) kasuulun (kusaalaa)

#���V ) 3����V # ��V�� _ ( sea baHrun (biHaarun)

='�- ? hal

�� ? a

�:��!=)�����C i�#�9 interrogative particle (gram.) Harfu al-istifhaami

:��!=)����) k�����!=)����( Enquiry istifhaamun (istifhaamaatun)

�%�J�0 yes na⊂am

�C no laa

c���V yes indeed (after negative question) balaa

Exercise 2.4.2 Express in Arabic

1. Indeed his name is written in everything

2. Indeed this speech of yours is severe

3. Indeed there is a sign in this good news

4. Hasan’s relative’s house was close

to the sea

5. Was it a good book?

6. There was a great man on the earth

7. Was the meeting in the school? Yes, there

was a meeting in the school

8. Was there a boy on the throne? Yes, the

boy was on the throne

9. It is not close to the sea

10. Are the long sentences not correct?

Exercise 2.4.1 Express in English

١ .���� +���? %����@ [ L ٢ .l8��=� �, - �>�- ���� ٣ .F������? �e����<=� .�� ���� ٤ .M 1 L ��0�� .B0�� K ٥ .F+���? F������@ 1 L ����? ٦ .����0l�� �/�m����9 .�� F������@ ����? /�0�� ٧ .�n�+���� .�� �a ��;�? ����? ٨ .�/��� ����?��Y #���$ ٩ .�#����=� �S�@ F���J�V O����=� �T���� ١٠ .Y �������? �e����<=� .�� �O�Q������

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��������� ��� ��� Chapter 3

The Verb Sentence

A ������ (verb) is a word that refers to an action. If an Arabic ����� (sentence) begins with a ������ (verb) it is

a ��������� ����� (verb sentence). A ����� (sentence) beginning with a ����� (noun) is usually a � ����� ��������

(noun sentence).

3.1 ��������� ��������� (The perfect verb)

We will introduce �������� (verbs) in their �������� ������� (masculine singular) third person perfect form

because conjugation into all other persons is derived from this.

� ������! ��"�#����! (the perfect verb) refers to ‘complete’ action, usually in the past.

�$�%� He wrote, or

He has written, or

He did write

In Arabic, every ������ (verb) must have a ���&�� or ‘doer’. In English, we call this the ‘subject’ of the verb.

The ���&�� (subject) of �$�%� is the �'���#���%�%�(�� (implied pronoun, lit. hidden) �)�* . We need not say,

�)�* �$�%� .

The �+�,�-�� (feminine) of �$�%� is,

�.�%��/ She wrote

She has written

She did write

The �&���� (subject) of �.�%��/ is the �'���#���%�%�(�� (implied pronoun) �"�* .

With the perfect verb, the masculine and feminine singular are the only two persons for which Arabic

implies a �'���#���%�%�(�� (implied pronoun). To conjugate the verb into all other persons, we attach another

set of ���0����#���1�%�� (attached pronouns), different to those we have encountered before.

The table below gives the full conjugation of �$�%� in the perfect. The �'���#���%�%�(�� (implied pronoun) for

�$�%� and �.�%��/ are given in brackets. The ���0����#���1�%�� (attached pronouns) that are used to conjugate

�$�%� into all other persons are shaded in grey.

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DRILL #3

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

������� They wrote

(2)

� ����� They (two) wrote

(1)

)�)�*( ������ He wrote

Masculine

(6)

� ������ They wrote

(5)

��� ������ They (two) wrote

(4)

)�"�*( ��� ���� She wrote

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

� �������

You wrote

(8)

� ��������� You (two) wrote

(7)

� ������ You wrote

Masculine

(12)

� ������� You wrote

(11)

� ��������� You (two) wrote

(10)

� ������ You wrote

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

� �������� We wrote

(13)

� ����� I wrote

Masculine and

Feminine

First

person

3.1.1 The basic ��������� ����� (verb sentence) with a �'���# (pronoun) subject

4 A ������ (verb) and ���&�� (subject) on their own constitute a complete ��������� ����� (verb sentence), so all the

�������� (verbs) in the table above are complete ����� (sentences). All other perfect verbs are conjugated in

the same way.

��5� He read (qara’a)

(the ���&�� (subject) is the implied pronoun �)�* )

���5�6 She read (qara’at)

(the ���&�� (subject) is the implied pronoun �"�* )

�(� �) They (masc. pl.) sat (jalasuu)

(the ���&�� (subject) is the attached pronoun �7 )

� �(�/ I sat (jalastu)

(the ���&�� (subject) is the attached pronoun �6 )

3.1.2 The basic ��������� ����� (verb sentence) with a ����� (noun) subject

With third person (not second and first person) verbs, the ���&�� (subject) may be a ����� (noun) as

opposed to a �'���# (pronoun). When this occurs, the implied or attached pronouns that conjugate the

������ (verb) cease to be the ���&�� (subject).

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4 There are three things we need to remember about such ��� ����������� (verb sentences),

(a) The �&���� goes after the ������ (verb)

(b) The ������ (verb) makes the ���&�� end in �����#

��� �8 �$�%� A man wrote (kataba rajulun)

�� ��!� �9� The man sat (jalasa ar-rajulu)

�:������ �/�.�%� A woman wrote (katabat imra’atun)

(the �:���(� on �/�.�%� is a liaison vowel to avoid �(!� ;<�=�%�!���>�?�� )

:������!� �/�(� The woman sat (jalasati al-mar’atu)

(the �:���(� on �/�(� is a liaison vowel to avoid �(!� ;<�=�%�!���>�?�� )

(c) If the ���&�� (subject) is �@��� (plural), the ������ (verb) before it remains �������� (singular).

���� �8 �$�%� Men wrote (kataba rijaalun)

��� A�!� �9� The men sat (jalasa ar-rijaalu)

B<��(�, �/�.�%� Women wrote (katabat nisaa’un)

;<��(A?!� �/�(� The women sat (jalasati an-nisaa’u)

If a ������ (verb) comes after the ���&�� (subject) it must agree with the ���&�� (subject) in number as

well as gender.

�)���C��7 �D�EFG!� ���5 The students read and understood (qara’a atT-Tullabu wa fahimuu)

;<��(A?!� �/�(� H����5�7 �I�8JK� L�& The women sat on the ground and read (jalasati an-nisaa’u ⊂ala al-arDi wa qara’na)

If we have men and women performing the same action, the verb remains masculine singular.

��� A�!� �9� �7 ;<��(A?!� The men and women sat (jalasa ar-rijaalu wa an-nisaa’u)

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3.1.3 The �M�N ��)������ (object)

The object of a ������ (verb) is called �M�N ��)������ (lit. done to it).

4 The ������ (verb) makes the �M�N ��)������ (object) end in ���O�%� .

���5 �D��%�P�!� He read the book (qara’a al-kitaaba)

�/�.�%�Q����� She wrote a word (katabat kalimatan)

�D��%�P�!� ���R����5 You (masc. pl.) read the book (qara’tumu al-kitaaba)

(the �����# on ���R����5 is a liaison vowel to avoid �(!� ;<�=�%�!���>�?�� )

�SEP�!� �/���C� I understood the speech (fahimtu al-kalaama)

As illustrated in the above sentences, the normal word order in a ��������� ����� (verb sentence) is,

�M�N ��)������ (object) ���&�� (subject) ������ (verb)

O � S � V

(a) In the above sentences, the ���&�� (subject) is a �'���# (pronoun). With third person (not second and

first person) verbs where the ���&�� (subject) is a ����� (noun), the �M�N ��)������ (object) usually comes after the

���&�� (subject) keeping to the O � S � V order.

���5�T!�)�!� �D��%�P�!� The boy read the book (qara’a al-waladu al-kitaaba)

�/�.�%��:����� Q����� A woman wrote a word (katabat mar’atun kalimatan)

��� ��� A�!� �$�%�QE The men wrote sentences (kataba ar-rijaalu jumalan)

�SEP�!� ;<��(A?!� �/���C� The women understood the speech (fahimati al-nisaa’u al-kalaama)

(b) When the �M�N ��)������ (object) is a �'���# (pronoun), we use a ���1�%�� �'���# (attached pronoun), not �'���# ���1��?�� (detached pronoun) (cf. P13). The ���1�%�� �'���# (attached pronoun) attaches directly to the ������ (verb). The word order continues to be O � S � V.

�U���5 He read it (qara’ahu)

��?���C� He understood us (fahimanaa)

(Note that ��?���C� means ‘we understood’)

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�M�%�.�%� She wrote it (katabathu)

���C��V�% I understood you (fahimtuka)

Morphology

When the ��)�������M�N (object) is a �'���#�����1�% (attached pronoun) the following relate to

�JK����� � ����#����! � (perfect verbs):

(i) When the pronoun W�X is the ��)�������M�N (object) of a verb it becomes �," .

Rather than "���C� , we say:

"�?���C� He understood me

We add a �H between the ������ (verb) and the pronoun W�X to carry the �:���(� . This

�H is called ���Y�5�)�!� H)�, (the nun of protection) because it protects the vowels of the

������ (verb) from any change.

(ii) The final alif of the third person masculine plural is dropped when a �'���# (pronoun) is attached to it.

�7�Z��5�D��%�P�!� � They read the book

(Notice that the hamza of ���5 sits on a 7 in ��7�Z��5 )

7�Z��5�U They read it

(iii) When a �'���# (pronoun) is attached to the second person masculine plural, a

�7 is inserted in between.

���%���C� You (pl.) understood

���%���C� �$�% P�!� You (pl.) understood the books

��*)���%���C� You (pl.) understood them

(Note: P�!��$�% is [��5��& �'\ (irrational) and therefore

grammatically feminine singular)

i

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(c) With third person (not second and first person) verbs where the �M�N ��)������ (object) is a ���1�%�� �'���#

(attached pronoun) and the ���&�� (subject) is a ����� (noun), we have no recourse but to place the ���&�� (subject) after the �M�N ��)������ (object), rendering a S � O � V word order. Remember also that if the ���&�� (subject) is �@��� (plural), the ������ (verb) before it remains �������� (singular).

�T!�)�!� �U���5 The boy read it (qara’ahu al-waladu)

(Note that �U�T!�7 ���5 means ‘His boy read’)

�.�%���C ��� A�!� The men wrote them (katabahaa ar-rijaalu)

�%�.�%��M �:����� A woman wrote it (katabathu mar’atun)

�%���C��� P;<��(A?!� The women understood you (pl.) (fahimatkumu an-nisaa’u)

(the �����# on �%���C��� P is a liaison vowel to avoid �(!� ;<�=�%�!���>�?�� )

(d) The �M�N ��)������ (object) in the above sentences are what we call in English ‘direct objects’. �������� (verbs) which take direct objects are called ]T���%�� (transitive) in Arabic. There are some �������� (verbs) that

cannot take a direct object but require a ]�� � ���_ (preposition) before the ‘object’. In English these are

called indirect objects. �������� (verbs) that can only take indirect objects are called �S� a (intransitive).

Arabic does not actually think of an ‘indirect object’ as a ��)�������M�N (object) at all and thinks of it simply

as a [���� �M�.�b (quasi sentence) attached to a ������ (verb).

�I�8JK� L�& �9� He sat on the ground (jalasa ⊂la al-arDi)

3.1.4 Negating � ������! �"�#����! (the perfect verb)

� ������! �"�#����! (the perfect verb) is negated by placing before it the negative particle ��� .

���O�� �$�%� ���Q�N��%�� �T Muhammad did not write a book

�.�%� ����) They (masc. pl.) did not write

3.1.5 Emphasising � ������! �"�#����! (the perfect verb)

� ������! �"�#����! (The perfect verb) may be emphasised by the particle �T5 or more emphatically, by �T=! . The latter is only used initially in a sentence. �T5 and �T=! must always be followed by a ������ (verb).

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Arab linguists view these two emphatic particles as either foreclosing the possibility of anyone denying

the truth of the statement or responding firmly to any actual denial. The following dialogue illustrates

their usage,

���Y���� :�D��%�P�!� ���* �6����5 ���* Maryam: Have you read this book?

�d�(�_ :�����,e �M�R����5 �T5 Hasan : Yes, I have read it !

���Y���� : �6����5 ��� e a��b �d�� Q�f�D��%�P�!� ���* Maryam : No, you have not read anything from this book

�d�(�_ :�D��%�P�!� ���* �� � �6����5 �T=! Hasan : I did indeed read the whole of this book !

Nothing should intervene between �T5 and the ������ (verb) so we cannot say ��� �T5 or ��� �TJ=! . It also would

not make much sense because one affirms while the other negates.

3.2 Word Order

3.2.1 We have encountered the O � S � V and S � O � V structures above. There is another instance

when the S � O � V structure is preferred even when both the ���&�� (subject) and �M�N ��)������ (object) are

nouns.

When the ���&�� (subject) ends in �dY�)�?�R and the �M�N ��)������ (object) does not, it is better to put the ���&�� (subject) after the �M�N ��)������ (object). This is to engender better euphonic harmony.

��� �8 �D��%�P�!� �$�%� A man wrote the book

rather than

�D��%�P�!� ��� �8 �$�%�

and

�D��%�P�!� �$�%��d�(�_ Hasan wrote the book

rather than

�$�%��d�(�_�D��%�P�!�

3.2.2 The S � V � O structure

We may even bring the �M�N ��)������ (object) before the ������ (verb). This is used especially in poetry as a

rhetorical device to emphasise the �M�N ��)������ (object). The sentence is still considered to be a ��������� �����

(verb sentence).

��%�� �$�%� Q�N�d�(�_ A book did Hasan write

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3.2.3 The O � V � S structure

We have seen above that if a ����� (sentence) begins with the ������ (verb) or the �M�N ��)������ (object) it is a

��������� ����� (verb sentence).

If we place the �&���� (subject) before ������ (verb) in a O � V � S structure, the ����� (sentence)

becomes a ��������� ����� (noun sentence), even though it contains a ������ (verb).

��D��%�P�!� �$�%� �� ��! The man wrote the book

It is useful here to make a distinction between ‘grammar’ and ‘meaning’. Grammatically, in this

sentence, � �� ��! is the ���T�%�.�� (subject) of a ��������� ����� (noun sentence). We say that the verb �$�%� is a

verb sentence ���.�g�!� h��O�� "�� (in the place of the predicate). The �M�N ��)������ (object) is not essential to

the ����� (sentence).

But in terms of meaning, � �� ��! remains the iX�)�?���� ���&�� or semantic subject because as far as the

meaning of the sentence is concerned � �� ��! is ‘doer’ of the action.

In general, it is better practice to use the O � S � V structure rather than the O � V � S structure, and

you should try to avoid the latter at this stage in your Arabic lives.

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3.2 ��������� � �!��"��� (the imperfect verb)

� ������! ��j�8��k���! (the imperfect verb) refers to incomplete action usually in the present or future.

� ������! ��j�8��k���! (the imperfect verb) for �$�%� is:

�$�%�P�Y He is writing (continuous present), or

He writes (habitual present), or

He will write (future), or

He can write (ability)

�$�%�P�Y is produced by prefixing JY to the root, putting �H) P�� on the first root letter and �����# on the

second and last root letters. Verbs never end in �dY�)�?�R . The prefixed letter changes as � ������! ��j�8��k���! (the

imperfect verb) is conjugated into the different persons. They have been shaded in grey in the table

below. The four letters used can be summarised in the formula, �/�Yl�, .

The table below gives the full conjugation of �$�%�P�Y in the imperfect. The �'���#�� ���%�%�( (implied pronoun)

for those persons that have an implied pronoun ���&�� (subject) is given in brackets. The �'���#���1�%��

(attached pronoun) for the others is shaded in grey.

DRILL #4

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�# ��$���%

They write

(2)

�#� ��$��%

They (two) write

(1)

)�)�*( �#���$

He writes

Masc.

(6)

�#� ��$��

They write

(5)

�&� ��$��%

They (two) write

(4)

)�"�*( �&���$

She writes

Fem.

Third

Person

(9)

�& ��$���%

You write

(8)

�&� ��$��%

You (two) write

(7)

)�/�,�( �&���$

You write

Masc.

(12)

�&� ��$��

You write

(11)

�&� ��$��%

You (two) write

(10)

�&� ��$�'��

You write

Fem.

Second

Person

(14)

)�d�O�,( �(���$

We write

(13)

)��,�( �)����

I write

Masc. First

Person

The points relating to verb, subject and object apply to the � ������! ��j�8��k���! (the imperfect verb).

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60

If a [I��� ������ (perfect verb) has a ���O�%� on the middle root letter, such as �$�%� , the vowel above the

middle root letter in � ������! ��j�8��k���! (the imperfect verb) is different for different �������� (verbs). These

vowels will be indicated in the vocabulary lists in brackets after the perfect, as illustrated below.

Imperfect Perf.

�$�%�P�Y � )m( �$�%� He wrote

�9��n�Y � )o( �9� He sat

����=�Y � )p( ���5 He read

If a [I��� ������ (perfect verb) has a �:���(� under the middle root letter, like ���C� , the vowel above the

middle root letter in ��j�8��k���! (the imperfect) is nearly always ���O�%� .

���C���Y � )p( ���C� He understood

If a [I��� ������ (perfect verb) has a �����# over the middle root letter, like ���.�, the vowel above the middle

root letter in ��j�8��k���! (the imperfect) is always �����# .

���.�P�Y � )m( ���.� He grew

The )W�( �$�(�_ form is very rare.

�$�(�O�Y � )o( �$�(�_ He considered

You should learn ��j�8��k���! (the imperfect) of each ������ (verb) with �"�#����! (the perfect), just as we learn

�j)���n�!� (plurals) with �!����������6� (singulars). This is to ensure that ��j�8��k���! (the imperfect) springs to

mind the moment �����!"�# (the perfect) is mentioned.

3.2.1 Negating � ������! ��j�8��k���! (the imperfect verb)

� ������! ��j�8��k���! (the imperfect verb) is negated by placing before it the negative particle a .

�T���O�� ����=�Y a Muhammad is not reading, or

Muhammad does not / will not / cannot read

(laa yaqra’u muHammadun)

a���C��� I am not understanding

I do not / will not / cannot understand

(laa afhamu)

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61

3.2.2 The future tense

As noted above, � ������! ��j�8��k���! (the imperfect verb) has a number of possible meanings. If we wish to

make the action clearly in the future, we place either q�� or � �)�� before � ������! ��j�8��k���! (the imperfect

verb). The particle q�� attaches to the verb itself.

�$�%�P���� /�$�%�P�Y � �)�� He will write (sayaktubu / saufa yaktubu)

Nothing should intervene between � �)�� and the ������ (verb) so we cannot say � �)��a to mean, ‘He will

not’.

3.2.3 Placing �T5 before � ������! ��j�8��k���! (the imperfect verb)

Placing �T5 before � ������! ��j�8��k���! (the imperfect verb) emphasises its incompleteness and makes the

probability of the action uncertain.

�$�%�P�Y �T5 He may write, or

He might write (qad yaktubu)

In poetry and literature, �T5 can be used to affirm a ������ �j�8��k�� (imperfect verb) in the same way that it

affirms a ������ [I��� (perfect verb), but this is not common.

���C��� �T5 I do indeed understand (qad afhamu)

Again, nothing should intervene between �T5 and the ������ (verb) so we cannot say a �T5 to mean ‘He may

not’. Nor can we say q�� �T5 or �T5� �)�� to mean ‘He might’, though you may frequently hear this

modern barbarism.

�T=! is not normally never placed before a ������ �j�8��k�� (imperfect verb).

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3.3 !�*�+����� (The verbal noun)

The �8�T�1�� (verbal noun or gerund) which literally means ‘source’, is a noun to which the ������ (verb)

corresponds and may be rendered into English by suffixing ‘–ing’, ‘–tion’, ‘–ment’, ‘–ness’ or by the

infinitive verb: ‘to –’.

DRILL #5

Verbal

Noun Imperfect Perfect

Writing �%��Q��N� � �$�%�P�Y � )m( �$�%� He wrote

Sitting Q��) � � �9��n�Y � )o( �9� He sat

Reading Q:J<����5 � ����=�Y � )p( ���5 He read

Understanding Q���C� � ���C���Y � )p( ���C� He understood

Largeness ��.Q�� � ���.�P�Y � )m( ���.� He grew (in size)

Considering;

Consideration Q�N��(�_eQ�,��.�(�_ � �$�(�O�Y � )o( �$�(�_ He considered

The above �8���1�� (verbal nouns) have been presented ending in ���O�%�. This is because it is convention to

learn the �8�T�1�� (verbal noun) as though it is a ��)������ (object). This will be explained fully later.

Although �8�T�1�� (verbal noun) is essentially a noun, it has a certain verbal force, which is why we often

translate it into the English infinitive.

�t) �n�!� �9���u!� "�������� Sitting/to sit in the sun is nice (al-juluusu fii ash-shamsi jameelun)

���C��!�B<�"�b �v��O�1!� ������ Correct understanding is a beautiful thing (al-fahmu aS-SaHeehu shay’un jameelun)

Note that in the above sentences, ‘sitting’ and ‘understanding’ which are not preceded by ‘the’ are

rendered into Arabic using the definite article q�!� . This is because all verbal nouns used in this to refer

to general notions are ��������� (definite) and require q�!� .

Some �8����1�� (verbal nouns), apart from their ‘verbal’ meaning, have taken on a more concrete

‘nominal’ meaning. ���N��%�� means ‘writing’ and ‘to write’, but it also means ‘writing’ as in ‘ink on

paper’.

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63

��N��%�P�!� �T!�)�!� ����=�Y The boy is reading the writing (yaqra’u al-waladu al-kitaabata)

� First Aid

The �8�T�1�� (verbal noun) is often confused with the ������ �j�8��k�� (imperfect verb).

We find sentences such as ‘the man is sitting’ translated as:

�t) � �� ��!� or �� ��!� �t) �

Or sentences such as ‘to sit is nice’ and ‘sitting is nice’ translated as:

�9��n�Y ������

Prescription

Remember that the verbal noun is a noun, not a verb. A ������ (verb) always has a

tense or a time in which the action happens. A �8�T�1�� (verbal noun) has no tense.

In the sentence ‘The man is sitting’, the word ‘sitting’ is in the present tense so it

must be a ������ �j�8��k�� (imperfect verb).

�� ��!� �9��n�Y

In the sentences ‘to sit is nice’ and ‘sitting is nice’, the word ‘sit/sitting’ has no

tense so it must be a �8�T�1�� (verbal noun).

�!��t) �n������

3.4 The Passive Verb

All the �������� (verbs) that we have encountered in this chapter so far are active verbs. In Arabic, an

active verb is called �������S) ������! i"�?�.�� (lit. a verb constructed for the known (subject)). It is named so

because the ���&�� (subject) of an active verb is known. A passive verb is called ����������! i"�?�.����)�C�n (lit. a

verb constructed for the unknown (subject)) because in Arabic the ���&�� (subject) of a passive verb is

not known.

We know that �$�%� is a �������S) ������! i"�?�.�� (active verb) meaning ‘he wrote’. To say, ‘it was written’ as a

����������! i"�?�.����)�C�n (passive verb), we alter the vowels and say �$�% � . This is the same for all perfect

verbs. The ����! i"�?�.����)�C�n (passive) of the imperfect �$�%�P�Y is �$�%�P�Y (it is (being) written). Verbs that are

�S� a (intransitive) such as �9� (he sat) do not have a ����! i"�?�.����)�C�n (passive). It would not make much

sense to say �9�� .

�������

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64

� ����?�.���!� ������JK����! ��)�C�n (passive verbs) are conjugated in the same was as ����?�.���!� ������JK��S) ������! (active

verbs).

The �������S) ������! i"�?�.�� (active verb) as we know, has a ���&�� (subject) and may have a ��)�������M�N (object).

w��%��;K� �$�%��D��%�P�!� The professor wrote the book

When we make the verb ����! i"�?�.����)�C�n (passive), the ���&�� (subject) of the active verb disappears and

becomes ��)�C�n�� (unknown). The �M�N ��)������ (object) of the active verb takes its place and is called the

���&���!� �$�0��, (deputy of the subject).

�D��%�P�!� �$�% � The book was written

Since the �M�N ��)������ (object) has to become the ���&���!� �$�0��, (deputy of the subject), �S� a (intransitive)

active verbs that have no �M�N ��)������ (object) such as �9� (he sat) are often not used in the passive –

�9�� – form.

In Arabic the passive verb is called ��)�C�n����! x"�?�.���!� or ‘unknown’. This is because the subject of the

active verb cannot be mentioned once we make the verb passive.

In English, the subject is often mentioned with a passive verb such as in the sentence, ‘The book was

written by the professor’. We render such sentences into Arabic using a simple active verb as in the

first example above. In Arabic, the ���&�� (subject) of an active verb cannot be mentioned once we make

it passive.

3.4.1 We may introduce not the ���&�� (subject), but the instrument with which the action is carried out.

[�=�N �$�% � It was written with a pen

�N �$�% ��T���!� It was written by hand

�$�% � �T�Y L�& /�t��?!� X�T�Y� It was written by the people

The last example above is a Modern Arabic rendition of a non-Arabic phrase and is as such not a

classical Arabic expression. It is unfortunately used frequently in Modern Arabic journalese as a way

of skirting around Classical Arabic’s insistence on keeping the ���&�� (subject) of a passive verb ��)�C�n��

(unknown).

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65

3.5 The ten most common verb forms

All the verbs we have encountered so far may be considered Form I – ���� . Arab grammarians call this

‘����’ �7 H� or the ‘fa⊂

ala form’. There are fifteen verb forms in Arabic derived from the triliteral root by

affixing extra letters out of which ten are most common. Each form denotes certain meaning patterns

but it is best at this stage not to delve too deep into these, nor to consider them to be written in stone.

Rather, we will take the meaning of each individual verb as it is given.

We may summarise Form I as follows:

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

Q��N��%�� �D)�%�P�� �)�C� �$�%�P�Y �$�% � �$�R�� �)�C� �$�%�P�Y �$�%� Writing Written So it is It is written It was written A writer So he is He is writing He wrote

3.5.1 Form II

Form II of the verb is ‘����’ H� �7 . It is produced by doubling the middle letter of the root, so from form I

����& (to know), we have form II ����& (to teach lit. to make someone know). It may please you to know

that there is generally only one pattern for the �8�T�1�� (verbal noun) of Form II: ��������R and occasionally

�������R . This is true for all derived forms. Note that the ���&���!� ����� (Active Participle) and ��)�������!� ����� (Passive Participle) are identical apart from the vowel on the middle letter. This is true for all derived

forms.

We may summarise Form II as follows:

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

Q�������R ������� �)�C� ������Y ��h�& ��h���� �)�C� ��h���Y ����& Teaching Taught So he is It is taught It was taught A teacher So he is He is

teaching He taught

Form II is usually the causative of Form I. If a ������ (verb) in Form I has one ��)�������M�N (direct object),

Form II of that verb can have two ��)�������M�N .

�� ��!� ����&�t�8�T!� The man knew the lesson

�T!�)�!� �� ��!� ����&�t�8�T!� The man taught the boy the lesson

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3.5.2 Form V

Form V of the verb is ‘ �R���� ’ H� �7 . It produced from form II by affixing a taa’ with a ���O�%� on it to the

beginning, so from Form II ����& (to teach), we have Form V ������R (to learn).

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf. Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

Q��F���R ������%�� �)�C� ������%�Y ��h���R ��h���%�� �)�C� ������%�Y ������R Learning Learned So he is It is being learned It was learned A learner So he is He is learning He learned

Form V is usually the reflexive of Form II. That means that it refers to the action of the first ��)�������M�N

(object) of Form II. If Form II has two ��)�������M�N (objects), Form V takes one and if Form II has one

��)�������M�N , Form V has none.

�t�8�T!� �T!�)�!� ������R The boy learned the lesson

3.5.3 Form III

Form III of the verb is ‘��&��’ H� �7 . It is produced by inserting an alif between the first and second letter

of the root. The ���8�T�1 (verbal noun) of Form III is of the form ������� or ���&���� and occasionally both.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

Q����C� �*��n��Q:�T

�T�*��n�� �)�C� �T�*��n�Y �T�*)� �T�*��n�� �)�C� �T�*��n�Y �T�*��

Striving Striven against So he is He is striven

against He was striven against A striver So he is He is striving He strove

3.5.4 Form VI

Form VI of the verb is ‘��&���R’ � �7 H . It is the reflexive of Form III and is produced from Form III by

affixing a taa’ with a ���O�%� on it to the beginning. Form VI generally, but not always, implies mutual

action, so that its ���&�� (subject) must a dual, plural or collective.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

��*���RQ� ���*���%�� �)�C� �Y���*���% ���*) ��R ���*���%�� �)�C� ���*���%�Y ���*���R (Mutual)

understanding (Mutually)

understood So it is It is

(mutually)

understood It was

(mutually)

understood (Mutually)

understanding So they

are They are (mutually)

understanding They

(mutually)

understood

�T!�)�!��7 �� ��!� ���*���R The man and boy understood each other

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3.5.5 Form IV

Form IV of the verb is ‘������’ H� �7 . It is usually causative and is produced by affixing a �@�G=�!� :�z���* with

a ���O�%� on it to the beginning to the root, so from form I ����& (to know), we have form IV �&��� (to inform

lit. to make someone know).

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

Q��E�&�{ ������ �)�C� �����Y ����& � ������� �)�C� ������Y ���&� Informing Informed So he is He is

informed He was

informed An

informer So he is He is

informing He

informed

3.5.6 Form VII

Form VII of the verb is ‘�����,��’ H� �7 . It is produced by affixing an alif and a nun to the root. The alif has

�!� :�z���*���|�) so any vowel preceding it will override it. If it is initial, it takes a �:���(� . Form VII is not

produced from roots beginning with < , 8 , � , H or X .

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

���u�P�,��Q� �}�uP�?�� �)�C� �}�uP�?�Y �}�u P�, � �}�uP�?�� �)�C� �}�uP�?�Y �}�uP�,�� Uncovering - So he is - - Uncovered So it is It is

becoming

uncovered It became uncovered

Form VII is an active verb but denotes a passive meaning, so it generally has no ����! i"�?�.����)�C�n (passive)

and takes no ��)�������M�N (objects). Compare:

����JK� �}�u � The matter was uncovered

����JK� �}�uP�,�� The matter became uncovered

3.5.7 Form VIII

Form VIII of the verb is ‘����%����’ H� �7 . It is produced by affixing an alif before the root and a ta between

the first and second root letters. The alif has ���|�)�!� :�z���* so any vowel preceding it will override it. If it

is initial, it takes a �:���(� .

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

���C�%� ��Q� �T�C�%�n�� �)�C� �T�C�%�n�Y �T�C�%� � �T�C�%�n�� �)�C� �T�C�%�n�Y �T�C�%� �� Hard work Worked at So it is It is

worked at It was

worked at A hard

worker So he is He is

working hard He worked

hard

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3.5.8 Form IX

Form IX of the verb is ‘��������’ H� �7 . It is produced by affixing an alif before the root and doubling the

last letter. The alif has ���|�)�!� :�z���* so any vowel preceding it will override it. If it is initial, it takes a

�:���(� .

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

8������_��Q� i����O�� �)�C� x����O�Y �����_�� Reddening -

- -

Reddened So he is It is becoming red It became red

Form IX is only used for colours and defects.

�M�C� �7 �����_�� His face became red

3.5.9 Form X

Form X of the verb is ‘������%����’ H� �7 . It is produced by affixing an alif, a seen and a taa before the root.

The alif has ���|�)�!� :�z���* so any vowel preceding it will override it. If it is initial, it takes a �:���(� .

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

‘So he

is’

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

‘So he

is’

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

Q����C���%���� ���C���%�(�� �)�C� ���C���%�(�Y ���C���%�� � ���C���%�(�� �)�C� ���C���%�(�Y ���C���%���� Enquiry enquired So it is It is

enquired It was

enquired An enquirer So he is He is

enquiring He enquired

3.6 �,��-�����.�/� 0�1�2 �3�'�4������� �3�4��5��� ��6 (The interrogative particle in the verb sentence)

Like the noun sentence, the verb sentences can be rendered interrogative simply by intonation.

���C���Y�d�(�_ Hasan understands? (yafhamu Hasanun)

We may also place ���* or � before it

���C���D��%�P�!�~ �d�(�_ Did Hasan understand the book (afahima al-kitaaba Hasanun)

(Note that the interrogative particle goes before the verb)

To frame a question in the negative with a ��������� ����� (a verb sentence) we use ���� (not ��� ���*) for the

perfect and a� (not a ���*) for the imperfect.

���� �$�%�~ Did he not write?

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69

���C���Y a��P�!��D��% �d�(�_ ~ Does Hasan not understand the book?

An answer of �����, , confirms the negation, so that �����, and a amount to the same response

�����, Yes (he does not understand the book)

a No (he does not understand the book)

To answer in the positive, we must say L�N (yes indeed)

L�N Yes indeed (he does understand the book)

3.7 ��.��,��-�����.�/� (The interrogative noun)

There are a number of �%���a� ;<��������C���S (interrogative nouns) we may place before a ����� (sentence) to

ask what? When? Where? Why? how? and how much? They are all i"�?�.�� (indeclinable) apart from xX� .

��� �$�%� What did he write? (Note that this can also mean ‘he did not write’)

�w��� �$�%P�R What are you writing?

L�%�� �7���.� When did they grow?

�d�%�(� �d�Y� Where did you (fem. pl.) sit?

����=�, ���! Why do we read?

�I�8JK� L�& ���%�(� �w����! Why have you (masc. pl.) sat on the ground?

�/���C� �}��� How did you (masc. sing.) understand?

���C� �d�� Who understood?

�d�����C���Y �w Who understands?

�6����5 Q�N��%�� ��� How many books did you read?

(��� must be followed by an indefinite word ending in ���O�%� )

�6����5 [D��%�� xX� Which book did you read?

(xX� is a �D������ noun and works in an �����#�{ construction)

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70

7��8�1������ Vocabulary

Chapter 3

q� so fa

���n� dawn fajrun

�$�%�)�$�%�P�Y (Q��N��%�� he wrote kataba (yaktubu) kitaabatan

���N��%��)�6��N��%��( writing (f); (pl.) writings, essays kitaabatun (kitaabaatun)

�9� )�9��n�Y ( � Q��) he sat jalasa (yajlisu) juluusan

�t) � sitting juluusun

���5) ����=�Y (Q:J<����5 he read qara’a (yaqra’u) qiraa’atan

�:J<����5) J<����5�6�( reading (f) qiraa’atun (qiraa’aatun)

���C�)���C���Y (Q���C� he understood fahima (yafhamu) fahman

���C� understanding fahmun

Q�f���b ���C��� a I don’t understand anything laa afhamu shay’an

���.�)���.�P�Y ( ��.Q�� he grew (in size) kabura (yakburu) kubran

���.�)���.�P�Y (Q���.�� he grew (in age) kabira (yakbaru) kibaran

���.�� size; old age kibarun

�$�(�_)W�,WJ ( Q�N��(�_ ,Q�,��.�(�_ 1. to calculate

2. to consider ( U s.o. to be q* s.th.) *

Hasiba (yaHsibu, yaHsabu)

Hisaaban, Husbaanan

�D��(�_ calculation Hisaabun

�H��.�(�_ consideration Husbaanun

��������� ����� verb sentence (gram.) jumlatun fi⊂liyyatun

Q:�T�_��7 Q���� all at once, in one swoop jumlatan waaHidatan

������)��������( 1. verb;

2. action fi⊂lun (af⊂aalun)

���&�� 1. subject (in verb sentence) (gram.);

2. doer faa⊂ilun

�M�N ��)������) ���&����( 1. object (in verb sentence) (gram.);

2. done to maf⊂uulun bihi (mafaa⊂eelu)

[I��� ������ /� ������! ��"�#����! perfect verb / the perfect verb (gram.) fi⊂lun maaDin / al-fi⊂lu al-maaDii

������ �j�8��k�� / � ������! ��j�8��k���! imperfect verb / the imperfect verb (gram.) fi⊂lun muDaari⊂un / al-fi⊂lu al-muDaari⊂u

* U = s.o. (someone)

q* = s.th. (something)

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71

]T���%�� transitive (gram.) muta⊂addin

�S� a intransitive (gram.) laazimun

��� negative particle (before perfect verb) maa

a negative particle (before imperfect verb) laa

����&) ��h���Y (Q�������R he taught ⊂allama (yu⊂allimu) ta⊂leeman

������R) ������%�Y (Q��F���R he learned ta⊂allama (yata⊂allamu) ta⊂alluman

�T�*�� ) �T�*��n�Y (Q:�T�*��n�� e Q����C� he struggled jaahada (yujaahidu) jihadan,

mujaahadatan

���*���R) ���*���%�Y (Q���*���R they mutually understood tafaahama (yatafaahamu) tafaahuman

���&�) ������Y ( Q��E�&�{)q�N( he informed s.o. (of) a⊂lama (yu⊂limu) i⊂laaman

�}�uP�,��) �}�uP�?�Y (Q����u�P�,�� it was uncovered inkashafa (yankashifuu) inkishaafan

�T�C�%� ��) �T�C�%�n�Y (Q����C�%� �� he worked hard ijtahada (yajtahidu) ijtihaadan

�����_��) x����O�Y (Q�8������_�� it became red iHmarra (yaHmarru) iHmiraaran

���C���%����) ���C���%�(�Y (Q����C���%���� he enquired istafhama (yastafhimu) istifhaaman

���� interrogative negative particle (before perfect verb)

amaa

a� interrogative negative particle (before imperfect verb)

alaa

q�� /� �)�� future particle (before imperfect verb) sa / saufa

��� what ? maa

�w��� what ? maadhaa

L�%�� when ? mataa

�dY� where ? ‘ayna

�D��%�P�!� �dY� where is the book? ‘ayna al-kitaabu

���! why ? lima

�w����! why ? limaadha

�}��� how ? kayfa

�D��%�P�!� �}��� how is the book? kayfa al-kitaabu

�d�� �who? man

�d�� �w �who? man dthaa

�� ��!� �d�� �who is the man? mani ar-rajulu

��� �how much? kam

xX� �which? ayyu

[D��%�� xX� �which book? ayyu kitaabin

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72

Exercise 3.1 Express in English

� . �w����!����&Q�T�_��7 Q�N��%�� w��%��;K� ~

٢ .� �/�.�%;<��(A?!��d���C��7 Q����� �SEP�!� ٣ .�v��O�| �)�* �����, ~ �v��O�| �D��(�O�!� ���* ٤ .Q�N��%�� �T���O�� �$�%� ��� ٥ . �d�Y�Q:�T�_��7 Q���� �6��.�!��G!� �/�(� ~ ٦ .Q�O��O�| Q���C� �T���O�� ���C� ٧ .�%�� L �T!�)�!� ���.����.��7~ ٨ .��?������R�7 ��,�T�C�%� � �T=!�D��%�P�!� ٩ . �}��������n�!� H)�.�%�P���~ ١٠ .�T���O�� ����=�Y a ١١ .~ ���%�.�%� �w��� ~ ���%�.�%� ���� ١٢ .��.�(�O�Y �}����7 �H��.�(�O�Y a~ �H ١٣ .� ��N��%�P�!� �D�EFG!� ���5Q:�T�_��7 Q���� ����T=�! ١٤ .�d�(�_ �D��%�P�!� ���C���Y a� L�N ~ ١٥ .����C���Y �����, ~ ����n�!� �T!�)�!� e������ �v��O�1!� ���C��!��7

Exercise 3.2 Express in Arabic

1. He did (indeed) read the book

2. The woman is writing a word

3. Where did the men and women sit all at once?

4. Is the boy a student? Yes he is a new student

5. They may mutually understand

6. How did the boys read the writing all at once?

7. Reading is nice (beautiful)

8. Sitting/to sit on the ground is nice

9. Is the short sentence correct?

10. The (female) student read a correct reading

11. Why is the professor writing a new book?

12. Muhammad made a correct calculation

13. How did she sit on the ground until dawn?

14. A tall boy is sitting and reading a long book and the sun is becoming red

15. Indeed I have informed you: The verb sentence is (constituted of) a verb and a subject

16. Is it not true? Yes, we read the book and we understand the book

17. When did the students read the book, what did they read and how did they understand?

18. Are you the boys? No, we are the men

Page 100: Ibn Jabal Arabica

SUMMARY OF VERB FORMS

Form I

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�������� � ������ � ��������� ��������� ����� �������� ���� � ������ ����� �������� ����� Don’t Write! Write! Writing Written So it is It is written It was written A writer So he is He is writing He wrote

Form II

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�������� � ������ �� !������ ��"����� ����� ��"����� ������ �������� ����� �������� ��"��� Don’t

Teach! Teach!

Teaching Taught So he is It is taught It was taught A teacher So he is He is

teaching He taught

Form V

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf. Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

"������� ��� ��"����� �� #����� ��"������� ����� ��"������� �������� ���������� ����� ��"������� ��"����� Don’t

Learn!

Learn! Learning Learned So he is It is being learned It was learned A learner So he is He is learning He learned

Form III

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�� ��$�%��& �$�%��' ��(���)'�*�$�%��&��

�$�%��&�� ����� �$�%��&�� �$�%��' �$�%��&�� ����� �$�%��&�� �$�%��'

Don’t Strive! Strive! Striving Striven

against So he is He is striven

against He was

striven against A striver So he is He is striving He strove

Form VI

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

����%�+���� ���%�+�� �� �%�+�� ���%�+���� ����� ���%�+���� ���%� +�� ���%�+���� ����� ���%�+���� ���%�+�� Don’t

(mutually)

understand!

(Mutually)

understand! (Mutual)

understanding (Mutually)

understood So it is It is

(mutually)

understood It was

(mutually)

understood (Mutually)

understanding So they

are They are

(mutually)

understanding They

(mutually)

understood

Page 101: Ibn Jabal Arabica

SUMMARY OF VERB FORMS

Form IV

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�������� � ������, ���-��). ������� ����� ������� ������ , �������� ����� �������� �����, Don’t

Inform! Inform! Informing Informed So he is He is

informed He was

informed An

informer So he is He is

informing He

informed

Form VII

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

��/�0��1�� �/�0��2�� �����0���2�� �/�0��1�� ����� �/�0��1�� �/�0 ��2 � �/�0��1�� ����� �/�0��1�� �/�0��2�� Don’t

be uncovered! Be uncovered! Uncovering - So he is - - Uncovered So it is It is

becoming

uncovered It became

uncovered

Form VIII

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

��$)����&�� �$)����'�� ��(������'�� �$�����&�� ����� �$�����&�� �$)����' � �$)����&�� ����� �$)����&�� �$�����'�� Don’t work

hard! Work hard! Hard work Worked at So it is It is

worked at It was

worked at A hard

worker So he is He is

working

hard He worked

hard

Form IX

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�34� �5�� 34� �6�� ��7��4� �6�� 84� �5�� ����� 94� �5�� 34� �6�� Don’t become

red! Become red! Reddening -

- -

Reddened So he is It is becoming

red It became red

Form X

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

‘So he

is’

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

‘So he

is’

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

���)��+���:;�� ��)��+���<�� �������+���<�� �����+���:�� ����� �����+���:�� ��)��+���< � ����)��+���: ����� ��)��+���:�� �����+���<�� Don’t Enquire! Enquire! Enquiry enquired So it is It is

enquired It was

enquired An enquirer So he is He is

enquiring He enquired

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73

�������� ���� ��� Chapter 4

Government

This chapter is about Arabic syntactical society and how it is governed. The members of this society

are ������� (words) and they are divided into three classes, Regents, Subordinates and Slaves. We will

dedicate a later chapter to the Slave class. This chapter deals with Regents and their Subordinates.

The Arabic term for syntactical government is ��� ������ ��������� (lit. grammatical work or function). A

governing word or ‘Regent’ is called ������� (lit. actor) and a Subordinate is called ���� �� ������ (lit. acted

upon). Arabic syntactical society is held together by a system in which some ������� (words) govern

others and cause them to hold certain subordinate ‘ranks’. We call these ‘ranks’ � ��!���" (case). Let us

explore this notion in what we have already learned.

Review

� We know that the �#�!�$ %!�& (preposition) makes its �'(�!�)�� �*�+� (object)

end in �,�!�-. � We know that in an ��"�./��0 construction, the �#��1�� (possessed noun)

always makes the ���2��" �#��1�� (possessor) end in �,�!�- .

� We know that in a �.�2���+� �.����& (noun sentence) both the �3�4�5�6�� (subject) and

�!�6�7 (predicate) ordinarily end in �.���0 . The particle 89�" enters upon it and

makes the �3�4�5�6�� (subject) end in �.�)�5/ . The words 9� and �:�2� enter upon

it and make the �!�6�7 (predicate) end in �.�)�5/ . � We know that in the �.����&�.�2�����/ (verb sentence) the �����/ (verb) makes the

�����/ end in �.���0 and makes the ���� �� ���;�� (object) end in �.���5/ .

We can see from the above review that certain words govern or act upon others, causing them to take

on a particular vowel ending. Grammatically we say that a ������� (regent) causes its ���� �� ������ (subordinate) to have a certain � ��!���" (case) or ‘rank’ and each ‘rank’ has a �.��<�� (insignia) by way of a

vowel ending. Using a different analogy, we can think of a ������� (regent) ‘infecting’ its ���� �� ������ (subordinate) with a � ��!���" (case) or ‘virus’ and each ‘virus’ has a �.��<�� (symptom) by way of a vowel

ending.

i

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74

There are four � ��!���" (cases) or ‘ranks’ / ‘viruses’ (whichever way you want to think about it) in Arabic

and each is normally indicated by one of the three vowels or the �9 �=�+ .

�������� Normal vowel ‘insignia’

or ‘symptom’

Name given to word

of that case

���������

Case

or ‘rank’ / ‘virus’

�.���0) ?@( �B �/�!�� �C�/�'

�.���5/) ?D( � �E���� �F�E�G

�,�!�-) ?�( �'(�!�)�� H!�&

�9 �=�+) ?I( �J(�K�)�� �J�K�&

If the case of a word is �C�/�' we call it �B �/�!�� . The last letter of a �B �/�!�� word normally ends in �.���0 .

If the case of a word is �F�E�G we call it � �E���� . The last letter of a � �E���� word normally ends in �.���5/ . If the case of a word is H!�& we call it �'(�!�)�� . The last letter of a �'(�!�)�� word normally ends in �,�!�- .

If the case of a word is �J�K�& we call it �J(�K�)�� . The last letter of a �J(�K�)�� word normally ends in �9 �=�+ .

The �J�K�& case never applies to LM����+3 (nouns) and the �&H! case never applied to ������/3 (verbs).

4.1 ������������ (The Regents)

A ������� (regent) that causes another word to become �B �/�!�� is called �C�/��' and the verb referring to this

action is �C/�')�C/�!�N( (lit. to raise)

A ������� (regent) that causes another word to become �'(�!�)�� is called H'��& and the verb referring to this

action is �!�&)�!�)�N( (lit. to drag).

A ������� (regent) that causes another word to become � �E���� is called �F�O��G and the verb referring to

this action is �F�E�G)�E���N�F( (lit. to erect).

A ������� (regent) that causes another word to become �J(�K�)�� is called �J�P��& and the verb referring to this

action is �J�K�&)�J�K�)�N( (lit. to cut).

4.1.1 �C�/�!�� ������ �� (Regents that govern the �C�/�' case)

These Regents are called �C�/��') �C�/��(�'( . They make their ���� �� ������ (subordinate) �B �/�!�� which normally

ends in �.���0 .

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75

(a) The �����/ (verb) - makes the �����/ (subject) �B �/�!�� We say �����;�������;��� �C/�!�N

������� �F�5Q����5� �* The scholar wrote a book

In Arabic, every verb seeks a �����/ (subject).

The English infinitive verb that has no subject such as ‘to write’, is

often translated into Arabic using a �'�4�E�� (verbal noun) such as �.����5 .

(b) The ���3�4�5�6 (subject) - makes itself �B �/�!�� which normally ends in �.���0 .

- makes the �!�6�7 (predicate) �B �/�!�� We say ����3�4�5�6��� �C/�!�N ���!�6�R

�4�S�5�)�� �F���8T�� The student is diligent

(c) 89�" - makes the �!�6�7 (predicate) ���B �/�!

We say 89�" ��� �C/�!�N�!�6�R

89�"�4�S�5�)�� �F���8T�� Indeed the student is diligent

(d) 9� - makes the �3�4�5�6�� (subject) �B �/�!�� We say 9� � �C/�!�N��3�4�5�6��

9�Q�4�S�5�)�� �F���8T�� The student was diligent

(e) �:�2� - makes the �3�4�5�6�� (subject) �B �/�!�� We say �:�2� �C/�!�N���3�4�5�6��

�:�2�Q�4�S�5�)�� �F���8T�� The student is not diligent

4.1.2 �F�E���� ������ �� (Regents that govern the �F�E�G case)

These Regents are called �O��G�F) �F�O�� �G( . They make their ���� �� ������ (subordinate) � �E���� which

normally ends in �.���5/ .

The examples for the section above serve as examples for this section.

(a) The �����/ (verb) - makes the �� ���;������ (object) � �E���� We say ������;����� �F�E���N � ���;������

(b) 89�" - makes the �3�4�5�6�� (subject) � �E���� We say �F�E���N 89�"���3�4�5�6��

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76

(c) 9� - makes the �!�6�7 (predicate) � �E���� We say �!�6�R��� �F�E���N 9�

(d) �:�2� - makes the ���3�4�5�6 (subject) �B �/�!�� We say �:�2� �!�6�R��� �F�E���N

4.1.3 U!�)��� ������ �� (Regents that govern the �&H! case)

These regents are called H'��& . They make their ���� �� ������ (subordinate) �'(�!�)�� which normally ends in �,�!�-.

(a) A %!�& �#�!�$ or H'��& (preposition) - makes the �*�+� (noun) after it �'(�!�)�� We say ����)�'� �!�)�N �V��*�+

� ��5�=��� W�/ In the book

(b) The �#��1�� (possessed noun) - makes the �#��1�� �"���2� (possessor) �'(�!�)�� We say ����1���#� �!�)�N ����#��1�� �"���2�

�F���8T�� � ��5� The student’s book

The �#��1�� (possessed noun) is a ������� (regent) in relation to its ���� �� ������ (subordinate) the �#��1�� �"���2�

(possessor), but is itself a ���� �� ������ (subordinate) of what precedes it,

�F���8T�� � ��5� 3�!X He read the student’s book

�F���8T�� � ��5� W�/ In the student’s book

We know that the first person singular attached pronoun ?�� , when attached to an �*�+� (noun), requires

that the letter preceding it carries a �,�!�- liaison vowel. This �,�!�- occupies the place of the vowel

indicating case and prevents it from appearing so that �W����5� (my book) is �W����5� in all three cases. We

call this Y�������� ����Z�5�[� (occupation of the position).

����5��W �C�/��G My book is useful

���3�!X �W����5� I read my book

W�/�W����5� In my book

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4.2 Case and �������� words

The notion of Case only applies to � �!���� (declinable) words. HW���6�� (indeclinable) words such as �!�\����0

(pronouns), @M����+3�,�'��[D]� (demonstrative pronouns) and �5�+�V� @M����+3��S�;�J (interrogative nouns) (apart

from ��3) do not have case but are able to sit Y����� W�/ (in the place of) words with case.

4.2.1 �!�\����0 (pronouns)

The ;���� �!�\����0�.��E (detached pronouns) that we encountered in P13 and the �5�� �!�\����0�.��E (attached

pronouns) that we used in chapter 3 to conjugate most persons of the perfect and imperfect verb sit W�/Y�����C�/�' (in the place of the �C�/�' case).

(a) as �3�4�5�6���/�!�� �B (marfuu⊂

subject)

� �_�F��� He is a student

(We parse the pronoun as follows: C�/�' Y����� W/ �a�5;��� b��� HW���6�� ���E;���� �c���0’ �3�4�5�6�� ‘ )

(b) as �!�6�7 �B �/�!�� (marfuu⊂

predicate)

�f�_� �_ This is it (We parse the pronoun as follows: C�/�' Y����� W/ �a�5;��� b��� HW���6�� ���E;���� �c���0 ’ �!�6�7‘ )

(c) as �����/�B �/�!�� (marfuu⊂

subject)

�F�5 He wrote (We parse the implied pronoun � �_ as follows: �!�5�5�-�� �c���0 ... C�/�' Y����� W/ ’ �����/‘ )

�6�5�� They wrote (We parse the attached pronoun �( as follows: �� �c���0���E�5 C�/�' Y����� W/ ’ �����/‘ )

4.2.2 �,�'��[D]� @M����+3 (demonstrative pronouns)

The �,�'��[D]� @M����+3 (demonstrative pronouns) are able to sit in the place of all cases.

(d) as �3�4�5�6���B �/�!�� (marfuu⊂

subject)

��f�_ � ��5� This is a book (We parse the demonstrative pronoun as follows:

C�/�' Y����� W/ �9 �=�-�� b��� HW���6�� �,�'��[�]� �*�+� ’ �3�4�5�6��‘ )

(e) as �!�6�7 �B �/�!�� (marfuu⊂ predicate)

� �_f�_ �� It is this (We parse the demonstrative pronoun as follows:

C�/�' Y����� W/ �9 �=�-�� b��� HW���6�� �,�'��[�]� �*�+� ’ �!�6�7‘ )

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(f) as �����/�B �/�!�� (marfuu⊂ subject)

�F���8T�� ��f�_ �*�S/ This student understood (We parse the demonstrative pronoun as follows:

C�/�' Y����� W/ �9 �=�-�� b��� HW���6�� �,�'��[�]� �*�+� ’�����/‘ )

(g) As � �E���� ���� �� ���;�� (object) (manSuubun

object)

� ��5�=��� ��f�_ �*�S/ He understood this book (We parse the demonstrative pronoun as follows:

Y����� W/ �9 �=�-�� b��� HW���6�� �,�'��[�]� �*�+� F�E�G ’ ���� �� ���;��‘ )

(h) as �'(�!�)�� �*�+� (majruur object of a preposition)

� ��5�=��� ��f�_ W�/ In this book (We parse the demonstrative pronoun as follows:

��� HW���6�� �,�'��[�]� �*�+� Y����� W/ �9 �=�-�� b%!�& )

(i) as ���2��" �#��1�� �'(�!�)�� (majruur possessor)

� ��5�=��� ��f�_ �*�+� The name of this book (We parse the demonstrative pronoun as follows:

b��� HW���6�� �,�'��[�]� �*�+�%!�& Y����� W/ �9 �=�-�� ’�" �#��1�� ���2�‘ )

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4.3 ����� �� �!�� �"����#�#�� (The Diptote)

All � �!���� nouns are affected (or infected) by case and the case of a noun is indicated by the ordinary

vowel indicator for each case. However, some � �!���� nouns, while they are affected by case, are not

always able to carry the normal vowel indicator. We may thus divide � �!���� nouns into two types:

�#�!�E���� (triptote or fully declinable, lit. changeable) and �#�!�E�� �g�� �B ������ (diptote or partially

declinable, lit. forbidden from change). �#�!�E���� (triptote) nouns are those that are able to end in all

three vowels such as the word book: � �f�_� ��5 (this is a book), � �F�5Q����5 (he wrote a book) and �/ W� ��5 (in a book).

h As stated in the Preliminaries, a �g�� �B �������#�!�E�� (diptote) word can be recognised by,

1. lack of �gN� ���i , and at the same time,

2. lack of �j��

These are examples of words that are ������ �B�#�!�E�� �g�� (diptote):

�.8=�� Makkah �k�l���m Damascus @M��!���O Desert @M��'�P�( Ministers

We have been learning these words without N� ���i�g even when they are �,�!�=�G (indefinite).

h Nouns that are �#�!�E�� �g�� �B ������ (diptote), when made �'(�!�)�� (by a %!�& �#�!�$ (preposition) for

example), cannot end in the normal vowel indicator for the �'(�!�)�� case which is �,�!�-. Instead, the

�'(�!�)�� case is indicated on �#�!�E�� �g�� �B ������ (diptote) words by a �.���5/ .

�B ������ �#�!�E�� �g�� (diptote) nouns are of two types, proper noun diptotes and common noun diptotes and

there is a difference in the way they behave.

4.3.1 Proper noun diptotes

Proper nouns refer to particular things such as people and places.

h Proper noun diptotes have no �gN� ���i and no �j�� but are nevertheless always �./�!���� (definite).

N�4�� �.8=���.�� Makkah is a city (makkatu madeenatun)

h The �'(�!�)�� case on a proper noun diptote is always indicated by a �.���5/ .

We never say,

�.8=�� W�/ � �_ �

The correct expression is,

DD.8=�� W�/ � �_ He is in Makkah (huwa fi makkata)

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�� W�/ � �_DD.8=4������ He is in Muhammad’s Makkah (huwa fi makkata muHammadin)

8=�� ����&�' �*�_. They are the men of ancient Makkah (hum rijaalu makkata al-qadeemati)

Remember that D.8=�� in the above expressions is still grammatically �'(�!�)�� even though it ends in �.���5/ . In chapter 1.3 we said that a �.;�O (adjective) must agree with the ���# �O� (described noun) in ending. In

actual fact, agreement is in � ��!���" (case), not vowel ending, which is a mere �.��<�� (indicator).

If we wish to describe D.8=�� with a triptote �.;�O (adjective), we must make it �./�!���� (definite) with j��� and

�'(�!�)�� with �,�!�- so that it agrees with D.8=�� in definition and case.

� �_� .8=�� W�/�N�4q���.�� He is in ancient Makkah (huwa fi makkata al-qadeemati)

� �_� 4������ .8=�� W�/�N�4q���.�� In Muhammad’s ancient Makkah (huwa fi makkata muHammadin al-qadeemati)

8=�� ����&�'.�.���N�4q��� The men of ancient Makkah (rijaalu makkata al-qadeemati)

4.3.2 Common Noun diptotes

Common Nouns refer to classes of things rather than particular things.

Unlike proper noun diptotes, common noun diptotes can be �,�!�=�G (indefinite) and can be made �./�!���� (definite) by attaching the definite article �j�� .

�r�f�_�.���+��( @M��!���O This is a wide desert (haadthihii SaHraa’u waasi⊂atu)

�r�f�_ ���E@M��!�� ����.���+�� This is wide desert (haadthihii aS-SaHraa’u al-waasi⊂atu)

h (a) When common noun diptotes are �,�!�=�G (indefinite), they behave in the same way as proper noun

diptotes, indicating the �'(�!�)�� case with a �.���5/ instead of �,�!�-. It is important to remember that they

are still �'(�!�)�� .

.���+��( DM��!���O W�/ � �_ It is in a wide desert (huwa fi SaHraa’a waasi⊂atin)

'��6� DM��'�P�( �g�� From senior ministers (min wuzaraa’a kibaarin)

b��" 4��( 9��l�T�� From a thirsty boy (ilaa waladin ⊂aTshaana)

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DM����4�X s ���� �g�� from ancient kings (min muluukin qudamaa’a)

(b) Common noun diptotes are only considered to be �#�!�E�� �g�� �B ������ (diptote) when they are �,�!�=�G (indefinite). When they are �./�!���� (definite), they behave like normal triptote LM����+3 (nouns).

�.���+�� ��� �M��!���E�� W�/ � �_ He is in the wide desert (huwa fi al-SaHraa’i al-waasi⊂ati)

�'��6�=��� �M��'�P� ��� �g�� From the senior ministers (min al-wuzaraa’i al-kibaari)

b��"��� �4�� ����9��l�T�� To the thirstly boy (ilaa al-waladi al-⊂aTshaanui)

�M����4�q��� �s ������� �g�� From the ancient kings (min al-muluuki al-qudamaa’i)

(c) When a common noun diptote is in a definite ��"�./��0 construction, it no longer behaves like a �B �������#�!�E�� �g�� (diptote) because it is �./�!���� (definite).

�O W�/ � �_�M��!���t��!����� �.���+�� ��� He is in the wide desert of Iraq (huwa fi SaHraa’i al-⊂iraaqi al-waasi⊂ati)

���'��6�=��� �t��!����� �M��'�P�( �g From the senior ministers of Iraq (min wuzaraa’i al-⊂iraaqi al-kibaari)

�:���)�� W�/�M��'�P� ��� In the cabinet (lit. In the council of ministers) (fi majlisi al-wuzaraa’i)

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4.4 Case and $%��#�&�'��()�*���� (weak nouns)

We encountered the two types of u��5���� �*�+� (weak noun) in the Preliminaries (cf. P8). One can guess that

since it is a problem of vowel ending that makes such nouns weak, displaying vowel ending to indicate

case will be a problem in such words.

4.4.1 �' �E�q����� (The shortened)

Words such as wbj����� (meaning) are �' �E�q�� (shortened) words that are �#�!�E���� (triptote). The final

vowel does change according to case, but it is invisible. Any adjective however, will agree with its

case and take the relevant vowel ending.

Definite Indefinite

��� �f�_�b�������a2���E�� This correct meaning

�f�_�a2���O wbj����� This is a correct meaning

�B �/�!��

��� �*�S/�b�������a2���E�� He understood the correct meaning

�*�S/ Q��2���O wbj����� He understood a correct meaning

� �E����

������b�������a2���E�� With the correct meaning

��a2���O wbj����� With a correct meaning

�'(�!�)��

Words such as �x�'����O (deserts) and �b�+ �� (moses) are �' �E�q�� (shortened) words that are �g�� �B �������#�!�E�� (diptotes). This is evident in the lack of �gN� ���i . Again, the final vowel does change according to

case, but it is invisible. Any adjective however, will agree with its case and take the relevant vowel

ending.

Definite Indefinite

�E�� �W�_�x�'����.�2���)���

They are the beautiful deserts

�x�'����O �W�_�.�2���&

They are beautiful deserts

�B �/�!��

�x�'����E�� ��7�m.�2���)���

He entered the beautiful deserts

�x�'����O ��7�mQ.�2���&

He entered beautiful deserts � �E����

�x�'����E�� W�/�.�2���)���

In the beautiful deserts

W�/�x�'����O.�2���&

In beautiful deserts

�'(�!�)��

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4.4.2 ����y �q���� (The reduced)

Words such as z��� (past), m��( (valley) and B��m (caller) are �y �q���� (reduced) words that are �#�!�E���� (triptote). As explained in the preliminaries, the anomalous ending of �y �q���� (reduced) words are

arrived at in the following way,

m��( � ���m��( )�9�m��(( Remove the N@ )�g�N�m��((

As illustrated below, the final vowel only changes when it becomes � �E���� . The �B �/�!�� and the �'(�!�)�� look identical. Any adjective however, will agree with its case and take the relevant vowel ending.

Definite Indefinite

�f�_��2���)��� ���m�� ���

This beautiful valley

�f�_��2���& m��(

This is a beautiful valley

�B �/�!��

�2���)��� ���m�� ��� ��7�m He entered the beautiful valley

Q<2���& Q�Nm��( ��7�m He entered a beautiful valley

� �E����

��2���)��� ���m�� ��� W�/ In the beautiful valley

W�/�2���& m��(

In a beautiful valley

�'(�!�)��

Words such as z��'3 (lands) and 9����� (meanings) are �y �q���� (reduced) words that are �#�!�E�� �g�� �B ������ (diptotes). This is not apparent at first instance, there being no evident difference between the words m��( and z��'3 . The difference only manifests itself when it is �,�!�=�G (indefinite) and � �E���� .

Definite Indefinite

��� �W�0��'D{� �r�f�_�.�2���)

These beautiful lands

z��'3 �r�f�_�.�2���&

These are beautiful lands

�B �/�!��

��7�m��� �W�0��'D{�.�2���)

He entered the beautiful lands

��7�m �+��,�'��Q.�2���&

He entered beautiful lands � �E����

W�/��� �W�0��'D{��.�2���)

In the beautiful lands

z��'3 W�/.�2���&

In beautiful lands

�'(�!�)��

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4.5 Case and �-����.�' (verbs)

All perfect verbs are HW���6�� (indeclinable). All imperfect verbs on the other hand are � �!���� (declinable)

apart from the two feminine plurals �g�6�5�=�N and �i�g�6�5�= which are �9 �=�-�� b��� HW���6�� (fixed on sukuun) and

do not have case. The remaining imperfect verbs we learned in chapter three are of the �B �/�!�� case. The

�C�/�!�� �.��<�� (indicator of the raf⊂

case) on the �B�'��1�� �����/ (imperfect verb) is:

� �.���0 for the imperfect verbs that end in �.���0

� �9 ���� �� �6�| (affixing of the 9) for dual, masculine plural and second person feminine

singular verbs.

4.5.1 The � �E���� imperfect verb

The particle �g� (will never) negates the �B�'��1�� �����/ (imperfect verb) in the future.

h �g� is a ������� (regent) that makes a �B�'��1�� �����/ (imperfect verb) � �E���� .

The �F�E���� �.��<�� (indicator of the naSb case) on the �B�'��1�� �����/ (imperfect verb) is:

� �.���5/ for the imperfect verbs that ended in �.���0 when �B �/�!�� � �9 ���� �#�f�$ (omission of the 9) for dual, masculine plural and second person feminine

singular verbs.

As noted above, the feminine plurals �g�6�5�=�N and �g�6�5�=�i are �9 �=�-�� b��� HW���6�� (fixed on sukuun) and do not

have case so �g� cannot make them � �E���� . The 9 on these two feminine plurals is called �� �9 �G �,� �-U�

(the nun of women) and it is never omitted.

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The � �E���� of �F�5�=�N is conjugated as follows,

DRILL #6

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�����*�/�0 �!��� *

They will never write

(2)

����*�/�0 �!�� They (two) will never write

(1)

�0 �!���2�*�/

He will never write

Masc.

(6)

�!���!���*�/�0 **

They will never write

(5)

�!������*�/�3

They (two) will never write

(4)

�3 �!���2�*�/

She will never write

Fem.

Third

Person

(9)

�����*�/�3 �!��� *

You will never write

(8)

�3 �!������*�/

You (two) will never write

(7)

�3 �!���2�*�/

You will never write

Masc.

(12)

�!���!���*�/�3 **

You will never write

(11)

�!������*�/�3

You (two) will never write

(10)

�!�������*�/�3

You will never write

Fem.

Second

Person

(14)

�!���4�2�*�/

We will never write

(13)

�� �!�'�2�*�5

I will never write

Masc. First

Person

* An alif is added after omitting the nun on the masculine plurals.

** These are not � �E���� but HW���6���9 �=�-�� b��� (fixed on sukuun).

��S��7�4�G �g� ��G�"�( } ...~ And we shall never enter it …

�g��� ���S�;�i You (pl.) will never understand

4.5.2 The �J(�K�)�� imperfect verb

(a) The particle �*� (did not) is used to negate an imperfect verb. The peculiarity of �*� is that although it

negates an imperfect verb, the negation has a perfect meaning.

h �*� is a ������� (regent) that makes a�B�'��1�� �����/ (imperfect verb) �J�(�K�)�� .

The �J�K�)��� �.��<�� (indicator of the jazm case) on the �B�'��1�� �����/ (imperfect verb) is:

� �9 �=�+ for the imperfect verbs that ended in �.���0 when �B �/�!�� � �9 ���� �#�f�$ (omission of the 9) for dual, masculine plural and second person feminine

singular verbs.

As noted above, the feminine plurals �g�6�5�=�N and �g�6�5�=�i are �9 �=�-�� b��� HW���6�� (fixed on sukuun) and do not

have case so �*� cannot make them �J�(�K�)�� . The 9 on these two feminine plurals is called �,� �-U��� �9 �G (the

nun of women) and it is never omitted.

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The �J�(�K�)�� of �F�5�=�N is conjugated as follows,

DRILL #7

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�6�������*�/�0 � *

They did not write

(2)

�6������*�/�0

They (two) did not write

(1)

�6���0 �2�*�/

He did not write

Masc.

(6)

�6�� �!���*�/�0 **

They did not write

(5)

�6�� ����*�/�3

They (two) did not write

(4)

�6���3 �2�*�/

She did not write

Fem.

Third

Person

(9)

���6�����*�/�3 � *

You did not write

(8)

�6���3 ����*�/

You (two) did not write

(7)

�6���3 �2�*�/

You did not write

Masc.

(12)

�6���!���*�/�3 **

You did not write

(11)

�6������*�/�3

You (two) did not write

(10)

�6�������*�/�3

You did not write

Fem.

Second

Person

(14)

�6���4 �2�*�/

We did not write

(13)

�6���' �2�*�5

I did not write

Masc. First

Person

* An alif is added after omitting the nun on the masculine plurals.

** These are not ���J(�K�) but �9 �=�-�� b��� HW���6�� (fixed on sukuun).

�*��F�5�=�N He did not write

�� ���S�;�i �*� You did not understand

Note that �F�5�=�N �*� and �F�5 ��� bear the same meaning as do �� ���S�;�i �*� and �*�5���S/ ��� .

h The particle ���� is a sister of �*� . It too is a ������� (regent) that makes a �B�'��1�� �����/ (imperfect verb)

�J�(�K�)�� . Like �*� the particle ���� negates an imperfect verb with a perfect meaning but brings the

negation up to the present time and additionally suggests that it is imminently to happen. It may be

translated as ‘not yet but soon’.

�F�5�=�N ���� He has not yet written (but will write soon)

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(b) The negative imperative

The negative imperative is produced by placing the particle V before a �B�'��1�� �����/ (imperfect verb).

This V is called the V�S���� �J�W (lam of prohibition) and should be distinguished from the �W�;���� �JV (lam of

negation) that we encountered in chapter three.

The �W�S���� �JV (lam of prohibition) is a ������� (regent) that makes the imperfect verb �J�(�K�)�� .

It may please you to know that the imperative is only produced in the second person. This is because

commands are only addressed in the second person. We do not command ourselves or those who are

absent.

DRILL #8

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�7�����*�/�3 �

Do not write

(2)

�7�3 ����*�/

Do not write

(1)

�7�3 �2�*�/

Do not write

Masc.

(6)

�7�!���*�/�3 *

Do not write

(5)

�7����*�/�3

Do not write

(4)

�7�����*�/�3

Do not write

Fem.

Second

Person

* This is not ���J(�K�) but �9 �=�-�� b��� HW���6�� (fixed on sukuun).

The following are the masculine singular negative imperative verbs for forms II to X. The other

persons are conjugated in the same way as the verbs above.

Masculine Singular Masculine Singular Masculine Singular

�7 �3�8�9��:

Do not struggle!

III �7 �3�6()���*

Do not learn!

V �7 �3�6;)��

Do not teach!

II

�7 �3�<�=�/�� Do not be revealed!

VII �7 �3�6�)��

Do not inform! IV

�7 �3�6�9��>�* Do not mutually

understand!

VI

�7 �6�?�>�*�@�3 Do not enquire!

X �7 �3 ��#�A

Do not become red!

IX �7 �8�?�*�:�3

Do not work hard!

VIII

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88

(c) The mild positive imperative

Imperative verbs normally only occur in the second person. We do not normally command ourselves or

those absent. However, we may have occasion to say ‘let him become’ or ‘he should become’, which is

a mild positive imperative. This is achieved by placing the particle j�� before the �B�'��1�� �����/ (imperfect

verb).

h j�� is called D{� �JV�!�� (the laam of command) and is a ������� (regent) that makes the imperfect verb �J�(�K�)��

Most commonly used in the third person, it means ‘let him . . .’, i.e. ‘he should . . .’

�F�5�=�2�� Let him write/He should write

j�� may also be preceded by j/ or �( to make j��/ and j���( .

Q����5� �F�5�=�2��/ Let him write a book

The mild positive imperative is rarely used in the first person or second persons. When it is used in the

first person, it means ‘let me/I should’ or ‘let us/we should’.

�F�-�$D�{ Let me consider/I should consider

����/�:���) Let us sit/We should sit

In the second person it means ‘you . . . / you should . . .’.

�:���)�5�� You sit/You should sit

Rarely and only in poetry, the j�� may be omitted.

�:���)�i You sit/You should sit

4.5.3 The HW���6�� verb

We know that the z��� �����/ (perfect verb) and the feminine plurals of the �B�'��1�� �����/ (imperfect verb)

are HW���6�� (indeclinable).

The positive imperative verb is called �!��D{� �����/ (lit. the verb of command). The �!��D{� �����/ (imperative

verb) is HW���6�� (fixed), but it looks like a �J�(�K�)�� imperfect verb because it is produced from the �J�(�K�)�� imperfect verb. We say that it is ��� b��� HW���6���B�'��1����� ���2��� �J�K�)�N (fixed on what the imperfect verb is

made �J�(�K�)�� upon). That is, it is HW���6�� (fixed) on the indicator of the �J�(�K�)�� .

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89

We start with the �J�(�K�)�� imperfect �F�5�=�i . Then we drop the initial j�i . We are left with �F�5� . This is

essentially our �!��D{� �����/ (imperative verb). But this word begins with �9 �=�+ so we place a ���O� ��� �,�K���_ (cf. P5) at the beginning rendering �F�5�� . The ���O� ��� �,�K���_ has no �.�!�$ (vowel) of its own and any

preceding �.�!�$ (vowel) overrides it and goes directly to the first letter rendering �F�5���( .

When �F�5�� is initial, we supply a �.�6�+����� �.�!�$ (liaison vowel) on the ���O� ��� �,�K���_ . If the vowel on the

middle root letter of the verb is a �.���0 we supply a �.���0 on the ���O� ��� �,�K���_ . If the vowel on the middle

root letter of the verb is a ���5/�. or �,�!�- , we supply a �,�!�- on the ���O� ��� �,�K���_ . The �.���5/ is never

supplied on the ���O� ��� �,�K���_ of a �!��D{� �����/ (imperative verb).

DRILL #9

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�������*�5�

Write!

(2)

����*�5�� Write!

(1)

�2�*�5�� Write!

Masc.

(6)

���!���*�5

Write!

(5)

������*�5

Write!

(4)

�������*�5

Write!

Fem.

Second

Person

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

���@�)�B���

Sit!

(2)

�@�)�B���

Sit!

(1)

�C�)�B�� Sit!

Masc.

(6)

�!�@�)�B�� Sit!

(5)

��@�)�B�� Sit!

(4)

�@�)�B����

Sit!

Fem.

Second

Person

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�D�E���F���

Read!

(2)

���F��G

Read!

(1)

�'���F�� Read!

Masc.

(6)

�H�'���F�� Read!

(5)

���F��G

Read!

(4)

���I���F�� Read!

Fem.

Second

Person

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90

The following are the masculine singular imperative verbs for forms II to X. The other persons are

conjugated in the same way as the verbs above.

Masculine Singular Masculine Singular Masculine Singular

�8�9��B

Struggle!

III �6()���3

Learn!

V �6;)��

Teach!

II

�<�=�/�4�� Be revealed!

VII �6�)���'

Inform!

IV �6�9��>�3

Mutually Understand!

VI

�6�?�>�*�&�� Enquire!

X ��#�J��

Become red!

IX �8�?�*�B��

Work hard!

VIII

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91

Summary Supplement

Diptotes

����K���L�� ��� ��.���� �� �!�� �"����#�#

Recognised by: No �gN� ���i and no j���

Proper noun:

�.8=��

NormalAlways ends

in �.���5/ instead

of �,�!�-:

.8=�� W�/

Common noun:

@M��!���O

�'(�!�)�� � �E�����( �B �/�!��

Ends in �.���5/instead of �,�!�-:

DM��!���O W�/

Definite Indefinite Intrinsically Definite

�'(�!�)��� �E�����( �B �/�!��

NormalNormal:

�M��!���E�� W�/

�:����)�� W�/�M��'�P� ���

Recognised by: No �gN� ���i and no j���Recognised by: No �gN� ���i and no j���

Proper noun:

�.8=��

NormalNormalAlways ends

in �.���5/ instead

of �,�!�-:

.8=�� W�/

Common noun:

@M��!���O

�'(�!�)�� �'(�!�)�� � �E�����( �B �/�!��� �E�����( �B �/�!��

Ends in �.���5/instead of �,�!�-:

DM��!���O W�/

Definite Indefinite Intrinsically DefiniteIntrinsically Definite

�'(�!�)�� �'(�!�)��� �E�����( �B �/�!��� �E�����( �B �/�!��

NormalNormalNormal:

�M��!���E�� W�/

�:����)�� W�/�M��'�P� ���

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92

��M��N���>�#�� Vocabulary

Chapter 4

�� ���)?D (Q<���� to work

������)�������3( work

� ���G)LM����G3( direction

� ������ grammar

� ������ �f�_ b��� in this manner

�g�� � ���G... approximately

�*������� �M����G3 Y�� W�/ all over the world

��� ������ ��������� syntactical government

�������)������ ��( 1. regent (gram.)

2. factor

�������)9 �������( worker

�������)�������( labourer

���� �� ������ subordinate (gram.) (lit. acted upon)

�C/�')?D ( 1. to raise

2. to make �B �/�!�� (gram.)

�C�/�' raising

�!�&)�!�)�N (Q��!�& 1. to drag

2. to make ���'(�!�) (gram.)

H!�& dragging

�F�E�G)?� (Q�6�E�G 1. to erect

2. to make ��� �E�� (gram.)

u�����)������� � ��8<����( place

�#�!�E�G�)�g��( To depart; turn away (from) (VII)

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93

�#�!�E���� 1. One who departs; turns away

2. fully declinable (gram.)

�9��l�T��)b�[�T��( thirsty (m)

b�l�T��)���T��( thirsty (f)

�� �6�| affirmation

�9 ���� �� �6�| affixing of the nun

�g� will never

�*� did not

���� have not yet but will right now

�,� �-U��� �9 �G the nun of women

�!N�P�()@M��'�P�(( minister (m)

�,�!N�P�()����!N�P�(( minister (f)

f�73)?@ (Q�f�73 he took

�f�73 taking

��7�m)?@ (QV �7�m he entered

�� �7�m entering

� �' many (prep.)

��&�' � �' many a man (precedes verb)

�,�!��)����!��( one instance

� �',�!�� many a time (precedes verb

�F�_�)?D (Q����_� he went

� ��_� going

j�� with (prep.)

�.��<��)�����<��( indicator, sign

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94

Review Exercise 2

Express in Arabic

1. Are there sentences in the books?

2. Where are the sentences in the books?

3. This book is the door to correct knowledge

4. Is there a boy on the throne? Yes, the boy

is on the throne

5. Why did he sit in one place until old age?

6. There is a good method in the old book

7. When did the caliph read the news from the

cities?

8. Many a king sat on the ground and many a

minister sat on the throne

Review Exercise 1

Express in English

� . �*�i�3�!X ���3� ��5�=��� W�/ .����=��� ٢ .�����<�� �z�'D{� W�/ ٣ .�!���6��� b�5�$ �kN�!8T�� b��� ������6��� ���6�_� ٤ .�,�c�6 @M��!���O �t��!����� W�/ ���-�2�3 ٥ . �r�f�_ ���_�#�!�E�� �g�� �.�� ������ �.����=��� ٦ .�a2���E�� �*�S;��� �g�� �42���� ����< ٧ . UW���6������( � �!������� �g�� �F���8T�� 3�!X ,�!�� � �'

The quasi sentence �!�� � �', goes before the verb. Keep this in

mind when doing Q.8 in Review Exercise 2

Exercise 4.1.2

Express in Arabic

1. Are you from Damascus? No we are men

and women from Iraq

2. There are people from all over the world in

Makkah

3. Hasan took me to old Damascus

4. They read the writing on the door in ancient

makkah

5. Makkah is in an ancient desert

6. The strong sun in the wide desert became red

7. The meaning of the ancient word was

uncovered

8. We learned the correct meaning of the word

9. Have you worked hard in this manner in

the near past?

10. Muhammad entered a city in an ancient valley

Exercise 4.1.1

Express in English

� ..8=�� ������7�m ٢ .�k�l���m W�/ �B ������ �:2�\�!�� �g�� �J<=��� ���_ ٣ .��� ���2�� ���(3 9��� W�/ �.���N�4q��� .8= ٤ .DM������ �g�� �f�_'��6� ٥ .DM�������� �J��S�;�5�+�V� �f�_'��6� ٦ .4�$��( wbj������� �f�_ ��� ٧ .�m��S�5�&�V� b������ W�/ Q�+�'�m ����Y����3 �#� �+ ٨ ..�N� 8T�� �r��E�� b�+� �� f�73 ٩ .�!�� �*�W�0������ W�/ ���m�� ��� �f�_ �����7�m Q, ١٠ .�.�2���& 9����� �.����=��� �r�f�_ W�/

________________________________________

Exercise 4.5.2

Express in Arabic

1. They will never inform us of (�g��) their

mutual understanding

2. I have not yet understood the meaning of

this illegible (M(�!�q�� �!�2�) writing (but will soon)

3. Do not take this statement into

consideration (lit. in your consideration)

4. Let us read a word from this ancient book of ours

5. Read your books in this manner and work

hard. You will understand everything

6. It was written on the door: ‘enter and learn’

Exercise 4.5.1

Express in English

� .�W�0��'D{� �r�f�_ ��7�4�G �g� ٢ .Q���2�[ �*8����5�N �*��( �3�!�q�N �*��( ���'�4�� ���5��8���

٣ .�5�&�!�7 �g�������!�R�G �*� � �.�+�'�4����� �g�� �* ٤ .�*�=�N�4�N3 � ��/�!�i V

(a little) ٥ . Q<2��X �z�'D{� b��� �:���)����/

٦ .�J<�-���� .���N�4����� �r�f�_ � ���7�m��

٧ .�( � ��Y����( � ��8����i��&�(�4�S�5�&��( �(�4�_

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95

��������� ���� Chapter 5

Duals and Plurals

In Arabic, words may be �������� (singular), ���� � (dual) or ������ (plural).

5.1 �������� (The dual)

������ ��������������� (the marfuu⊂ dual) is produced by suffixing �� ��� (aani) to the �������� (singular).

���� �����������

They (two) are teachers

� �!"#�$�� ��� He is a teacher

% ��� &�������� (in the dual), case is not indicated by �'��(���) (vowles), but by a �*���) (letter).

�+���,��������� �-���.�/ (the � (alif) is the indicator of the �����0 case).

��������� ����1��2��� (the manSuub dual) and ���� ���������03���4�� (the majruur dual) are produced by suffixing � ��5�6 (ayn

i) to the �������� (singular). Effectively, the �� of the ��������� dial becomes �7 .

�!�8�� "#�$���5�9��

He understood two teachers

� �!�8��:��"#�$��

He understood a teacher

5���5�9��"#�$��

From two teachers

� ;!"#�$�� 5��

From a teacher

<=��9��>��4����3 �?�2��� �-���.�/ (the �7 is the indicator of �1��2��� and �03���4��)

Orthography

If an ��!�@ �������� (singular noun) ends in -A /C (taa’ marbuuTa), it changes

into a �D (taa’ maftuuHah) when the �������� (singular) is made ����� (dual).

����D��"#�$�� � �D��"#�$��A + ��� � - ��"#�$��A � F-��"#�$�� (two) teachers A teacher

i

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The �� of the ���� � (dual) compensates for its lack of �56����G . However, when the ���� � (dual) is made F-�����$�� (definite), we simply add the definite article A��� and the �� remains: ����������"#�$ and ������5�9��"#�$ for the

masculine and ���������D��"#�$ and ������5�9�D��"#�$ for the feminine.

Orthography

� Words ending in ‘ �<=�� ’ are called ��3�H���� . If a ��3�H���� is feminine and the = is

not a root letter, the = changes into a 3 when the word is made ���� � (dual)

����3����I�J � <=����I�J

This is frequently found in female names.

���� �K����3 � <=���� �K

If the word is masculine or = is a root letter, it remains.

����=��� � L=���

� For �0��2�M�� words ending in FC��3�H���� �+���N such as �9�O��� , the FC��3�H���� �+���N changes into �3 when the word is made ���� � (dual).

������9�O�� � ��9�O��

� For �0��2�M�� words ending in FC�0��2�M�� �+���N such as �A�$�� , the FC�0��2�M�� �+���N changes into �7 when the word is made ���� � (dual).

������9��$ � �A�$��

The duals of the �C�0��P�Q� <=����@�N (demonstrative pronouns) are,

Feminine Masculine

����D� / � �9�D�5 haataani / haatayni

These two

����R� / � �6�R�5 haadhaani / haadhayni

These two

�S�O��G /�S��9�G taanika / taynika

These two

�S�O��T /�S��6�T dhaanika / dhaynika

These two

i

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5.1.1 Use of the ���� � (dual)

A F-���J (adjective) describing a ���� � (dual) noun must be ���� � (dual).

�D�(�����H6�H�� ����U two new books

(a) We are not required to use the numeral ‘two’ because the ���� � (dual) conveys its meaning.

���.���0 ���� They are two men

�5�9�U��D�( &�� In two books

�5�9�D���#�( �N���V He read two words

We may place the number two, �����W (m) and ��W�D��� (f) which is itself a dual as a F-���J (adjective) after a

��!�@ (noun) to emphasise it.

�����W� ����U��D�( two books

�5�9�U��D�( &���W� �5�9� In two books

�5�9�D��W� �5�9�D���#�( �N���V He read two words

(b) For things that always come in twos, the ���� � (dual) must be used.

�����9�/����D�#9���� two beautiful eyes

�5�9��9�$��� ����X �5�9�#��>��� �5�� From the feet to the eyes

(c) A F-���J (adjective) describing two singular nouns is usually ����� (dual).

��Y�2�� �Z��[����3 �H�������\��� The small boy and girl

Rather than,

��C�\�Y�2�� �Z��[����3 �\�Y�2�� �H������ The small boy and the small girl

A ����� �!�@ � (dual noun) may be described �U�5�9�G�������� �5�9�D���2 (by two singular adjectives).

�\�Y�2���3 �\�[�]��� �5�9�U��D�]��� �N���V He read the two big and small books

(lit. He read the two books. The big one and the

small one)

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5.2 ������� (The plural)

There are three types of ������ (plural) in Arabic:

1. �\� �]�D�� ������ (the broken plural)

2. ��!���� �� ��_(�R����� �����4�� (the sound masculine plural)

3. ������4�� �!���� �� � �O�a����� (the sound feminine plural)

5.2.1 �\� �]�D�� ������ (The broken plural)

The �\� �]�D�� ������ (broken plural) breaks the construction of the �������� (singular) by interpolating,

dropping letters and/or changing the vowels:

A�9�U��' � �Z�9�U �(�D�? � A�D�(��1

Most of the ������� (plurals) introduced in the vocabulary lists so far are �\� �]�D�� ������ (broken plural).

5.2.2 ��!���� �� ��_(�R����� �����4�� (the sound masculine plural)

����!���� �� ��_(�R����� �����4 (the sound masculine plural), like the ���� � (dual) is produced from the �������� (singular).

% &�������4���_(�R����� ���!���� �� (in the sound masculine plural), case is not indicated by �'��(���) (vowles), but

by a �*���) (letter).

The ��������� sound masculine plural is produced by suffixing –< �3�� to the �������� (singular).

�!� ��"#�$�����

They (two) are teachers

� ��� �!"#�$��

He is a teacher

�3�������������� �-���.�/ (the �3 is the indicator of the �����0 case). The �� of ��!���� �� ��_(�R����� �����4�� (the sound

masculine plural) compensates for its lack of �56����G .

The �1��2��� and �03���4�� sound masculine plural is produced by suffixing –� �6�5 to the �������� (singular).

Effectively, the �3 of the ��������� dial becomes �7 .

<=��9��>��4����3 �?�2��� �-���.�/ (the �7 is the indicator of �1��2��� and �03���4��)

�!�8�� �5�9��"#�$��

He understood teachers

� �!�8��:��"#�$��

He understood a teacher

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5���5�9��"#�$��

From teachers

� ;!"#�$�� 5��

From a teacher

The �� compensates for the lack of �56����G on ��!���� �� ��_(�R����� �����4�� (the sound masculine plural). However,

when ��!���� �� ��_(�R����� �����4�� (the sound masculine plural) is made F-�����$�� (definite), we simply add the

definite article A��� and the �� remains: ��������"#�$�� .

��!���� �� ��_(�R����� �����4�� (the sound masculine plural) is indicated in the dictionary by ‘pl. – nū ’ and will

henceforth be indicated in the vocabulary lists by (��3).

% ��!���� �� ��_(�R����� �����4�� (the sound masculine plural), apart from a few exceptions, is used only for ��_(�R�� (male) human beings.

(a) If a noun or adjective for a male human being has a �\� �]�D�� ������ (broken plural), the ��R����� �����4�� ��_(�!���� �� (sound masculine plural) is not normally used. The plural of Fc���0 is Fd����0 , not ����#���0 .

There are, however, a few exceptions to this. There are �\� �]�D�� ������ (broken plurals) for Fc�9�#�V and �\���(

and �?6���V and �H9�$�U , but ����#�9�#�V , �\���(��3 , ����[6���V and ��3�H9�$�U are also possible.

"#�$�� ������D���e� &�� ������(���� / �0����( /�\���(��3 There are many teachers in the meeting

����$�U �!� /��3�H9�$�U�5�/ >f�Ig��� They are far from the truth

(b) There are a number of words that do not refer to ��_(�R�� (male) human beings, but form a ������

(plural) using � ��3< . We may annex them to ��!���� �� ��_(�R����� �����4�� (the sound masculine plural).

Plural using –� ��� Broken Plural Singular

/�N�h�#� ����#� �N ;d�� �N Fc� �N Folk

���������/ /�h������/ �!������/ �!����/ World

����i�0�N /�h�i�0�N ;j��0�N �j�0�N Land

�����@ /�h��@ �'�����@ F-��@ Year

�����U / �h��U L=���U�N ��5�U Son

��5�U) �����U( does refer to male human beings but is placed in this list because the singular is broken to

produce the plural so it is not ‘sound’.

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The Opening

The opening verse of the Quran,

‘Praise belongs to Allah, The Lord of the worlds’

��h������$��� >1�0 �m_#�� �H���I��

>1�0 agrees with �m_#�� because it is a Fd�H�U (substitute) for it. In English we call

this apposition. It is as though we are saying, ��h������$��� >1���� �H���I�� .

A Fd�H�U (substitute) or appositional word is normally interchangeable with the

word it is appositional to:

‘I saw your brother, Hasan’ � ‘I saw Hasan, your brother’.

5.2.3 ��!���� �� � �O�a����� �����4�� (The sound feminine plural)

��!���� �� � �O�a����� �����4�� (the sound feminine plural) is produced by suffixing –���' to ����������� (the singular). If

the singular ends in -A /C , this is dropped.

�'��]�#�� � A�]�#�� +�'� � F-A A�]�#�� � F-�]�#�� Queens A queen

In ��!���� �� � �O�a����� �����4�� (the sound feminine plural) case is indicated by ordinary vowels.

The ��������� is indicated by F-���i .

�5� ��"#�$���'�

They are teachers (f)

� �&� ��"#�$��F-

She is a teacher

% When ��!���� �� � �O�a����� �����4�� (the sound feminine plural) is �1��2��� it is indicated by FC��� �( instead of �I�D��F- .

Here, ��?�2��� �-���.�/ �C��� �]�� (the kasra is the indicator of �1��2���). This is because the ��!���� �� � �O�a����� �����4�� (the sound feminine plural) is never able to end in F-�I�D�� .

�!�8�� ��"#�$��;'�

He understood teachers (f)

� �8���! ��"#�$��:-

He understood a teacher (f)

i ��������

;-�#���� �m[�Pattached to

elliptical ���[�n

FN�H�D�[�� ���������

�*��o���03���4��

�*��o�� �m�9���X �03���4��

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101

�Z�9�[��� ����X �'��H6�H�4��� �'���[��� �T��D�@<,� � �$�U The teacher sent the new girls home

The ���03���4 is indicated by FC��� �( .

�5�� ��"#�$��;'�

From teachers (f)

� �5�� ��"#�$��;-

From a teacher (f)

������4�� �!���� �� � �O�a����� (the sound feminine plural) is indicated in the dictionary by ‘pl. –at’ and will

henceforth be indicated in the vocabulary lists by ( ��' ).

% (b) ��!���� �� � �O�a����� �����4�� (the sound feminine plural) applies to F �O�a�� (feminine) human beings, and also

to many �'����J�3 L=����@��N (nouns and adjectives) that refer to ��_(�R�� (masculine) and F �O�a�� (feminine) non-

human beings.

As a general rule, singular �'����J�3 L=����@��N (nouns and adjectives) that end in -A /C and are feminine

take ��!���� �� � �O�a����� �����4�� (the sound feminine plural). You should assume this to be so unless otherwise

indicated.

(c) ��!���� �� � �O�a����� �����4�� (the sound feminine plural) is sometimes used for _(�R���� (male) human beings as

������4��� ������ (plural of plurals), although this is rare.

Fd����0 Men

�0�'�e��� Important men, leading personalities

�p�#���0 �'�e����H�#�[��� �c� �N �p�#�4����� &�� The leaders of the townspeople (lit. people of

the town) sat in the council

% (d) As we have noted before, all ;c�V��/ ���9�q (irrational) ������� (plurals) are considered to be

grammatically ��������F �O�a�� (feminine and singular). Any Fd��$���N �'����J�3 ���r����i�3 (verbs, pronouns and

adjectives) referring to such ������� (plurals) are therefore ��������F �O�a�� (feminine singular).

�� �Z�[� �T����> The years have gone

F-�[�$�J �s��#�/ �&� They are difficult sciences

� �p9�r���� ���o�) �c� :C���9���( ;'��/����D�� Did the president attend many meetings?

In the last example above, ‘ �;'��/����D�� ’ is �1��2��� �m�U Fd��$���� (a manSuub object) but because it is a � �����4���!���� �� � �O�a����� (sound feminine plural), it is unable to end in F-�I�D�� so it ends in FC��� �( instead. :C���9���( is its

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102

F-���J (adjective), so it is also �1��2��� but in the normal way with F-�I�D�� because it is �������� (singular) and

not ��!���� �� � �O�a����� �����4�� (sound feminine plural).

5.3 ����� � �!��"��������� ����� (Possession involving the dual and plural)

5.3.1 �X�-����i � �O�a����� �����4����3 �\� �]�D�� �������!���� �� (possession involving the broken plural and the sound

feminine plural) behaves no differently �5���X�-����i����������� (from possession of the singular).

� �'��9�U�d���>�� The houses of the men

� �'��/����D�������"#�$���'� The gatherings of the teachers (f)

5.3.2 Duals and Sound masculine plurals as �*��o�� �X�m�9�� (possessor) .

_t�� �1��D�(��5�9�[�� The book of the (two) students

�( �u��(�� �u���0��P �?�D�5�9�D�6�H�� �-�2�V Charles Dickens wrote ‘A tale of two cities’

��� �1��D�(�h��"#�$�� The book of the teachers

5.3.3 Duals and Sound masculine plurals as �*��o�� (possessed nouns).

We know that the �*��o�� (possessed) always loses its �56����G . A �56����G is in fact a � (nun) that is

pronounced but not written. �Z�9�U , if written as it is pronounced, is �5�D�9�U . Therefore, when we drop the

�56����G of the �*��o�� (possessed), we are in fact dropping an unwritten � (nun).

The � (nun) of ��������� (the dual) and ��!���� �� ��_(�R����� �����4�� (the sound masculine plural) compensates for

the loss of �56����G . For this reason, when ��������� (the dual) or ��!���� �� ��_(�R����� �����4�� (the sound masculine

plural) is a �*��o�� , the � (nun) is dropped.

_t��� ��U��D�(�?��� The two books of the student

Pronunciation

Note that there is �<=��M�D�� ��5�9��(�� � here: �t��� ���U��D�(�?��� . This is

avoided not by a liaison vowel, but by not pronouncing the �� so that it sounds like the �1��2��� singular: �t��� �1��D�(�?��� . The

i

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103

listener deduces the fact that it is a dual from context. The �� is nevertheless written so the reader can distinguish it from

the singular.

� &�U��D�( &�� _t���?��� In the two books of the student

Pronunciation

Note that there is �<=��M�D�� ��5�9��(�� � here: �U��D�(�&�t��� �?��� . This is

avoided by placing a FC��� �( liaison vowel on the 7 .

��6�K����� �5�U� ���"#�$�� The teachers of the minister’s son

( �<=��M�D�� ��5�9��(�� � is avoided by pronouncing it like the singular: �5�U� �!"#�$��)

�Z� �#�� �!�6���� ���� &��"#�$�� �-�@�0�H����� Maryam sat with the school teachers

( �<=��M�D�� ��5�9��(�� � is avoided by pronouncing it like the singular: �-�@�0�H����� �!"#�$�� ����)

5.3.4 The first person singular pronoun ��7 as �*��o�� �X�m�9�� (possessor) of a dual and sound masculine plural.

(a) On a dual, we have the following

����D�6���V �7�.���0 My (two) legs are strong

�5�9�D�6���M��� �&�#���0 ��#�/ On my two strong legs

�&�#���0( � �&�#���0 +�7 � �&�#���0 + �7� � ) �5�9�#���0 + �7� (4) (3) (2) (1)

(b) When ��7 is attached to �!���� �� ��_(�R����� �����4��� (the sound masculine plural), the 3 of the ��������� chages

to 7 . This change occurs between stages 3 and 4 in the example below so that we say �&��"#�$�� rather

than �7����"#�$�� . The change is made for euphonic harmony.

�&��"#�$�� �!� They are my teachers

�&��"#�$��( � &��"#�$�� +�7 � ����"#�$�� +�7 � ����"#�$�� +�7� � )� ����"#�$�� +�7�

(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)

When �1��2��� and �03���4�� , it is again �&��"#�$�� .

�&��"#�$�� �5�� /�&��"#�$�� �R�n�N From my teachers / He took my teachers

�&��_#�$��( � �&��"#�$�� +�7 � �&��"#�$�� + �7� � )�h��"#�$�� +�7�

(4) (3) (2) (1)

�7�.���0( � �.���0 +�7 � �.���0 +�7� � )���0 ���. +�7� (4) (3) (2) (1)

i

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104

DRILL #10

Summary Supplement

Duals and Plurals

�� �#�$�� %�!��������� ��������

Sound Feminine

Plural

Sound Masculine

Plural Dual Singular

�5� �'���"#�$�� They are teachers (f)

�����"#�$�� �!� They are teachers (m)

���� �����"#�$�� They (two) are teachers

��� �!"#�$�� He is a teacher ���������

�!�8��;'���"#�$�� He understood

teachers (f)

�!�8���h��"#�$��

He understood

teachers (m)

�!�8���5�9��"#�$�� He understood (two)

teachers �!�8��:��"#�$��

He understood

a teacher �1��2���

�5��;'���"#�$�� From teachers (f)

�h��"#�$�� 5��

From teachers (m)

5���5�9��"#�$�� From (two) teachers

;!"#�$�� �5�� From a teacher ���03���4

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105

��������� ���� � Chapter 6

Numbers One to Ten

6.1 Zero

The Arabic word for zero is ������ and is written as a dot ٠ . It is not used on its own to count anything.

6.2 One

Most arabic numbers have a ������ (masculine) and ������� (feminine) form. When stating the number

one isolated, the ������ (masculine) is used.

�������� Feminine

�������� Masculine

��������

Number

�������� ������� ١

6.2.1 We have used ������� ( �������� (f)) as a ���� (adjective).

������� ������� One book

������� ��������� ������� Muhammad has one book (lit. One book belongs to Muhammad)

���!�"#��� �������� �$#%�& Mary has one daughter

In the above examples, both ������� and �$#%�& are singular nouns so they do not require ������� and ��������

after them to express their singularity. ������� and �������� serve as emphasis.

(a) ������� may also be used as a ���'�( (predicate) .

�)�*������� He / it is one

�+�* �������� She / it is one

6.2.2 ����, (one) is an alternative to ������� . It is an ��!#- (noun) and cannot be used as a ���� (adjective).

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106

�)�*����, He is one

The feminine of ����, is .��#��/ but .��#��/ cannot be used on its own in this way.

�+�*.��#��/ �

(a) ����, used on its own often to means ‘someone’ , ‘anyone’ or when negated, ‘no one’.

������0��� ����, �!�12 �3�* Did anyone understand the book?

��� 4��/ 5����, ��6�& �3�*��7�' Did he send anyone to the town?

����, �8�*9 ��� No one went

6.2.3 There are three ways of expressing ‘one of …’. For example, to say one of the houses we may say:

1. �:)�;�'��� �<�� ������� 2. �<�� ����,�:)�;�'���

3. ����,�:)�;�'���

The latter two are better expressions in Arabic.

1. #<�� �������...

������� ��� �<�� �>��?@%

One of the women

�A��B@��� �<�� �������

One of the men

We cannot use ������� or ������� � in an C�2��D�/ (possession)

�������C��� �>��?@% � ������� �A��B@��� �

2. ����,�<�� ...

�#��/E. �� �<���>��?@% �

One of the women

����,�<�� �A��B@���

One of the men

Note that the above structure cannot be used for the feminine

3. ����, +�G;��/ �H��I��

�>��?@%�� .��#��/ One of the women

�A��B@��� ����, One of the men

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107

6.3 Two

�������� Feminine

�������� Masculine

Case ��������

Number

�J����%�K� �J��%�K� �L)C2#���

�%�K��<#;�� �<#;�%�K� ��)�M#%�� and

�N���#O��

٢

As the table above illustrates, the number two in Arabic is �J��%�K� (m) / �J����%�K� (f) when �L)C2#��� and �<#;�%�K� (m) /

�<#;���%�K� (f) when ��)�M#%�� and �N���#O�� . In short the PQ�J� ending changes to PQ�<#" .

��J��%K may be used on its own as a ���'�( (predicate).

�J��%�K� ����* / �J����%�K� They are two

‘ ��K#<�� �J��%... ’ renders ‘two of …’.

� ���I���K�ST2 �>��N�U�)��� �<�� �J��% Only two (of the) ministers attended

� �:,��V�K�� �<�� �J����%&����� �>��?@%5� Two of the women read a book

#;�%K� �(,��� �<�� �<�8��C0 He took two of the books

�K� 3�(�W#;���%QX� �<�� �<�N�#+�D He entered two of the lands

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108

6.4 Three to Ten

�������� Feminine

�������� Masculine

��������

Number

YK �K ZYK ٣

��6�&#N, �[�&#N, ٤

��?#��( �\#��( ٥

����- ]$�- ٦

��6#'�- �[#'�- ٧

��;�����K �J���K ٨

��6#?� �[#?� ٩

����_� ��#_� ١٠

�J���K is a �a)CT#%�� word and behaves the same way as �W��� . The feminine ��;�����K behaves normally.

6.4.1 When standing alone, the feminine numeral is used

�W���# QX� ����)��� ,��V : ������� , �J��%�K� , �KYK , ��6�&#N, The boy read the numbers: one, two, three, four

Numbers are written from left to right.

٥٣٩٦ 5, 396

6.4.2 Counting between three and ten

d When counting between three and ten the �W��� (number) exhibits reverse gender agreement or ‘gender

disagreement’ with the �W������ (singular) of the �W���#6�� (counted noun). The thought process is as follows:

Suppose we want to say ‘three houses’. The �W���#6�� (counted noun) we shall use is �:)�;�& . Should we use

the maculine numeral ZYK or the feminine �KYK ? To answer this, we need to look at the counted noun

(�:)�;�&) and find its singular (�$#;�&). This is masculine so we need to use the numeral that disagrees with

it, the feminine �KYK .

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109

(a) There are two ways of saying ‘three houses’:

1. ���� (adjective) + ��!#- (noun)

�KYK �:)�;�&

2. indefinite �2��D�/ construction:

�:)�;�& C�KYK

Here are some further examples:

�We#�, �KYK �We#�, C�KYK Three boys

�:��%�& ZYK �:��%�& CZYK Three girls

�f)C7�� ����- �f)C7�� C����- Six kings

�:�0�7�� ]$�- �:�0�7�� g$�- Six queens

'��C� �8���5�5��;�����K 5���"���B �������"���B �8��C� ��;�����K �8 He wrote eight

new books

�:����7� ,��V ;�����K5�5�7"�)h ��7"�)h �:����7� �+�����K ,��V He read eight

long words

���!�"#����:��%�& �J���K �:Y;���B ���!�"#����:Y;���B �:��%�& +�����K Mary has eight beautiful daughters

(b) If we make these expressions definite, we have the following

����'�:)�; ���iC�KY

The three houses

C�KYK����:)�;�' Three of the houses

We can also express this as

] �<�� �KYK ����:)�;�'

Note that when we make both of these expressions definite, we are no longer counting.

Here are some further examples:

�8�������8��C0 ���i��;����� ������"���O

He wrote the eight new books

��;�����K �8�������8��C0 �������"���O/

5��;�����K �8����<�� ����8��C0 �������"���O

He wrote eight of the new books

,��V����:����70�� �i�+����� ���j�7"�)

He read the eight long words

�+�����K ,��V����:����70 ���j��7"�)/

;�����K ,��V�<�� 5� ����:����70 ���j��7"�)

He read eight of the long words

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110

6.5 One hundred and One thousand

�k��� (١٠٠, one hundred) and �l��, (١٠٠٠, one thousand) also work in an �2��D�/ construction.

d However, the �W���#6�� (counted noun) remains singular and there is no gender agreement.

������� C�k��� One hundred books

C�k������C0���8 A hundred of the books

�����7� C�k��� One hundred words

������� �l��, A thousand books

�����7� �l��, A thousand words

��k��� C�k��� A hundred hundreds

�l��, C�k��� A hundred thousand

��k��� �l��, A thousand hundreds

�l��,�l��, A thousand thousands

6.5.1 To count in hundreds and thousands between three and ten, we simply treat �k��� and �l��, as the �W���#6�� (counted noun). The rules of gender disagreement for counting between three and ten apply. �k��� is

feminine so we will always use the masculine numeral for it and �l��, is masculine so we will always

use the feminine numeral for it. Anomolously, m�� � remains singular when it is the �W���#6�� (counted noun)

but.

CZYKm���� Three hundred

�Hen C�KYK Three thousand

m���A��B@��� �<�� �:� Hundreds of men

�Hen �>��?@%�� �<�� Thousands of women

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111

������������� Vocabulary

]+�'��) p>��;�'#�, ,J�( prophet nabiyyun (anbiyaau, nabiyyuuna)

�!�7�)PQ (5���7� he knew ⊂alima (ya⊂lamu) ⊂ilman

�!�7�)�r)C7�( knowledge; science ⊂ilmun (⊂uluumun)

�!s7�6��)J�( teacher (m) mu⊂allimun (uuna)

���s7�6��)�:�( teacher (f) mu⊂allimatun (mu⊂allimaatun)

�8�*9)PQ (5�&��*9 he went dhahaba (yadhhabu) dhahaaban

����*9 going dhahaabun

�8#6��)����6��( difficult Sa⊂bun (Si⊂aabun)

���I��)Pp (5�N)�I�� he attended HaDara (yaHDuru) HuDuuran

�N)�I�� attendance HuDuurun

� �J��%�K /��J����%�K two (m/f) ithnaani / ithnataani

�KYK three thalaathatun

��6�&#N, four arba⊂atun

��?#��( five khamsatun

����- six sittatun

��6#'�- seven sab⊂atun

��;�����K eight thamaaniyatun

��6#?� nine tis⊂atun

����_� ten ⊂asharatun

�k���)�:�m��( one hundred mi’atun (mi’aatun)

�l��,)�Hen( one thousand alfun (aalaafun)

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112

t>���) �u��)#�, ,�u��;��( water maa’un (amwaahun, miyaahun)

5�v��B very jiddan

� �!��) �!����)� ,J�( world ⊂aalamun (⊂awaalimu, ⊂alamuuna)

��%�-)�:��)�%�- w J)�%�-( year sanat (sinuuna, sanawaatun)

5�I#", also ayDan

��6�&)PQ (5�i#6�& he sent ba⊂atha (yab⊂athu) ba⊂than

�#6�& Sending ba⊂thun

�W���)�W���# ,( number ⊂adadun (a⊂daadun)

�W���#6��) J� ,�:�( 1. counted

2. limited; numbered ma⊂duudun (uuna, aatun)

�ST2 only faqaT

�!����-) J� ,�:�( sound saalimun (uuna, aatun)

3#*,) �A��*, ,J�( people, folk ahlun (ahaalin , uuna)

�x#N,)�x��N, , J)�D�N,( earth, land, ground arDun (araaDin, araDuuna)

�T;�V�W)�y�k�V�W( minute daqeeqatun (daqaa’iqu)

�y;�V�W) J� ,�:�( precise daqeequn (uuna, aatun)

�� ��-)�:�( hour saa⊂atun (saa⊂aatun)

�L)�'#-C,)�[;�&��-,( week usbuu⊂un (asaabee⊂u)

�z ��#1)�N)�1�z���1#z, w ( month shahrun (shuhuurun , ashhurun)

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113

Exercise 6.1 Express in English

)�(

{ .| ����, ���I�� �3�* ٢ . #!�6�� ,�<#"��"�U�)��� ����, ���I�� ٣ .�<#;�;�-#�C� 47� ���-�N#������ ��'���h �\7�B ٤ . �������- �L)���B �+�* ٥ .�8��C0��� ��6�&#N, ٦ .�3T�6��� �:��6�-��� �:��%�& �<�* ٧ .�N)�1�z ���6#?� +�2 �A��B@���� �<�� �Hen C�KYK ���I� ٨ .| ���@?�� �8��C0��� ���Y}j�� �<�� ����, ,��V �3�* ٩ .��"���B �!#-� �k��� C9���#-pX� ,��V ١٠ .�j�V �l��, �<�?� ���x#NQX� �<�� ���6

)�(

{ .~ �:��'@;�j7�� J)�'@;�j���� �)24:26( ٢ .J����i� p>��N�U�� �\�7#O����� +�2 ٣ . p �� ��6�&�������6�7�� 5���#��N 5����� ���� 3;�k���#-�/ +�%�& 4��/ 4�-#)�� ٤ .� �:�� �����#B� �>��N�U�)��� ����, ���I��5�7"�)h 5����i ٥ . �W����A��B@��� +�2 �>��N�U�)��� �\�7#O������ 5�v��B ���i� p>��?@%�ST2 ZYK ٦ .�:��)�%�- +�����K +�2 �8��C� ��;�����K C9���#-pX� �8��� ٧ .�x#NQX� +�2 ����0�� �!����6�7�� ٨ .����V �l��, ��#1�z �l��, +�2

�H#��M�� �<�� �J���� )�%#��� �J������7� ‘�y#_���W’ �� ‘p>���7� ’ ٩ .

١٠ .5�I#", ����"���O��� �8��C0��� +�2�� 5�v��B ����i� �r)C7� ������T��� �8��C0��� +�2 ١١ .�y�k�V�W +�����K +�2 �3���B �+�����K �8��� ١٢ .�:���s7�6����� .��#��/ #:,��V���Y}j7�� ��'@;�j�� �N��'#(QX� ١٣ .�ST2 �����%�K� ����7#��B �8���

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114

Exercise 6.2

Express in Arabic

(A)

1. Did anyone sit on the chairs?

2. Yes, one of the girls sat on a chair.

3. He read two of the books.

4. Hasan has limited wealth (pl.).

5. They are many men.

6. They are new (f) teachers.

7. The student read the professor’s two books for three hours.

8. In the nine months.

9. He wrote a hundred words in eight minutes.

10. Noah (��)��) was on the earth for a thousand years.

(B)

1. They entered the two houses of the king.

2. Three students went to Damascus for knowledge.

3. Does Hasan know the good news too?

4. Did any of the presidents attend?

5. No, only two ministers attended.

6. Hasan read the two old and new books in two hours.

7. Hasan has very strong feet.

8. Muhammad goes to the important men of Makkah.

9. Mary has three boys and three girls.

10. The teacher sent the two boys home.

11. She read difficult sciences in many long years

12. A hundred (f) students went in one fell swoop

13. The student read one of the words in the sentence

14. He wrote many beautiful words in the book

15. The (f) student read seven of the new books in addition

to the many old books in only four weeks.

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��������� ���� � Chapter 7

The Five Nouns

There are five �������� (nouns) in Arabic that require special attention. These are called ������ ��� ���������� (the five nouns).

�� (5) ���� (4) ���� (3) ��� (2) ��� (1)

Possessor of Mouth Brother-in-law Brother Father

�� is slightly different from the other four so we will treat it separately.

7.1 ���� , ���� , ���� and ����

��� , ��� , ���� and ���� behave like ordinary nouns when they are not ������ (possessed nouns) in an !�����"#$ construction.

#%�&�'���(#� ��� �(�) He is a father to two boys

�*�)���+� #������ #���� He went to the father and the brother

� �%�,#���� Nephew (lit. brother’s son)

- When they are ������ (possessed nouns) in an !�����"#$ construction, their case is indicated by ����.��

(letters) not vowels.

�/(��.� is indicated by � not 0

��(�1�2� is indicated by � not 3 �4��.�5� is indicated by 6 not 7

���� loses its 8 as illustrated in the table below. ���� can also behave like an ordinary noun with case

indicated by vowels, as indicated by the alternative given below.

���� ���� ��� ���

(� / ���� (���� (�:� (�,� �/(��.�

��� / ���� ����� ��:� ��,� ��(�1�2�

;#� / #��� ;#��� ;#:� ;#,� �4��.�5�

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116

�/(��.� indicated by �

�(�)�����<.�=�, He is Abu Bakr

�(�)������> He is his father

��#?�� ����� <%���� Hasan’s brother understood

��� #'���(��� /����#'���(��� The boy’s mouth

��(�1�2� is indicated by �

�'@��A� �B�:������#��2&#'����� C��#$ <.�=�, Muhammad took Abu Bakr to Madinah

�D��#?�������<%���� I understood Hasan’s brother

�D��#?��������E I understood your brother

<��A�� ��F�G#H �D�I�:�J���#'���(��� / ���� #'���(��� A piece of meat entered the boy’s mouth

�4��.�5� is indicated by 6

�+� �'@��A� �K�I�L������=�, <. Muhammad sat with Abu Bakr

C��#$ �D�M�N�O�����<%���� I wrote to Hasan’s brother

C��#$ �D�M�N�O�������� I wrote to our brother

;#����#'���(��� /���� #'���(��� In the boy’s mouth

7.1.1 When ���� �P#�@����#J�.�Q����� #�RI�=�N���I#� S#1@N (the first person singular attached pronoun) T#6 is attached, the long

vowel is not imported. ;#,� (my father) for example, remains ;#,� in all three cases.

;#,� �(�) / ;#:� /;#��� He is my father / brother / brother-in-law

�D��#?�� ;#,� / ;#:�/;#��� I understood my father / brother / brother-in-law

;#,� �%# / ;#:� /;#��� From my father / brother / brother-in-law

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117

‘My mouth’ is expressed as @;#� in all three cases.

��B�) @;#� /;#��� This is my mouth

@;#� �S�:�J /;#��� It entered my mouth

@;#� ;#� /;#��� In my mouth

7.1.2 The U2�V� WC (duals) are as follows:

�#X��(�,�� The (two) parents

#X��(�:� ����) They are two brothers

#%�&�(�,��� �%# From the (two) parents

#X��(���� Two brother in laws

#X����� Two mouths

When ���� �P#�@��������� #�RI�=�N���I#� S#1@N#J�.�Q (the first person singular attached pronoun) T#6 is attached to the

dual, we have the following.

�6��(�,� ����) They are my parents

@6�(�,� �%# From my parents

7.1.3 The plurals of called ������ ��� ���������� (the five nouns) behave like ordinary �������� (nouns).

#J�Y����� ����,Z ���) They are the fathers of the children

�B�:� #[� �\�(�:#D�]�M��� C��#$ He took the brothers home

#\�B#������ #>��(��� �%# �8�_�=��� �B�:� He took the statement from the professors’ mouths

���&�.� �������� ���) They are Maryam’s brother in laws

�6��(�,�( � ��(�,� +�6 � ��(�,� +T6# � ) #X��(�,� +T6# (4) (3) (2) (1)

@6�(�,�( � �6�(�,� +�6 � �6�(�,� +T6# � ) #%�&�(�,� + T6# (4) (3) (2) (1)

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118

7.2 ���

The fifth word, �� , meaning ‘possessor of’ is only ever used as ������ in an !�����"#$ construction.

The dual ����� was originally a regular dual, #X����� when �/(��.� and �&����#% when ��(�1�2� and �4��.�5� . Since it

is only ever used as ������ in an !�����"#$ construction, the #X permanently drops.

The plural ����� was originally a regular dual, ������X when �/(��.� and #���&�% when ��(�1�2� and �4��.�5� .

Since it is only ever used as ������ in an !�����"#$ construction, the �X permanently drops.

The plural ����� has an alternative form (�� . The first � of (�� is not pronounced so it sounds like ‘ (� ’ .

The following table illustrates the forms of ��

DRILL #11

�+���L

Plural

WCU2�V�

Dual

�J�.�Q�

Singular

����� / (�� ����� �� �/(��.�

6#��� /;#�� �6���� ��� ��(�1�2�

6#��� / ;#�� �6���� 6#� �4��.�5�

7.2.1 �� behaves like a !\�.#=�c (indefinite) adjective:

Singular:

�(�) !S�L�4 ���<d�� He is a rich man (lit. he is a ‘much-of-wealth’ man)

� S�L@.� ���<P#V�O <d�� The man possesses much wealth / is rich

e_�L�4 �B�:� ��� C��#$ <d�� ���#D�]�M He took a rich man home

<S�L�4 �+� �K�I�L ���<d�� He sat with a rich man

Dual:

����) #X�_�L�4 �����<d�� They are two rich men

�S�:�J #%�]�N�]�, ������#%�]�,��, He entered two houses with two doors

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119

#%�]�I�L�4 �%# ������<d�� From two rich men

Plural

!d��L#4 ���)����� / �����<d�� They are rich men

� ��� �f�F�, eY��L#4 ��Q]#I ����� / �����#��2&#'����� C��#$ <d�'�g The caliph sent men of justice to the city

�+� �K�I�L<d��L#4 ����� / �����<d�'�g He sat with men of justice

7.2.2 �� is used for epithets and honorific titles. The ������ #h]��#$ (possessor) often becomes !���#.�F� (definite).

#8��.�O#[��� #d�_�5��� �� Possessor of majesty and honour

#%�]�c�.�i��� �� The one of two horns

#S�Q#=��� �� Ezekiel (lit. The possessor of the burden)

#.� ��� (�� Rulers (lit. those of matter)

� �K�I�L#.� ��� ;#�� �+ He sat with the rulers (lit. those of matter)

7.2.3 The feminine of �� is �j��� , which is also only ever used as in an !�����"#$ construction. It is not however,

one of ������� ��� ��������� (the five nouns).

The dual ����� has an alternative form ������� . The plural �j����� has an alternative form �j�Y� . The first �

of �j�Y� is not pronounced so it sounds like ‘�j�Y’ . The following table illustrates the forms of �j��� :

DRILL #12

�+���L Plural

WCU2�V�

Dual

�.�Q� �J

Singular

�j����� / �j�Y� ����� /������� �j��� �/(��.�

�j����� / �j�Y� �;���� / �;������ �j��� ��(�1�2�

#j����� / #j�Y� �;���� / �;������ #j��� �4��.�5�

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120

<S�i�g �j��� �D�2#, ;#)<+#���� She is a broad-minded girl

N�2#, �j�B�:� <S�i�g �j��� e�<+#���� C��#$ #D�]�M��� She took a broad-minded girl home

<S�i�g #j��� <D�2#, �+� �D���I�L<+#���� She sat with a broad-minded girl

#X��N�2#, ����) ����� / #%�]�I�i�g ������� #%�]�F#���� They are two broad-minded girls

�N�2#, �j�B�:�#k���� �; /�;������ <S�i�g <+#���� C��#$ #D�]�M��� She took two broad-minded girls home

�+� �D���I�L #%�]�I�i�g �;���� #%�]�N�2#,#%�]�F#���� She sat with two broad-minded girls

�j����� @%�) / �j�Y� <d(i�g <��F#���� They are broad-minded (women)

l����#c �j�B�:� �j�����/ <d(i�g �j�Y� <��F#���� C��#$ #D�]�M��� She took broad-minded women home

#j����� <����#c �+� �D���I�L / #j�Y� <d(i�g <��F#���� She sat with broad-minded women

7.2.4 when used as ������ (possessed noun) �*#���m (lit. companion) and � �%�, /�D�2#, , may also mean

‘possessor of’. This is often used to render some idiomatic expressions.

� ���N����<��I#g �*#���m The professor is erudite (lit. possessor of knowledge)

#D�]�M��� #��M#���m �+� �D���I�L She sat with the landlady

#2#� #n�_�o �%�,� �(�)�k / <j��(�2�� He is three years old

�D�2#, �;#)#K���:�k#2#� / <j��(�2�� She is five years old

�#'�I�M��� �%�, Local inhabitant

�#S]#M@��� �%�, Wayfarer, wanderer

The plural is rendered by �m�����A , ����2�,� /�j��2�, or S�)� #�@2�5��� ����A�m� The inhabitants of paradise

#J�_#M��� ����2�,� Fellow countrymen

#��I#F��� S�)� Those of knowledge

��� S�)�#D�]�M Members of the Prophet Muhammad’s family (lit. Those of the house)

#��c��=����� S�)� Those of rank

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121

Summary Supplement on Case

�� �!�"�#�����$�%&� ���

The following is a review of the instances in which we have encountered the three cases that

relate to nouns.

Case

Instance

1. �/(��.�

– �'�N�M����� (The subject)

– � ����.�M (The predicate)

– �S�F#Q�� ��/#4������� (the imperfect verb)

– S#g��Q��� (the subject of a verb)

– �*#p��cS#g��Q��� (the deputy subject of a passive

verb)

2. ��(�1�2�

– qX#$ ����� (the subject of inna)

– �.�M�: �X��O (the predicate of kaana)

– #h#, d(�F�Q����� (the object)

– After �%�� (An imperfect verb after the

future particle ‘lan’)

3. �4��.�5�

– After r.�L ��.�� (after a preposition)

– ���������� #$#h�]�� (the possessor)

4. �5� �8��s

– After ���� and ���@� (An imperfect verb after these

negative particles)

– After �Y (An imperfect verb after the

particle ‘la’ producing a negative

imperative)

– After t�� , t�I�� and t���� (An imperfect verb after these

particles producing a mild

positive imperative)

Indicators

Normal Diptote

Imperfect

verbs

ending in ' Dual

Sound Masc.

Plural

Sound Fem.

Plural Five Nouns

�/(��.� 0 � � �

��(�1�2� 3 Dropping of

' 6 6 7 �

�4��.�5� 7 3 6 6 6

�5� �8��s u Dropping of

'

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122

��(��)�$�*�+�

��8�(�]�� today al-yawma

�v�X now al-aana

���)����,Z( father abun (aabaaun)

�#X��(�,��� parents al-abawaani

���)!X��(�:#$ w !\�(�:#$( brother akhun (ikhwaanun, ikhwatun)

����)��������( brother-in-law Hamun (aHmaa’un)

����)�>��(���( mouth famun (afwaahun)

�� possessor of (m) dhuu

�.� �) �4(� ( matter, affair amrun (umuurun)

!X�x�y)!X��z�y( matter, affair sha’nun (shu’uunun)

<X�x�y �� Important, significant

(the name ‘Zeeshan’ comes from

the Arabic ‘<X�x�y 6#�’) dhuu sha’nin

� ��� (��#. leaders uuluu al-amri

�j��� possessor of (f) dhaatu

�j���)�j�����( essence dhaatun (dhawaatun)

#j�qB��#, in itself bidh-dhaati

#j�qB��#, �{�|� #J ;#� in Damascus itself fi dimashqa bidh-dhaati

�(�)/#j�qB��#, �;#) he himself / she herself huwa/hiya bidh-dhaati

<8�(�& �j��� once upon a time; one day dhaata yawmin

�*#���m) � ����A�m ,�*�A�m( companion SaaHibun (aSHaabun, SaHbun)

;#M#���m ��& /#~��m ��& O my companion! yaa SaaHibi / yaa SaaHi

�*#���m) �����A�m( possessor of SaaHibu (aSHaabu)

#D�]�M��� �*#���m landlord SaaHibu al-bayti

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123

#��I#F��� S�)� those of knowledge ahl al-⊂ilmi

!d�'�g justice ⊂adlun

!��2&#'� )!X�'� ( city madeenatun (mudunun)

���2&#'���� Medina (prop. name) al-madeenatu

���.�")T# (e�,�.�" he hit Daraba (yaDribu) Darban

���.�" hitting Darbun

�,�F�f) T� (V�F�,e� he sent ba⊂atha (yab⊂athu) ba⊂than

!f�F�, sending; resurrection ba⊂thun

�+� +�4��.�5� with ma⊂a

�{�� ���F� /����F� �{�A�� you are right ma⊂aka Haqqun / al-Haqqu ma⊂aka

����]�I�g �{�A�� you are wrong al-Haqqu ⊂alayka

!S]#M��)!S�M��( way sabeelun (subulun)

#�� #S]#M�� ;#� in the way of Allah fi sabeeli allahi

� #'�I�M��� �%�, /#J�_#M��� ����2�,� a local /

fellow countryman ibnu al-baladi / abnaa’u al-bilaadi

<.�=�, (�,� Abu Bakr abu bakrin

t�O like (prep.) ka

�D�H��)�j��H���( time waqtun (awqaatun)

�%� ��)��X�� ���( time zamanun (azmaanun)

#{&#.�� �%�g +������ #h�]��#$ by way of, via ⊂an Tareeqi

�P#��"� !S#1@N /� !S#1�Q�2 attached/detached pronoun

(gram.) Dameerun muttaSilun / munfaSilun

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124

Exercise 7.1 Express in English

)�(

� .#�#I�O #h# �_�O ; r{�� ��N�����i��

٢ .� <P#V�O <d�� �j��� ��=#I����

٣ . ��c#J�_#, ����2�,���,Z (�2�,�� ��2#p��2]#2�, (�2�,�� ��c(�2�, ٤. �{�|� #J ������I�g������<�]#A�m <��?��

�� <%����qG�� ;#�(�:#$ �%# ��� �(�)�k#M�] ٥ .�h������(�,�

٦ .(�,� �*�)�� �E��:��� ;#c�B�:��� �E ٧ . <P#V�O <��I#g 6#��� ������I�g �%�g <+#���� <S�i�g �� �*#���� ��.�H

(twice) ٨ .#k�@.� ��q=� C��#$ �6��(�:� �*�)��

٩ .;#,� �B�:�#P#M�=��� ;#:� #D�]�, C��#$ �P#�@1�� ;#:� ١٠ . �%���� :;#2��#?�� �S�)� � �E(�,

���&�.� : ���F�c

)�(

#.�5�Q��� C@N� ��@N���� (authentic) � .�~��A�1�� �*�N=��� �.�i�& �*#��qG�� �K�I�L

٢ .�O�_� ���, #F�']�g #%��� �A �{ ٣ .�,�F�f�c � �� #M�, C��#$ e�U]��#$ ;#2�.#p��S] ٤ .��F�#�����m �#��*�� �?<��� #��<+�� ����5#)�S� �g ��i<S�" <{�]

!��M�]�� !�� �_�g #.� ��� ;#� � e��i�� #jqB��#, �(�) �.���� �S�) ٥ . #h#��,��N#O #��I���L �%# �� #���N����� #8�_�O: (sum total) ٦ .#��I���L �%# e�'#���� e�.� � ��#?��

�) �(�H #(#L �6#� e�U' ;����FI#8(�� ��y ��x�O <X#M<P

٧ . <��Q#m @��4�� �>��:� ���.�" <�� @��4 <��M�]���h�2# �D�M�)��

e�'#L �*�]�� ��� ��?�Q#N����� #J�'�5��� #�q_�GI#� e�U'#L !��M�F�m �;#)�� (aspects) ٨ . <h�L��� ��F�,�4� #.� ��#�

��L#4�� #>#J�_#, ����2�,�<\�']#F�, <X��'�I�, �%# !d (among them) ٩ .;#� �'@��A� �K�I�L���?�2# �� #h#,��A�m�

١٠ . <��c��=� �j��� ���&�.� (distant) ١١. ��2���2�,�� ��2#p��2�,� (�2�, ��c(�2�, #'#g��,��� #d��L�.�� ����2�,� @%�)(�2�,

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Exercise 7.2 Express in Arabic

(A)

1. I have only two pieces of meat.

2. Did your brother-in-law understand my two words.

3. My father took me to the school teachers (use ��RI�F� ).

4. He read the writing on the two doors of the king’s two houses.

5. He is father of two girls.

6. Did he really take the statement from your mouth?

7. In a sentence of three words (use �j���).

8. The boy’s father and mother attended.

9. My father took my brother from me.

10. My world is really difficult. Only my brothers understand me.

(B)

1. The professor sat writing his book at dawn.

2. Mary went to school today and her brother Hasan sat at home.

3. Muhammad and Abu Bakr went to Medina via the sea.

4. Man’s days on (;#�) Earth are limited. He will go from the world.

5. Are the presidents and leaders in our time (!X�� ��) men of justice?

6. Hasan read the matter (�.� �) in his father’s eyes.

7. The two students of law ( ����A��(i ) read their two books on (�%�g) human rights.

8. My teachers (use ��RI�F� ) possess precise (�{]#H�J) knowledge in their sciences.

9. He is a man of much wealth and has been to very many places.

10. Your brother will take me to his house by the sea.

11. Maryam’s father went to school for a meeting.

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��������� ���� � Chapter 8

Adverbs of Place and Time

Just as a ������ (adjective) describes an ��� (noun), a �� ����������� (adverb) describes a ����� (verb), in terms

of ������� (place) or ������� (time). That is, it tells us about when an action happened or where it happened.

Those that refer to place are called �� ����������� ������� ����� (adverbial of place) and those that refer to time

are called �� ����������� ������� ����� (adverbial of time). Adverbials of ‘how’ an action happens will be

introduced later.

The �� ����������� (adverb) in Arabic is �! �"#�� and normally ends in ���$%��.

8.1 The simple �������������� (adverb of time/place)

8.1.1 Often a �� ����������� (adverb) is produced simply by making an ��� (noun) �"#���! :

&�'��( At once (from ����()

)�*�+ Tomorrow (from �*�+)

)���� Together

)�,��-�. By day (from �,��-�. )

)/��0 At night (from ����0 )

�1��0)� For one night

)�� �2 One day

)/3�4 Previously

)�*��5 later

)67��� Once

�8��97��� Twice

�:�7��� More than twice

)6�;�<=�> �:�7��� Many times

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�.�?���4 *�@�0)/3�4 )67��� �A� We have read it once before

��$�3�0� B�0�C )�� �2 ��#3�D�E We went one day to the sea

)��F�/�F )���72�? �D�*#�G �HI�1�J /)6�;�<�> I stayed with them three days / many days (All numbers can be used as adverbs)

���� �HI�1�J )��@��4�L �� / )��G��� / )�G �3�M? / )��-�N /)��#�� I stayed with him a minute / an hour / a week /

a month / a year

8.1.2 When ��������� (definite), it usually refers to a particular time or place.

����1��1�0 Tonight (from ���1��0 )

��O ���0 Today (from �O �2 )

Exceptions to this are �P��? (yesterday) which is �����0� B�1�G QR�#3��I (fixed on kasra) and �=��S (now) which is

derived from ��T (time) and is ���U%���0� B�1�G QR�#3 (fixed on fatHa).

8.2 ��������� adverbs

8.2.1 The ������ ������� (adverbs) produced above are general. )/3�4 for example, refers generally to the past and

)�*��5 refers generally to the future. In order to be more specific and say ‘before x’ or ‘after y’ we use a

different type of �� ����������� (adverb), again produced by simply making nouns that refer to place or time

�! �"#�� . These adverbs are used only as ����V�� (possessed) in an ������W�C construction and require a

����V�� ����0C (possessor) to immediately follow them.

�X�D�E ��3�4 �O �2 He went a day ago (lit. before a day)

��Y���0� ��3�4 �Z���[ He left before dawn

��� �2 �*��5 �����\�8 He arrived after two days

�]� �*�2 ^ �_ �� 2�?2�* ` �-)48:10( The hand of Allah is over their hands

�*�J�\��-�5��%�> �H$�9 ��-�c�1�4 : She found her pen under her book

�*2�*�J �d �W �� �� �( R���/�> My talk is about a new subject

�e�1�c�0� �f��G �� �( � �I�1�J They sat around the king’s throne

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�,��-7#0� �� Mg�\ ����1�0� �� Mg R�3�%M> �:�?���4 I read my books all night and all day

��h��� � $�. �i2��hj0� B�1�G ��#J���[ We went out on the road towards Mecca

���9��5��%�> �8c�W ���9*�J�\ I found it among his essays

�!��k�c�0��\ ��"���0� �8��5 � �J���[ They left between mid-afternoon and sunset

�e�#��5�\ R�#��5 Between me and you

(�8��5 must be repeated if one of the parties is a �c�W�; (pronoun).

�Rl5�, �8��5�\ R�#��5 ���=m The matter is between me and my Lord

�e�.\�L �e���/�> Your speech is below you

���5��%�> ��\�L �����,*�c�0� B�0�C �X�D�E He went to school without his book

�O�/�> ��\�L �P�1�J�\ ���[�L He entered and sat without a word

�i2��hj0� �n��\ �A��.*�J�\ We found him in the middle of the road

(Note: when �n���\ is used as an adverb, it becomes �n��\)

�O�72�? ���F�/�F �HI�1�J I stayed three days (All numbers can be used as adverbs)

=m� ���F�/�F �HI�1�J�o���0� �O�72���6 I stayed three of the ten days

�O ���0� ��Y�� 7R�1�G ���[�L He called upon me at fajr today

����V���, ��-�N ������ �HI�1�J I stayed with him the month of Ramadan

����c�Y�0� �,��-�. ��$�3�0� B�0�C ��#3�D�E We went to the sea on Friday, during the day

����c�Y�0� ���1��0 ��$�3�0� B�0�C ��#3�D�E We went to the sea on Friday night

���0 ���\ ���@��4�L ��#�1���\ /���0 ���\ ���G��� ��#�1���\ We arrived the minute / hour he arrived

(lit. of his arrival)

Note the difference between the following two expressions:

�O �2����c�Y�0� Friday

�O �2����c�Y�0� On Friday (adv.)

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�p�� (with) and �*#�G (with/at) are two such �� ����������� (adverbs) that produce a meaning of possession.

�p�� (with) implies having the possessed article actually on one’s person.

�e���� qi�$�0� /Qi�( �e���� You are right (lit. Truth is with you)

�0�R���� �!��%�� The book is with me

�*#�G is used to refer to �=M�����c�0��\ M����7r0 (time and place), often implying ‘at home’.

�O ���0� s�*#�G �*7c�$�� Muhammad is (staying) at my place today

�t1���c�0� �*#�G �!��%���0� �?���4 He read the book at the house of/with the teacher

���#2�*�c�0� �!��5 �*#�G At the city gate

��Y���0� �*#�G At daybreak, dawn

Books of Arabic grammar written by English grammarians tend to list all the above as prepositions

because they appear to behave like prepositions. Although it may be useful at the outset for the student

to think of these as u��J ��\���( (prepositions), they are in fact not so.

8.2.2 Some �� ����������� (adverbs) require that they are followed by a ���1c�J (a sentence), usually a 7��1��� ���1c�J��

(verb sentence). This ���1c�J (sentence) is ����0�C ����V�c�0� t��$�� R�� (in the place of the possessor).

�*7c�$�� �X�D�E Mv��( �8�I�( �X�D�E Hasan went where Muhammad went

(the adverb Mv��( is anomalously fixed on ��7c�W)

�X�D�E Mv��( �8�I�( ��������\ �w,=m� Hasan went where the earth is wide

�X�D�x�2 �y�( �8�I�( �X�D�x�2�*7c�$�� Hasan will go when Muhammad goes

�y�( �8�I�( �X�D�x�2��67��c$�� �Pc7o0 Hasan will go when the Sun is red

�X�D�E Mv��( 8�G �:�?���4 I read about where he went

8.2.3 Some �� ����������� (adverbs) can be followed both by a single word as the ����V�� ����0C (possessor) or by a

���1c�J (a sentence) ����0�C ����V�c�0� t��$�� R�� (in the place of the possessor).

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����c�Y�0� �O �2 ��$�3�0� B�0�C ��#3�D�E We went to the sea on Friday

�C ��#3�D�E�%3�D�E �O �2 ��$�3�0� B�0 We went to the sea the day you went

���J\���[ �H�4�\ ����0�C ��#3�D�E�����,*�c�0� �8�� We went to him at the time of his leaving the

school

�����,*�c�0� �8�� �Z���[ �H�4�\ ����0�C ��#3�D�E We went to him at the time (when) he left the

school

�H��3�0� R�� ���� M1�J �8���� ����0�C ��#3�D�E We went to him at the time of his sitting at

home

�D�E�H��3�0� R�� �����> �8���� ����0�C ��#3 We went to him at the time (when) he was at

home

8.2.4 Often, we may precede the �� ����������� (adverb) that requires a ����V�� ����0C (possessor) after it with the

preposition R�� , as suggested by the name. This makes it �,\��Y�� and we no longer call it �� �����������

(adverb). This cannot be done all the time. For example, we cannot say ��3�4 R�� .

����c�Y�0� �O �2 R�� ��$�3�0� B�0�C ��#3�D�E We went to the sea on Friday

�i2��hj0� �n���\ R�� �A��.*�J�\ We found him in the middle of the road

(Note: when preceded by R��, �n���\ remains ���\�n )

8.2.5 A �� ����������� (adverb) that is ����V�� (possessed) followed by a ����V�� ����0C (possessor) produces a ��3�N���1c�J (quasi sentence). We may have an indefinite �?�*�%3�� (subject) after it.

���Y���0� �*��5 �P�1Y�c�0 The meeting is after fajr

�P�1Y�� ��Y���0� �*��5 There is a meeting after fajr

)�I�1Y�� ��Y���0� �*��5 h��C Indeed there is a meeting after fajr

�e���� qi�$�0� You are right (lit. The truth is with you)

Qi�( �e���� You are right (lit. There is truth with you)

h��Cz@�( �e����)� Indeed you are right (lit. Indeed there is truth with

you)

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�������������

�����\)M��"�2 ()' ���\ he arrived at waSala (yaSilu) wuSuulan

�� ���\ arrival wuSuulun

)'��( at once, immediately Haalan

����0 night laylun

���1��0)������0( a night laylatun (layaalin)

����1��1�0 tonight al-laylata

)/��0 at night laylan

�,��-�. day nahaarun

)�,��-�. by day nahaaran

�X�%�>�,��-�. ����0 he wrote night and day kataba layla nahaara

)�� �2 one day yawman

�0��O �� today al-yawma

)/3�4 previously qablan

��3�4 before qabla

)�*��5 later ba⊂dan

�*��5 after ba⊂da

�P��? yesterday amsi

�*�J�\)�2��*�Y ()�L �J�\ he found wajada (yajidu) wujuudan

�L �J�\ existence; being, presence wujuudun

�Z���[){| ( )�J\���[)8��( he went out (of) kharaja (yakhruju) khuruujan (min)

�Z\���[ exit; going out khuruujun

���[�L){| ()' �[�L) / R��( he entered dakhala (yadkhulu) dukhuulan

���[�L){| ()' �[�L) �1�GB( he entered (upon A s.o.), called (on A s.o.) dakhala (yadkhulu) dukhuulan (⊂alaa)

�� �[�L entry dukhuulun

�5} with (prep.) bi

�� ������������� ����� ����� /������� adverbs of place/time maf⊂uulun fiihi Dharfu

makaanin/zamaanin

�����)��\��M�( situation Dharfun (Dhuruufun)

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�_ �� over fawqa

�H$�9 under taHta

�� �( around; about Hawla

�� Mg throughout Tuula

� $�.)~���$.�?( direction, grammar naHwun (anHaa’un)

8�� � $�. approximately naHwun min

� $�. toward naHwa

�8c�W among Dimna

�8��5 between; among bayna

�8��5 �8��5 so so bayna bayna

�-�#��5 8�� from among them min baynihim

��\�L below, without duuna

�*#�G with, at ⊂inda

�*#�Gs in my opinion ⊂indii

�p�� with ma⊂a

Mv��( where Haythu

�y�( when Hiina

)67��� / �8��97��� /�:�7��� once/twice/more than twice marratan / marratayni / marraatin

)6�;�<�> �:�7��� many times (adv.) marraatin katheeratan

�:�7��� ���/�F three times (adv.) thalaatha marraatin

M���|c�Y�0� /����|c�Y�0� �O �2 Friday al-jum(u)⊂atu / yawmu al-jum(u)⊂ati

����|c�Y�0� �O �2 on Friday (adv.) yawma al-jum(u)⊂ati

M���V���, /����V���, ��-�N Ramadan ramaDaanu / shahru ramaDaana

�*�2) �*2�? ,�L��2�?( hand yadun (aydin, ayaadin)

���*�2 �H$�9 at your disposal taHta yadika

��2�*�2 �8��5 in front of him bayna yadayhi

�d �W ��)�p��W�� ��( subject mawDuu⊂un (mawaaDii⊂u)

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Exercise 8.1 Express in English

� . �'�\ �P��? �*�(�? R�.�x�[�? ����O ���0� �*�(�? R�.Mx�[���2

٢ .)'��( � M1�[LM�

٣ .)/��0 ���#2�*�c�0� ��#�1���\�\ )�,��-�. ��h��� 8�� ��#J���[ ٤ . ���. � )/3�4 �!��%���0� ��x�D �:�?���4 ���D ,�:�7��� ���/�F ���9�?���4

٥ . ��2��c�0 �8�I�( :B�0�C �H3�D�E ���D� )/3�4 ��h��� ��2��� :�y�97��� �H3�D�E ���.

٦ .�]� ������3.�? 8�� QR�3�. � �D ٧ .)6�;�<�> �:�7��� =�R7o0� ��x�D M��%ch1�G *�@�0

٨ .� ���1��1�0� �8�I�( M��"�2 �'�? B�1�5 ,Y���0� �*#�G ��h��� R�� ���%��5 8�� �Z���[| ]� =���N ���C ���1��1�0� M��"���� ��

٩ .��1�G �X�(��� �A �c�9*�J�\ ���D ١٠. �H��3�0� R�� ���F�/h<0� ��c�D=���#5�? ���7�|m� �:�*�J�\

١١ .�c�1�> :���3�>s�*#�G ���% Exercise 8.2

Express in Arabic

1. I took my family to the sea.

2. Did you inform him? Yes, we informed him many times.

3. I didn’t find four of my books yesterday. Did anyone take them? No, nobody took them.

4. Isn’t he going out tonight? Yes indeed, he is going out with his parents.

5. The (f) students read their books night and day.

6. The two students worked hard after fajr

7. Hasan and Maryam understood each other immediately.

8. The matter will be uncovered one day after much hard work.

9. We entered and left at once

10. We arrived the day you left the house

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��������� ���� � Chapter 9

Further Possession

9.1 Possession using ��

In Chapter One we introduced the ��������� construction. Possession can also be rendered using the

preposition �� which means ‘to’, ‘for’ or ‘belonging to’.

When written �� attaches to the � ��� (noun) following it. If the definite article ��� is preceded by �� , we drop the � (alif) and write ���� . When �� attaches to a word, it forms a �������� ����� (quasi sentence),

just like any other ���� ������ (preposition).

���� �!����� In the house (fi al-bayti)

��� �!���� For / To / Belonging to the house (lil-bayti)

����"���#$ For / To / Belonging to the student (liT-Taalibi)

9.1.1 This �������� ����� (quasi sentence) may attach to an elliptical ����% (predicate)

�&����'��() *+���+�,(� �!����� ��� The book is in the house (al-kitaabu fi al-bayti)

�'��(�&���) *+���+�,(�� � �!���� The book is for / belongs to the house (al-kitaabu lil-bayti)

�'��(�&���) *+���+�,( ����"���#$ The book is for / belongs to the student (al-kitaabu liT-Taalibi)

9.1.2 If we make the �.�/�(���, (subject) indefinite, it must be deferred to after the �������� ����� (quasi sentence).

'��(�0 � �!����� ��� A book is in the house /

There is a book in the house (fi al-bayti kitaabun)

������ '��(�0 � �! A book belongs to the house /

The house has a book (lil-bayti kitaabun)

��� '��(�0 �"���#$ A book belongs to the student /

The student has a book (liT-Taalibi kitaabun)

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1�2�0 �3��, �4��5���� Much wealth belongs to the man /

The man has much wealth (lir-rajuli maalun katheerun)

As illustrated above, we use �� to express ‘(the) x has (a) y’.

For example, ‘Muhammad has a book’ would be �� '��(�0 �/5��6�� .

We saw in chapter eight that possession can also be produced with �7�, (with) and �/�8�9 (with/at). �7�,

implies having the possessed article actually on one’s person and �/�8�9 (with) can but not always implies

possessing the article at home.

��� '��(�0 �"���#$ The student has a book

�7�, �� '��(�0 �"���#$ The student has a book (with him)

� �/�8�9� '��(�0 �"���#$ The student has a book (at home)

��:�;�+��� / � �/�8�9��:�;�+� =����(��� The president has a meeting

9.1.3 An �������� construction must be either completely �������>�, (definite) or completely �?���&�@ (indefinite). For

example, the expression � �'��A� �!���� means ‘the door of the house’, suggesting that the house has one

door. To say ‘a door of the house’ or produce any ‘an x of the y’ expression, we use the preposition �� and not an �������� construction.

� �!������ '��A A door of the house (baabun lil-bayti)

(Note that ��A � �!������ ' means ‘the house has a door)

B�A��A �4�%�*� �!������ He entered a door of the house (dakhala baaban lil-bayti)

This can also be expressed in the following way:

�A '�� �!����� �'��+�A�. �C�, A door of the house lit. ‘a door from among the doors of the house’

(baabun min abwaabi al-bayti)

B�A��A �4�%�*� �!����� �'��+�A�. �C�, He entered a door of the house (dakhala baaban min abwaabi al-bayti)

�8�A �C�, �8�A�/5��6�, �D� One of the daughters of Muhammad

(bintun min banaati muHammadin)

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Phonetics

The preposition �� changes to ��

���� ��8�� �E�� ��F&�� For him For us For you For you (pl)

But when attached to the first person pronoun ‘��’ , it remains ��

��� For me

�!�A ���� A house of his

lit. ‘A house belonging to him’

���G+�!�A �C�, �!�A A house of his

lit. ‘a house from among his houses’

9.2 Idiomatic use of the definite ���������

9.2.1 ��� H���� ���IJK�� F���������+�L�+�� (possession of the adjective by the noun it describes)

Suppose we were to say,

7:���� �4���M A quick man (rajulun saree⊂un)

In response, one may ask, ‘quick at what?’. This can be answered by ‘extending’ the adjective with a

���N�, �����!�� noun. The ���N�, (possessed) must be a ���I�L (adjective) and the ���!���� ���N�, (possessor) must

be an � ��� (noun).

�7:���� �4���M ���O�I��� A quick witted man (lit. a ‘quick-of-understanding’ man)

(rajulun saree⊂u al-fahmi)

�7:���� �4���M �P�Q�&��� A quick speaking man (lit. ‘a quick-of-speech’ man) (rajulun saree⊂u al-kalaami)

�4���M�P�Q�&��� �1�2�0 A talkative man (lit. a ‘much-of-speech’ man) (rajulun katheeru al-kalaami)

�4���M�3������ �1�2�0 A wealthy man (lit. a ‘much-of-wealth’ man) (rajulun katheeru al-maali)

i

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�4���M�����+��� �C�R�� A handsome man (lit. a ‘handsome-of-face’ man) (rajulun Hasanu al-wajhi)

What we have done is simply ‘extend’ a �?���&�@ (indefinite) adjective. The adjective itself remains �?���&�@ (indefinite) despite the expression looking like a definite �������� construction. This is why it continues to

describe a �?���&�@ (indefinite) word. We may think of expressions such as �7:���� ���O�I��� as ‘extended �������� adjectives’.

S Agreement is exhibited only on the ���N�, (possessed) noun.

(a) Agreement in case:

�7:���� BQ���M �T�%�. ���O�I��� He took a quick witted man (akhada rajulan saree⊂a al-fahmi)

�7:���� �4���M �C�, ���O�I��� From a quick witted man (min rajulin saree⊂I al-fahmi)

(b) Agreeement in gender:

�>:���� �?�.���,� F����O�I��� A quick witted woman (imra’atun saree⊂atu al-fahm i)

(c) Agreement in definition:

�7:��5R�� F4��5��� ���O�I��� The quick witted man (rajulun saree⊂u al-fahmi)

The last example above may appear odd because we put the definite article ��� on a ���N�, (possessed)

noun. Think of this as the only instance of the ���N�, (possessed) noun taking a definite article ��� .

(d) Agreement in number:

�>:���� �U�Q���M ����O�I��� Two quick witted men

(Note the dropping of the U in �U��>:���� )

�>:���� �U��G�.���,� ��(���O�I��� Two quick witted women

�>:���� �3����M +���O�I��� Quick witted men

(Note the dropping of the U in �>:�����U+ )

�>:���� VW��R�@ �D����O�I��� Quick witted women

When ‘extended �������� adjectives’ describe a plural noun, the sound masculine or sound feminine plural

must be used. ‘extended �������� adjectives’ cannot be produced from broken plurals. It is incorrect to say,

�=����� �3����M ���O�I��� .

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Extended �������� adjectives may be used as an indefinite ����% .

��F4��5��3������ �1�2�0 The man is rich (lit. The man is much-of-wealth) (ar-rajulu katheeru al-maali)

9.2.2 Similar to the above, we have expressions in which we swap around a plural noun and adjective and

place them in an ��XV�X�� construction. The expressions retain their meanings.

��� YW������>����M����& The eminent scholars (al-⊂ulamaa’u al-kibaarun)

�W������>��� �M����0 The eminent scholars (kibaaru al-⊂ulamaa’i)

Unlike the earlier expressions, this expression does not change in meaning after becoming an �������� . It is not an extended �������� adjective. This �������� is also wholly �������>�, (definite). These are given

expressions and students should not attempt to be creative.

9.3 Idiomatic use of the indefinite ���������

The indefinite �������� is used idiomatically in a number of common expressions.

���6�� F��>�$�Z A piece of meat (qiT⊂atu laHmin)

���6�� �7�$�Z Pieces of meat (qiTa⊂u laHmin)

�"�[�% \�����F0 A chair of wood (kursiyyu khashabin)

F������0 �]�� A word of truth (kalimatu Haqqin)

We can dispense with � �F����� by using �C�, , which means ‘from’. It can also mean ‘of’ in a partitive

sense, such as in the sentence, ‘eat of the food’ i.e. part/some of the food.

���6�� �C�, ���>�$�Z/ �C�, � ���6���� A piece of meat (qiTatun min laHmin / min al-laHmi)

�"�[�% �C�, _�����F0/ �C�, ��"�[� �� A chair of wood (kursiyyun min khashabin / min al-khashabi)

�]�� �C�, �������0/ �C�, �J]�6�� A word of truth (kalimatun min Haqqin / min al-Haqqi)

It is better and more common to use the �������>�, (definite) of ����6���� , ��"�[� �� and J]�6��� after �C�, . The �������� expression is better than both of these.

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Note that ���>�$�Z , _�����F0 and _]�� have C:�+�8�G . This is because we are not using an �������� construction.

��������� words in ��������� constructions

When a+Fb�8�, words are a ���N�, (possessed) noun, a �c is appended to them.

H���+�, �c�*��d The valley of Moses (waadii Muusaa)

�4�%�*H���+�, �c�*��d He entered the valley of Moses (dakhala waadia Muusaa)

�e����>��� �����M�. The lands of Iraq (araaDi al-⊂iraaqi)

Summary Supplement

Possession

�������� � ��������!� "��

���#�$���%

Examples

1. ��������� constructions

a) The definite ��������� construction

– �"���#$�� �'��(�0

The book of the student /

The student’s book

b) The indefinite ��������� construction

– �"����f �'��(�0

A book of a student /

The book of a student /

A student’s book

2. non ��������� constructions

a) ‘The x belongs to the y’

– �"���#$��� �'��(�&��

The book belongs to the student

b) ‘An x belongs to the y’, or

‘The x has a y’

– '��(�0 �"���#$���/ '��(�0 �"���#$�� �7�,/ '��(�0 �"���#$�� �/�8�9

A book belongs to the student /

The student has a book

c) ‘An x of the y’

– �"���#$��� '��(�0/

�"���#$�� �"�(F0 �C�, '��(�0

A book of the student

A book (from among the books)

of the student

i

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��&��'�(�)�*� Vocabulary

�� to; for; belonging to li

�3��,)�3��+�,�.( wealth maalun (amwaalun)

��� � �!�A�3��� treasury (classical) baitu al-maali

���>�$�Z) 7�$�Z( piece qiT⊂atun (qiTa⊂un)

1�2�0) �F2F0 , �Ud�1�2�0 , M��2�0( much (m) katheerun (kuthurun,

katheeruuna, kithaarun)

�?�1�2�0) D��1�2�0( much (f) katheeratun (katheeraatun)

��6��) P+�6F�( meat laHmun (luHuumun)

_�����F0)\�������0( chair kursiyyun (karaasiyyu)

"�[�%) '��[�%�.( wood khashabun (akhshaabun)

�Z!�� �4)F4�h�Q�Z , �U+F��!���Z( few (m) qaleelun (qalaa’ilu ,

qaleeluuna)

����!���Z) D�Q!���Z( few (f) qaleelatun (qaleelaatun)

7:����)�U+�>:����( fast (m) saree⊂un (saree⊂uuna)

���>:����) D��>:����( fast (f) sareeat⊂un (saree⊂aatun)

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�4�b�9)�9�3+Fb( intellect; mind ⊂aqlun (⊂uquulun)

���O�I��� �7:���� quick of wit saree⊂u al-fahmi

C�R��)��R���U( handsome; beautiful (adj.) Hasanun (Hisaanun)

C�R��)�U+�8�R��( Hasan (prop. noun) Hasanun (Hasanuuna)

����d) i+���d( Face wajhun (wujuuhun)

����d) ����d�.( aspect wajhun (awjuhun)

_��8�j) YW��!�8�j�.( rich ghaniyyun (aghniyaa’u)

�� so; because fa

�k���d)�l����d�.( 1. middle;

2. (pl.) social circles, milieu wasaTun (awsaaTun)

_]��) e+Fb��( truth; right; (pl) law Haqqun (Huquuqun)

F������0�]�� a word of truth kalimatu Haqqin

�U��R�@� � �e+Fb�� human rights Huquuqu al-insaani

��B�mb really, in reality Haqqan

�.��n B�mb really? aHaqqan

��O�@ )�. M��O�@( River nahrun (anhaarun)

]J!� )�U+FbJ!�( narrow (m) Dayyiqun (Dayyiquuna)

�bJ!��� ) D��bJ!�( narrow (f) Dayyiqatun (Dayyiqaatun)

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Exercise 9.1 Express in English

o .q ���>����d �r� �s�M�.�d t) 39:10( ٢ .���O�I��� �7:�����d �����+��� �C�R�� /5��6�, ٣ .�P�Q�&��� � ���O�I�� ���O�I��� F��>:���� �/5��6�, � �8�A ٤ .�]�� F������0 �'��(�&��� ��� ٥ .���!���� ���N�,�d ���N�, F������ � ٦ . ����n �e����>��� �*�Q�A H���� B������� �]�[�,�*�d ��#&�, H���� �'#Qu$�� �"�v�w ٧ .���>�@ n 7����d�d �4:�+�f ���K�, ���O�@�. ٨ .���6����� �C�, ":���Z �+�v n �C�R�� �":���Z � �!�A �C�:�.

٩ .�: ��� �W����65K�� �k���d H���� �U+���v�T�(�� B�mb���. n ��w������d n ���>���x��� �P�+ ١٠ . �r� �/���9 �CA� /5��6�, �U��0 ١١ .�]�[�,�* ��� �W������>��� �M����0 �D+�!�A H���� �'#Qu$�� �"�v�T�: ١٢ . ]J!� �4�b�9 �4�v��x�����d 7����d ��O�� ������>���� ١٣ .�A H���9 ���A��(�&��� �D������#$�� �D�.���Z �]�[�,�* ��� �W��,�/Fb��� �W��I��� ��� � �!�A �'��+�A�. �C�, �'�

Exercise 9.2 Express in Arabic

1. Muhammad is the servant of Allah.

2. Muhammad is a servant of Allah.

3. Are you the daughter of a rich man? (do not use the word _��8�j ) 4. No I am the daughter of a poor man (use 4!���Z ) from a distant desert.

5. Is it is an old method? Yes, an old method in a new book.

6. Why are they going to the middle of the desert?

7. Hasan’s mother is a scholar so she is a professor.

8. Muhammad’s face is beautiful.

9. Muhammad has a beautiful face.

10. The road to Damascus is long and wide.

11. Does Hasan truly sit in the councils of kings?

12. The students of law read about human rights in the country of Iraq.

13. How does the rich man go to the town centre?

14. What did the caliph write in the letter ('��(�0) to the eminent scholars of Damascus / in Damascus.

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�������� ������ �

Chapter 10

Quantification and Comparison

10.1 Quantification

10.1.1 ������ means ‘some’ or ‘part’. It occasionally also means ‘one’.

������ works in an ���� �� construction.

������ ������ Part of a day

������ ������ For part of a day (adv.)

���������� ������ Some/part of the book

����� ���������� Some of the books / One of the books

������ �� ������ Some of the women / One of the women

�!�"�#���� �$�% From some of them

�#������&'�( �!�" Some of them are students

��&'�( �!�"� �% ������ Some of them are students

10.1.2 �)*+�, ‘Several’ or ‘a number of’

(a) �)*+�, requires a �-��#�% ���.�/� (possessor) that is �0�1�2 (plural).

�����3 �)*+�, several books / a number of books

�����3 )*+�, �4�5�67 I read several books / a number of books

��������� )*+�, �4�5�67 I read a number of the books

�8��9�2�!�:�+� �,���*�5 )*+�, I stayed (lit. sat) with them several days

()*+�, is �./�� �;����<�% (adverb) here)

�=�5�67�.�4�*6�% )*+�, I read it several times

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(�.> is �.�� �;����<�% (object) and )*+�, is �./�� �;����<�% (adverb))

(b) �)*+�, may be followed by �$�% to produce the same meaning as above.

�4�5�67?)*+�,�$�% ��������� I read a number of the books

The word �,�+�@ (number) may also be used in this way,

�, �4�5�67�+�$�% ?�@��������� I read a number of the books

(c) �)*+�, may also be used as �<�A (an adjective), and it describes both �6&3B�% (masculine) and �C*D�E�%

(feminine) nouns.

?)*+�, ?�F���3 �4�5�67 I read several books

�)*+�, ��&'�( �.�1�"� A number of students understood it

�)*+�, �4�� �� �4�6�#�G Several girls attended

�)*+�, �����3 H�+� �, I have a number of books

?)*+�, ?�%�*�5 �I�� �: �8��9�2 I stayed there several days

10.1.3 �*%��, means ‘generality’

�J�* �� �*%��, �6�#�G The common people / masses atended

10.1.4 KL�3 (Every / Whole / All / both)

When KL�3 is a �-��#�% (possessed) in an ���� �� construction, its exact meaning depends on the �-��#�% ���.�/�

(possessor).

(a) When the �-��#�% ���.�/� (possessor) is �)�6���D (indefinite)

When the �-��#�% ���.�/� (possessor) is �6���D�) (indefinite) ML�3 means ‘each’ or ‘every’. The �-��#�% ���.�/� must

remain �@�6�<�% (singular).

�N����O�5 ML�3 �6�#�G Every / each professor attended

�6�#�G�4N����O�5 ML�3 �) Every / each (f) professor attended

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������ &L�3 ���:�B�� He goes every day

(&L�3 is �./�� �;����<�% (adverb) here)

When the �-��#�% ���.�/� (possessor) is �)�6���D (indefinite), any �6�F�P (predicate) must agree in gender with the

�-��#�% ���.�/� (possessor) and not ML�3 , even though ML�3 is the �5�+���F�% (subject). We call this semantic

agreement as opposed to grammatical agreement.

ML�3�Q�+�"���R�% �+� Every boy is hard working

�8� �� ML�3 �+�"���R�%�) Every girl is hard working

����O��Q �S�T5 ML�3 Every land is vast

�*���7 ��1�93 ML�3 Every word is strong

In the above sentences, the �5�+���F�% (subject) is ML�3 and is �)�6���D (indefinite) grammatically. An indefinite

�5�+���F�% is allowed here because although it is indefinite grammatically, ‘everything’ is in fact a definite

notion.

(b) When ����-��#�1 ���.�/� (the possessor) is ���6���% (definite)

When ����-��#�1 ���.�/� (the possessor) is ���6���% (definite) and �@�6�<�% (singular) it means ‘whole’.

���������� &L�3 5�67

He read the whole book

(Note: &L�3 is ����;����<�1�.�� (object of the verb)

Any �6�F�P (predicate) may agree with ML�3 or ����-��#�1 ���.�/� (the possessor).

�S�TUV� ML�3 �0�O��Q /����O��Q The whole earth is beautiful

�!����, �!�"M9�3 /X���19�, Every one of them is a scholar /

All of them are scholars

(c) When ����-��#�1 ���.�/� (the possessor) is ���6���% (definite) and �0�1�2 (plural) it means ‘all’.

������� &L�3 5�67�� He read all of the books

�)B�=��OUV� ML�3 �6�#�G

All the professors attended

(�L�3 is �L�,���L���<��� (subject of the verb))

�!�"M9�3 All of them

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�0�O��Q Y� ��TUV� ML�3 /����O��Q All the lands are vast

Note that the above can be expressed as follows:

�6�#�G �)B�=��OUV� �$�% KL�3

All the professors attended

�!�"� �% KL�3 All of them

�0/�1�2 also means ‘all’.

�)B�=��OUV� �0/�1�2 �6�#�G All the professors attended

��/�1�2�!�" All of them

We cannot say

� �% �0/�1�2�!�" �

10.1.5 '�3 /����9�3 (both)

(a) To say ‘both of’ we use '�3 (m) and ����9�3 (f) which require a �-��#�% ���.�/� (possessor) after them.

When the �-��#�% ���.�/� (possessor) is a �Z�1� �%�L�[*� (attached pronoun), '�3 and ����9�3 behave like ���\* ]�1 (the

dual). When ����[� �% and �TQ�6�R�% they are 9�3�Y and ���9�3�Y . As is self evident, the �-��#�% ���.�/� (possessor)

must be a ]�%_\ (dual) pronoun: ��1�:, �3��1 , or �D� . Any �6�F�P (predicate) stays �@�6�<�% (singular).

��1�:'�3 /��1�:����9�3 Both of them

'�3�3��1 Both of you

'�3�D� Both of us

�����( ��1�:'�3 Both of them are students

��1�"�/9�3 �$�% /��1�"�/���9�3 From both of them

�/9�3 B�P5���8�/�F��� \��� ��1 He took both of you home

(b) If however, ����-��#�1 ���.�/� (the possessor) is an ��!�O (noun), '�3 and ����9�3 becomes Y� �F�%�a��UV� \9�,

(fixed on alif) which does not turn into H , even when ����[� �% or �TQ�6�R�% .

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�$�/��* �R��� ����9�3 Both gardens �$�/���������� '�3 Both books

�$�/��* �R��� ����9�3 L�P�@ He entered both

gardens �$�/���������� '�3 �!�"� He understood both

books

�$�/��* �R��� ����9�3 Y�� In both gardens �$�/���������� '�3 �$�% From both books

(c) If the two items are two different entities, we use �$�% KL�3 ... �Q... .

KL�3 ���:N�6��c������Q �d�/�e*6�� �$�% Both the president and the minister went

�8� �F����Q �+������ �$�% KL�3 �6�#�G Both the boy and the girl attended

10.2 Comparison

10.2.1 �L�]�%)�;�]�%5( means ‘s.th. similar’.

�6���� Y��5 �;�]�%5 The likes of Abu Bakr

�$�% ���:�;�]�%5�6���� Y��5 He is of the likes of Abu Bakr

�.���]�%5 �h'h Three times as much (lit. three of its like)

(a) �L�]�% may be used as a �-��#�% (possessed) to mean ‘like’ .

�]�% �i� ��� �i�9 Your son is like you

�i���/�� �L�]�% Y���/�� My house is like your house

(b) Note that the preposition >3 may also express this meaning.

���/��Y�i���/�F3 My house is like your house

>3 cannot be attached to a �Z�1� (pronoun) so we cannot say ‘ 3�. ’ for ‘like him’. To overcome this,

we insert �L�]�% in between.

3�9�]�1�. Like him

�D53�9�]�1�i I am like you

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�d�/� j3�9�]�1 k l��Y�m �.)42:11( There is nothing like him

10.3 Negativisation of Verbal Nouns

���+�, (non-existence/lack)

���+�, as an isolated verbal noun means ‘non-existence’ or ‘lack’ and is the opposite of �@��2�Q (existence).

���+�, as a �-��#�% (possessed) noun is used to negativise �T�@��[�1��� (verbal nouns) to produce constructs

which in English are expressed by the prefixes ‘non-’, ‘un-’, ‘in-’ and ‘dis-’.

�@��2����� ���+�, Nonexistence (lit. Lack of existence)

�;��Pn+�� �$�% �8�/�F��� Y�� �I�@��2�Q ���+�, Y� ��� �% Your not being in the house prevented me from

entering

�2 l��Y�m �� ���% �i�O��9�2 ���+�,�+��+ Your not sitting with us is a new phenomenon

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��������������

���F�O)����F�O5( reason, cause sababun (asbaabun)

�6�[�,)�T��[�,( afternoon; age, era, epoch ⊂aSrun (⊂uSuurun)

���6�o�%)���T��o�%( place or time of sunset;

west maghribun (maghaaribu)

� ���6�o�1�� /� �@'�����6�o�1�� Maghrib, northwest Africa al-maghribu / bilaadu al-maghribi

�p�6�q�%)�p�T��q�%( place of sunrise, east mashriqun (mashaariqu)

Y���p�T��q�%��"���T��o�%�Q �S�TUV� throughout the world fi mashaariqi al-arDi wa maghaaribihaa

l��Y�m)X���/�m5( thing shay’un (ashyaa’u)

�J��D people naasun

��T)������T5( lord rabbun (arbaabun)

�+�/�2) �@��/�2 , sQ /�4t( excellent; good jayyidun (jiyaadun, uuna / aatun)

�+�/�2 �6�/u not good ghayru jayyidin

�L�:v �w�6�/u �+�G5 �6�#�G did anyone else attend? hal HaDara aHadun ghayruhu

���+�, non-existence, lack ⊂adamun

�L�]�%)�;�]�%5( something similar mithlun (amthaalun)

�L�]�% like mithlu

3�9�]�1�. like him kamithlihi

������ some; one ba⊂Dun

������ �J�* �� some people ba⊂Du an-naasi

�)*+�, several, a number of ⊂iddatun

KL�3 all; every kullun

���Y�m ML�3 everything kullu shay’in

�;��G xL�3 \9�, in any case; in every case ⊂ala kulli Haalin

�8�7�Q xL�3 Y�� /�y�G always fi kulli waqtin / Hiinin

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�!������� ����z�D5 xL�3 Y�� all over the world fi kulli anHaa’i al-⊂aalami

�$�% KL�3 ...�Q... both … and … Kullun min … wa…

�0/�1�2 all jamee⊂un

ML����� /����0/�1�R everybody al-kullu / al-jamee⊂u

�*%��, generality ⊂aammatun

*%��,�J�* �� � the common people /

masses ⊂aammatu an-naasi

'�3 /����9�3 both of (m/f) kilaa / kiltaa

�$�% KL�3 ...�Q... both x and y kilaa / kiltaa

���Y�m nH5 anything ayyu shay’in

v �i�1�O� ��% what is your name ? ma smuka

�� �: here huna

�: �I�� /�i���� �: there hunaaka / hunaalika

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151

Exercise 10.1 Express in English

{ .j �!/�9�, �!�9�, H�N xL�3 �p����Q k)�a�O��� 12:76( ٢ .��:�+���� �$���G L�A�Q�Q �J�* �� �0/�1�2 L�F7 �!���6�% �89�A�Q ٣ .*1�z�% �Y�F* �� ����z�A5 �d9�2�.����G �+�6���� ���5 �!�"� �/���Q ٤ .�e��% �$�% ���z�D �|��1���2�}� �6�#�G�!������� ����z�D5 xL�3 �$�% ���=�3

������ xL�3 �6�R� (morphology) ٥ .�-�6*[���Q ���z* �� Y�� �!�"�F���3 ��&'M~�� ML�3 5�67

٦ .\9�, �� �9�P�@XV� �O���N��� �/�$��� ���[�6�Q ����1�o�6���� ������� �RX�1��� ٧ .5�P�B�D&~�� ��6��� �D�z���% &��Q �Q�A�9� �� ��Q Y�7�8��� ���[�6 ٨ .�29��� � �=�z�8�m �1�d�% &�*q�� �+�+��)�G �/�C�2 9�d�, *%��* �� �J��% �$�% �q�T��pUV� �T�S�Q �%�o�T����"� ٩ .j �Tn���� �1�q�67�/�$�Q �Tn���� �1�o�6���/�$ k)�6�� $55:17( ١٠ .�3ML�m �Y���� �/�$�� �+���i�� �3 YxL�Q �7�8�Q �G�y ١١ .5�%]�;�5 ���� Y���6u �/�6�% ���2�@��)�� �c Y�%�D�� � ١٢ .����F�O5 �)*+���� �i�� Y����h ���+�,

١٣ .5 �$�% ��D5�+�/�2 �6�/u Y� n ���� �!�"�#�����Q ?�+�/�2 �J�* �� ������ Y� n ���� �i���]�%

١٤ .5�P�B�4�3 �9���� ��+���.�� �/�$�� �+*H�Q �7�9�8� �.�� ����3 �9�1�4�7 ��*�� ١٥ .�%�2 �9���8�% ���.u �/�6� �/9� – �8��9�2��/9?�Q �G��+?) }u �/�6

Exercise 10.2 Express in Arabic

1. Did anyone other than him enter? No, not before him and nor after him.

2. Non-being is the absence of being.

3. In any case, all our money is at your disposal at all times.

4. The matter is between him and his Lord.

5. We went where all the people went and arrived between mid-afternoon and sunset.

6. We found in his statement both the good and the not-good so we took only the good.

7. Hasan sat reading his six books throughout the night / all night.

8. We found a number of reasons for our lack of mutual understanding.

9. He said an incorrect word to me and didn’t say any other word (lit. any word other than it).

10. He is a strong man and the likes of him are few in our time.

11. He hit him a number of times without reason.

12. Some people think you are not good, and I have found you (to be) very good.

13. Your son is like you in both your traits (qualities): patience and trust.

14. I read his statement a thousand times in several books by authors from all over the world.

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������������ � �������� Chapter 11

Doubled and Hamzated Verbs

In the Preliminaries chapter we learned that the letters � , � and � are weak letters. A weak letter is

called ������� � ���� (lit. letter of weakness). When a verb is produced from a root containing a ������� � ����

(weak letter), we call it a �������� ������ (weak verb). We shall learn about ���������� �������� (weak verbs) in chapter

twelve.

When the root of a verb does not contain any ������� � ����� (weak letters), we call it a ������������ (strong

verb). All the �������� (verbs) we have encountered so far are ������ (strong). The ������������ (strong verb)

is of three types,

1. �!���" (sound: the root is made up of three different ������ (strong) letters and does not

contain a �#�$�%�& ) 2. �'(��)�� (doubled: the second and third root letters are the same)

3. �*+�%�,�� (hamzated: the root contains a hamza)

11.1 ����������� ��������� (The doubled verb)

A ������ (verb) in which the second and third root letters are the same is called a �'(��)�� ������ (doubled

verb). We have already encountered nouns derived from ‘doubled’ roots such as, �-.�-�/ (from 0 - /),

������1 (from � � 1) and ��(%�2 (from ! % 2). In �������� (verbs) derived from ‘doubled’ roots, the identical

second and third letters are assimilated. This is called �3��4�0�5 (assimilation) and is indicated by the

symbol 67 called a �#(-�8 above the doubled letter. Using the � � � root template, we say that the �������'(��)�� (doubled verb) derives from a �� � root and assimilates to render ���� . The �9�:��)�� (imperfect) is

;�<=�. , ;��=�. or ;��=�. .

11.1.1 Form I

From the root - : 0 we have the verb (0�:)?0���.( (to return; reject) which unassimilated would have

read �0�0�:)�0�0���. ( like ���A�B) �B��C�.( .

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153

(0�:)?0���. (�0�: D E�F0�:��E�0 (to return) is conjugated � G���G�2��% (in the perfect) as follows.

DRILL #9

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

������� They returned

(2)

����� They (two) returned

(1)

���� He returned

Masculine

(6)

�������� They returned

(5)

������� They (two) returned

(4)

����� She returned

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

�������!��

You returned

(8)

����������� You (two) returned

(7)

������� You returned

Masculine

(12)

�������"�� You returned

(11)

����������� You (two) returned

(10)

������� You returned

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

��������# We returned

(13)

������� I returned

Masculine and

Feminine

First

person

Notice that from the third person feminine plural (box 6) onwards, the second and third root letters are

not assimilated.

(0�:)?0���. (�0�: D E�F0�:��E�0 (to return) is conjugated � G���9�:��)�% (in the imperfect) as follows.

DRILL #10

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

����$��� They return

(2)

����$��� They (two) return

(1)

����$ He returns

Masculine

(6)

������$�� They return

(5)

�������� They (two) return

(4)

����� She returns

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

��������

You return

(8)

�������� You (two) return

(7)

����� You return

Masculine

(12)

��������� You return

(11)

�������� You (two) return

(10)

%�����"$ You return

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

����# We return

(13)

�����& I return

Masculine and

Feminine

First

person

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154

The �H+�I�J�� of the �'(��)�� ������ (doubled verb) obeys the same principle as the ������ �������!���" (sound

strong verb).

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

����$ �"���� They will never return

(2)

����$ �"��� They will never return

(1)

����$ �"�� He will never return

Masculine

(6)

������$ �"���� They will never return

(5)

����� �"��� They will never return

(4)

�"�� ����� She will never return

Feminine

Third person

(9) (8)

(7)

The �3��$�K�� of the �'(��)�� ������ (doubled verb) can be produced in two ways. We can use the regular

method and say �0�0���. �!� (which is the most commonly found in the Quran) or we can say (0���. �!� in which

the �3��$�K�� is indicated by a �������� so that it looks identical to the �H+�I�J�� . The first unassimilated method

does not occur with <��L�%�M� <�����NO� (the five verbs) in which the �3��$�K�� is indicated by �P+?J� � Q��

(omission of the nun).

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

����$ �!����� They did not return

(2)

����$ �!��� They did not return

(1)

�!�� ������$ /����$ He did not return

Masculine

(6)

������$ �!���� They did not return

(5)

����� �!��� They did not return

(4)

�!�� ������� / ����� She did not return

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

����� �!�����

You did not return

(8)

����� �!��� You did not return

(7)

������� �!��/ ����� You did not return

Masculine

(12)

������� �!���� You did not return

(11)

����� �!��� You did not return

(10)

� %���� �!�� You did not return

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

������# �!�� /����# We did not return

(13)

�!�� �������& /�����& I did not return

Masculine

and

Feminine

First

person

The ���R��=� �!�"� (Active Participle) of the �'(��)�� ������ (doubled verb) is of the form ����� so from (0�: we

have S0��: (one who returns; rejects).

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155

The ��+�,�K�%�� SG�J�T�� (passive) of (0�:)?0���.( is (0�:)?0���.( (it was returned). From the third person feminine

plural (box 6) onwards, the second and third root letters are not assimilated. For example, for the first

person, we have �U�0�0�: (I was returned).

The ��+��=�%� �!�"� (Passive Participle) of the �'(��)�� ������ (doubled verb) is of the form ��+<�=�� so from (0�: we have �0��0���� (returned; rejected).

The �G�,(J� <����� (negative imperative verb) being �3��$�K�� is of the form �<�=�V �W or ��<=�V �W .

(3)

����� �(��

Do not return!

(2)

����� �(� Do not return!

(1)

�( ������� /����� Do not return!

Masculine

(6)

������� �(�� Do not return!

(5)

����� �(� Do not return!

(4)

%���� �(� Do not return!

Feminine

Second person

The ����NO� <����� (imperative verb) being �. ��� X���R SG�J�T���Y�R�:��)�� �Y�����R �3�$�K (fixed on what the imperfect is

made �3��$�K�� upon) is of the form �<��<� or ��<� rendering �0�0�:<� or (0�: (return!). Notice that it looks exactly

the same as the ��+�,�K�%�� SG�J�T�� (passive), (0�: (it was returned).

(3)

�������

Return!

(2)

����� Return!

(1)

��������/���� Return!

Masculine

(6)

���������� Return!

(5)

����� Return!

(4)

%���� Return!

Feminine

Second person

�: �Z(0(G��5 Return in to me

�:?0 �Z��[� G��5 Refer it to Allah

We may summarise the above as follows.

Negative Imper. Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�W �0�0���V /(0���V �0�0�:<�/(0�: E�0��0�: D E�F0�: �0��0���� �+�,�� ?0���. (0�: S0��: �+�,�� ?0���. (0�: Don’t return! Return! Return Returned So he

is

He is

returned He was

returned A returner So he

is He

returns He

returned

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156

Like the �!���" ������ ������ (sound strong verb), there is variation in the vowelling of the �9�:��)�� (imperfect). We have,

(!�V)�.?!�� (E����%�V (to be complete) which unassimilated would have read �!�%�V)�!�%���.( like �]���/)�]���K�.( .

���) ;��_�. (EW+<�< (to continue to be) which unassimilated would have read �����) <���_�.( like �!�,��) �!�,=�.( .

The first person is � ���� (I continued to be) like � �%�,�� .

You should assume that ���=(��)�� �������� (doubled verbs) are conjugated in the perfect like (��� i.e. �U�:���� . Verbs of the ��� type are indicated in the dictionary and vocabulary lists by providing the first person

perfect in brackets after the imperfect in the following way, � ��)6N) (�� ���( . In derived forms II

onwards, the variations that exist in the perfect and imperfect of Form I do not occur.

11.1.2 Form II

Form II of the (��)�� �������' (doubled verb) behaves in the same was as the �!���" ������ ������ (sound strong

verb).

�0(-�/)�0a-�K�. (E�-.�-�K�V (To renew)

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�0a-�K�V �W �0a-�/ E�-.�-�K�V �0(-�K�� �+�,�� �0(-�K�. �0a-�/ �0a-�K�� �+�,�� �0a-�K�. �0(-�/ Don’t renew! Renew! Renewal Renewed So it

is

It is

renewed It was

renewed A renewer So he

is He

renews He

renewed

11.1.3 Form V

Form V of the �'(��)�� ������ (doubled verb) also behaves in the same was as the �!���" ������ ������ (sound

strong verb).

�0(0���V) �0(0�����. (0?0���VE� (To hesitate)

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�0(0�����V �W �0(0���V 0?0���VE� �0(0������ �+�,�� �0(0�����. �0a0���V �0a0������ �+�,�� �0(0�����. �0(0���V Don’t

hesitate! Hesitate! Hesitation - So he

is - - A hesitator So he

is He

hesitates He

hesitated

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157

11.1.4 Form III

(b���)?b����.) (� �K�/��� (E�/��K�� (to argue, dispute)

Negative Imper. Positive Imper. Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�W �c�/����V /�V (b��� �c�/��� /(b��� /��K��E� Sb����� �+�,�� �.?b��� (b+�� ��Sb��� �+�,�� �.?b��� (b��� Don’t argue! Argue! Argument Argued So it

is

It is argued

It was argued An arguer So he

is He argues He argued

11.1.5 Form VI

(H����V )?H������.() �T�d����V� (E�Fd����V (to love one another)

Negative Imper. Positive Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�W �B�d������V /(H������V �B�d����V /(H����V E�T�d����V D E�Fd����V SH������� �+�,�� ?H������. (H+���V SH������� �+�,�� ?H������. (H����V

Don’t love one another! Love one another! Mutual love - So he

is - - Loving So he

is They love

one

another

They

loved one

another

11.1.6 Form IV

(B����)?B���.) (� �T�T���� (E�d��T���5 (to love)

Negative Imper. Positive Imper. Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�W �B�T���V /(B���V �B�T���� / (B���� E�d��T���5 SB���� �+�,�� ?B���. (B��<� SB���� �+�,�� ?B���. (B���� Don’t love! Love! Love Loved So he

is

He is

loved He was

loved One who

loves So he

is He loves He loved

11.1.7 Form VII

(e�f�g�) ?e�f�J�.) (� h�h�f�g� (�E�1��h�f�g (to be split)

Negative Imper. Positive Imper. Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�W �e�h�f�J�V / �V(e�f�J �e�h�f�g� /(e�f�g� �E�1��h�f�g Se�f�J�� �+�,�� ?e�f�J�. (e�f�g<� Se�f�J�� �+�,�� ?e�f�J�. (e�f�g� Don’t split! Split! Splitting - So it

is - - Split So it

is It is split It was

split

Notice that the Active and Passive participles look exactly the same.

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158

11.1.8 Form VIII

(-�V�:��) ?-�V���.) (�U�0�-�V�:�� (E�0��-�V�:�� (to turn back)

Negative Imper. Positive Imper. Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�W �0�-�V���V /(-�V���V �0�-�V�:� /�(-�V�: ��E�0��-�V�: S-�V���� �+�,�� ?-�V���. (-�V�:<� S-�V���� �+�,�� ?-�V���. �(-�V�: Don’t turn back! Turn back!

Turning back - So he

is - - One who

turns back So he

is He turns

back He turned

back

11.1.9 Form X

(e�����"� )?e�����L�.) (� h�h�����"� (E�1��h�����"� (to deserve)

Negative Imper. Positive Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�W �e�h�����L�V /(e�����L�V �e�h�����"� /�(e�����" E�1��h�����"� Se�����L�� �+�,�� ?e�����L�. (e�����"<� Se�����L�� �+�,�� ?e�����L�. (e�����"� Don’t deserve! Deserve! Deserving Deserved So it

is

It is

deserved It was

deserved One who

deserves So he

is He

deserves He

deserved

11.1.10 ������������ ���������)����*��� (The doubled quadriliteral verb)

Most Arabic roots are made of three letters. These are called SG�i�j<i (triliteral). There are a few roots that

are made of four letters. These are called SG�R��d�: (quadriliteral). They conjugate in the same way as the

SG�i�j<i (triliteral).

Quadriliteral Form I

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�!�/�����V �W ���V�!�/ E��%�/���V �!�/������ �+�,�� �!�/�����. �!�/���V �!�/������ �+�,�� �!�/�����. ���V�!�/ Don’t

translate! Translate! Translation Translated So it

is

It is

translated It was

translated Translator So he

is He

translates He

translated

The quadriliteral �'(��)�� ������ (doubled verb) is of the form ���=��� . The verb �k�+�"��)�k�+�"�+�.( means to

whisper. It is conjugated like the regular quadriliteral verb.

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

Verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�W�k�+�"�+�V �k�+�"�� �+�"��E��" �k�+�"�+�� �+�,�� �k�+�"�+�. �k�+�"�� �k�+�"�+�� �+�,�� �k�+�"�+�. �k�+�"�� Don’t whisper! Whisper! Whisper Whispered So it

is

It is

whispered It was

whispered Whisperer So he

is He whispers He

whispered

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159

11.2 ����� ����������+,���- (The hamzated verb)

Verbs derived from roots containing a �#�$�%�& are called �*+�%�,�� (hamzated). They are generally

unproblematic apart from a few phonetic and orthographic changes. A �*+�%�,�� ������ (hamzated verb) may

have a �#�$�%�& as the initial, medial or terminal root letter.

11.2.1 Verbs with initial �#�$�%�&

(a) Form I

In Form I, the perfect and imperfect of initial �#�$�%�& verbs behave like regular verbs, �Q�l��)<Q�lm�.( (to

take), ���A��)<�<Am�.( (to eat), ������)<���m�.( (to hope), �P�n��)�nm�.<P( (to permit) and ������)����m�.( (to order).

Phonetics

When �P��V�$�%�& (two hamzas) are consecutive, the first �oa������� (vowelled) and

the second �p�A��" (vowelless), the second changes to a long vowel � , � or �

corresponding to the vowel on the first �#�$�%�& . This is called ����,�L�V (pronouncing a long vowel in the place of �#�$�%�& , lit. making easy).

����,�L�V (pronouncing a long vowel in the place of �#�$�%�&) occurs in first person imperfect of initial �#�$�%�& verbs, rendering,

<Q�lq (I take)rather than <Q�l��� <�<Aq (I eat) rather than <�<A��� <���q (I hope) rather than <������ <P�nq (I permit) rather than <P�n��� and

����q (I order) rather than �������.

Orthography

When a �#�$�%�& carrying a �������� is followed by an � , the two are assimilated

and a �#(-�� (symbol representing elongation) is placed over the alif q .

i

i

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160

The above orthography change occurs in the ���R��=� �!�"� (Active Participle) of the initial �#�$�%�& verb

rendering,

�Q�lq (taker) for �Q�l��� ���Aq (one who eats) for ���A��� ����q (one who hopes) for ������� �P�nq (one who permits) for �P�n��� and

����q (one who orders) for �������

The ��+��=�%� �!�"� (Passive Participle) of the initial �#�$�%�& verb is regular. We have m���n+�l (taken), ��+<Am�� (eaten), ��+��m�� (hoped), �P�<nm�� (permitted) and �:+��m�� (ordered).

The ����NO� <����� (imperative verb) of initial �#�$�%�& verbs usually follows the regular form. When it is at the

beginning of a �����%�/ (sentence) and not preceded by any ���A���� (vowel) the �#�$�%�& undergoes ����,�L�V (pronouncing a long vowel in the place of �#�$�%�&). From ������ we have �����<� (hope!) for ����r<� and from �P�n�� we have P�Q�.�� (Permit!) for P�Qs�� . When it is preceded by a ���A���� (vowel) there is no ����,�L�V and the �#�$�%�& is retained, sitting on its seat, rendering 6����r� (hope!) and 6P�Qs� (permit!). When preceded by �� or t�� the �#�$�%�& sits on an alif and the ��� �+� <#�$�%�& is omitted rendering ����� � (and hope!) and P�nm�� (so permit!).

�� u �G� P�Qs� <�+<h�. �p�� �!�,�J��...w And among them are those who say, ‘permit me …’ (al-Quran 9:49)

The ����NO� <����� (imperative verb) of the two verbs �Q�l�� (to take) and ���A�� (to eat) is truncated by dropping

the initial �#�$�%�& rendering Q�l (take!) rather than Q�l�r<� and �<A (eat!) rather than �<A�r<� .

E����d�:�� Q�M�� u... w So take four … (al-Quran 2:260)

u �x�:NO� G�� �(%�� �+<�<A...w Eat of what is on the earth …’ (al-Quran 2:168)

The ����NO� <����� (imperative verb) of ������ (to order) can be produced using both the regular and the

truncated form. When it is at the beginning of a �����%�/ (sentence) and not preceded by any ���A���� (vowel)

it is obligatory to use the truncated form ���� (order!). When it is preceded by a ���A���� (vowel), we are

given the choice of using the truncated form ���� or the regular form 6�����r� and ������� .

w ��,�����R ���T� ��� �#�j(I��d �y���&�� ������� u And command your folk to pray and persevere upon it (al-Quran 20:132)

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We may summarise the above as follows:

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

Verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

Q�lm�V �W Q�l E�Q�l�� �n+�lm�� �+�,�� <Q�l�z�. �Q�l<� �Q�lq �+�,�� <Q�lm�. �Q�l�� Don’t take! Take! Taking Taken So it

is It is taken It was

taken A taker So he

is He takes He took

m�V �W�<A �<A ��EjA m����+<A �+�,�� �z�.<��A <����A q���A �+�,�� m�.<�<A �����A Don’t eat! Eat!

Eating;

food Eaten So it

is It is eaten It was

eaten One who

eats So he

is He eats He ate

���m�V �W

�����<� / 6�����r/

������ {Ej���� ��+��m�� �+�,�� �z�.<��� ����<� ����q �+�,�� <���m�. ������

Don’t hope! Hope! Hope Hoped So it

is

It is hoped

It was hoped

One who hopes

So he

is He hopes He hoped

P�nm�V �W

P�Q�.��/ 6�P�Qs/

P�n��� E�gn�5 �P�<nm�� �+�,�� <P�n�z�. �P�n<� �P�nq �+�,�� <P�nm�. �P�n��

Don’t

permit! Permit! Permission Permitted So he

is

He is

permitted He was

permitted One who

permits So he

is He

permits He

permitted

m�V �W����

����/

6�r����/ �������

E������ m���:+�� �+�,�� �z�.���� <����� q���� �+�,�� m�.���� ������

Don’t order! Order! Order Ordered So he

is

He is

ordered He was

ordered One who

orders So he

is He orders He

ordered

The following is exposition of the forms that usually cause students problems. Unproblematic forms

have been left out.

(b) Form III

In Form III we have the verb �Q�lq (to reproach) from �Q�l��� .

�Q�lq may be summarized as follows.

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

Verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�WQ�l|�V Q�lq E#�Q�l|�� �l|���Q �+�,�� |�.<Q�l <����Q�l ���Q�l| �+�,�� �l|�.<Q q�Q�l Don’t

reproach! Reproach! Reproach Reproached So he

is

He is reproached

He was reproached

A reproacher

So he

is He

reproaches He

reproached

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162

(c) Form IV

In Form IV we have the verbs �p��q (to believe) and ���iq (to prefer) from �p����� and ���i��� . As is evident, the

perfect verb of Form IV looks the same as that of Form III. The imperfect verbs are of course different.

����,�L�V (pronouncing a long vowel in the place of �#�$�%�&) occurs in the passive perfect rendering ��<��p�� (it

was believed) for �p���r<� and ��<����i (it was preferred) for ���i�r<� .

We also have ����,�L�V in the �:�-�I�� (Verbal Noun) redering �P��%�.�5 (belief) for �P��%s�5 and �:��}�.�5 (preference)

for �:��}s�5 .

�p��q and ���iq may be summarized as follows.

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

Verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�V �W�z�p�� �p��q E�g��%�.�5 ���z�p�� �+�,�� �.�z�p�� ��<��p�� �p���z�� �+�,�� �p���z�. �p��q Don’t

believe! Believe! Belief Believed So it

is

It is

believed It was

believed A believer So he

is He

believed He believed

�V �W���i�z q���i :��}�.�5E� �����i�z �+�,�� �.���i�z �<����i �����i�z �+�,�� �.���i�z q���i Don’t prefer! Prefer! Preference Preferred So it

is

It is preferred

It was preferred

One who prefers

So he

is He prefers He preferred

(d) Form VIII

In Form VIII two variations occur. We have the regular form ���%��s�� (to conspire; conference) in which

����,�L�V is permitted rendering ���%���.�� .

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

Verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

���%�Vm�V �W ���%��s�� /���%���.��

E�:��%��s�� /E�:��%���.��

���%�V�z�� �+�,�� ���%�V�z�. ���%�V��<� ���%�V�z�� �+�,�� ���%�Vm�. ���%��s�� /���%���.��

Don’t

conspire! Conspire! Conspiracy Conspired So it

is

It is

conspired It was

conspired A conspirer So he

is He

conspires He

conspired

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163

In some verbs, the �#�$�%�& changes to a U and assimilates with the U of Form VIII. From �Q�l�� (to take)

we have �Q�M(V� (to take up, adopt) rather than �Q�M��s� .

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

Verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

Q�M(��V �W Q�M(V� n��MaV�E� �Q�M(��� �+�,�� <Q�M(��. �Q�M?V<� �Q�M(��� �+�,�� <Q�M(��. �Q�M(V� Don’t take

up! Take up! Taking up Taken up So it

is

It is taken up

It was taken up

One who takes up

So he

is He takes

up He took up

11.2.2 Verbs with medial �#�$�%�&

Verbs with medial �#�$�%�& are in general regular.

An anomaly occurs with the ����NO� <����� (imperative verb) of ���m�" (to ask). It can be prouduced using the

regular form rendering ��m�"�� (ask!) and also by truncating it by dropping the �#�$�%�& and shifting the �������� forward onto the t" rendering ��" (ask!). When it is at the beginning of a �����%�/ (sentence) and not

preceded by any ���A���� (vowel) it is obligatory to use the truncated form ��" (ask!). When it is preceded

by a ���A���� (vowel), we are given the choice of using the truncated form ����L (so ask!)or the regular

form 6��m�"� or 6��m�" .

����s����"�5 �G�J�d ��" u... w Ask the children of Israel … (al-Quran 2:211)

����s����"�5 �G�J�d ��~�L�� u... w So ask the children of Israel … (al-Quran 17:101)

u N [� �+<��~�"��... w And ask Allah … (al-Quran 4:32)

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164

������ ������ ������ Chapter 12

Weak Verbs

In the Preliminaries chapter we learned that the letters � , � and � are weak letters. A weak letter is

called ������� � ���� (lit. letter of weakness) and if positioned at the end of a noun, produces a �������������

(weak noun).

When a verb is produced from a root containing a ������� � ���� (weak letter), we call it a �������� ������ (weak

verb) and it undergoes certain phonetic changes. If the ������� � ���� (weak letter) is initial we call it ��������������� (initial weak). If it is medial we call it ��������� ��� �! (hollow weak) and if it is terminal we call it ���������"�#��$ (terminal weak).

12.1 ���������� �� ������ (The initial weak verb)

If the initial letter of the root is a ������� � ���� (weak letter) the verb is called ������� .

12.1.1 Form I

In form I, if the ������� � ���� (weak letter) is a � it is usually dropped �%�&��'�(� )�� (in the imperfect).

�*� ��)�*�,�-( To find

���/��)0��1�-( To arrive

�2�3��) �2���-( To trust

�4�5��)�4�'�-( To fall

However, there are some rare instances when the � is not dropped �%�&��'�(� )�� (in the imperfect).

�6�5��)�6�5���-( To be pure

If the ������� � ���� (weak letter) is a � it is not dropped ��'�(� )���%�& (in the imperfect).

�7�8�-)07�8�9�-( To wake up

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12.1.2 Form II

Form II of the ��������������� (initial weak) verb behaves in the same way as the �:9�;�/ ������ (sound verb).

�*<���)�*=����- (>�*9�����? (To unify; declare God is One lit. make one)

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

Verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�*=����? �@ �*=��� >�*9�����? �*<����� ���A�� �*<����- �*=��� ���*=��� ���A�� �*=����- �*<��� Don’t unite! Unite! Unity United So it

is

It is

united It was

united A uniter So he

is He unites He united

12.1.3 Form V

Form V of the ��������������� (initial weak) verb behaves in the same way as the �:9�;�/ ������ (sound verb).

�B< ���?)�B< �����- (>�AC ���? (To face)

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

Verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�@�B< �����? �?�B< �� >�AC ���? �B< ������ ���A�� �B< �����- �B= ���? �B= ������ ���A�� �B< �����- �B< ���? Don’t face! Face! Facing Faced So it

is It is faced It was

faced One who

faces So he

is He faces He faced

12.1.4 Form III

Form III of the ��������������� (initial weak) verb behaves in the same way as the �:9�;�/ ������ (sound verb).

���/���)0��/����- (>����/����� D >@��/�� (To continue)

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

Verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�@��/����? ��/��� D >@��/��>����/�����

���/����� ���A�� 0��/����- ���/���� ���/����� ���A�� 0��/����- ���/���

Don’t

continue! Continue! Continuance Continued So it

is

It is

continued It was

continued A continuer So he

is He

continues He

continued

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12.1.5 Form VI

Form VI of the ��������������� (initial weak) verb behaves in the same way as the �:9�;�/ ������ (sound verb).

�? ���/���)�-���/���0� (�?����/>E (To be interconnected)

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

Verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�@��/������? ��/����? >E�/����? ���/������� ���A�� 0��/������- ���/�����? �����/����� ���A�� 0��/������- ���/����? Don’t connect! Connect! Connection Connected So it

is

It is

connected It was

connected Connected So it

is It is

connected It was

connected

12.1.6 Form IV

Form IV of the ��������������� (initial weak) verb behaves in the same way as the �:9�;�/ ������ (sound verb).

The � in the �&�*�1�� (verbal noun) changes to � as a phonetic change so that for � ��#���F we have � ��8�-�F .

�G�#���!)�G�#���- (>����8�-�F (To stop s.o/s.th)

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

Verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�? �@�G�#�� �G�#���! >����8�-�F �G�#���� ���A�� �G�#���- �G�#��0! �G�#���� ���A�� �G�#���- �G�#���! Don’t stop! Stop! Stopping Stopped So it

is

It is

stopped It was

stopped One who

stops So he

is He stops He

stopped

12.1.7 Form VII

The ��������������� (initial weak) verb does not permutate into Form VII.

12.1.8 Form VIII

Form VIII of the ��������������� (initial weak) verb undergoes a phonetic change. The � changes to a H

which then assimilates with the H following it. From the root �/ � , we find that ���1�?���� is rendered

into ���1<?�� .

���1<?�) 0��1<��- ( >@��1=?�)I�J( (To be connected (to))

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

Verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�@��1<��? ��1<?� >@��1=?� ���1<��� ���A�� 0��1<��- ���1C?0� ���1<��� ���A�� 0��1<��- ���1<?� Don’t

connect! Connect! Connection Connected So it

is

It is

connected It was

connected One who

connects So he

is He

connects He was

connecte

d

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167

12.1.9 Form X

Form X of the ��������������� (initial weak) verb behaves in the same way as the �:9�;�/ ������ (sound verb).

The � in the �&�*�1�� (verbal noun) changes to � as a phonetic change so that for �K��&�������� we have �K����9������ .

�K�&������� )�K�&�����L�- (>�K����9������ (To import)

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

Verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�@�K�&�����L�? �K�&������� >�K����9������ �K�&�����L�� ���A�� �K�&�����L�- �K�&�����0� �K�&�����L�� ���A�� �K�&�����L�- �K�&������� Don’t import! Import! Importation Imported So it

is

It is

imported It was

imported An

importer So he

is He

imports He

imported

12.2 ���������� �������� (The hollow weak verb)

If the medial letter of the root is a ������� � ���� (weak letter) the verb is called � ��� �! (hollow).

12.2.1 Form I

In form I the medial � or � is dropped � )���)�5��(� �����M (in the perfect verb). The root of the verb ‘to

say’ isN�N� N# (qa-wa-la). The Arabs consider this heavy on the tongue and so they drop the �� leaving:

N– NN� # (qa – ala)

�;�����P��� (two fathas) are equivalent to an alif so we arrive at ����# (qaala). The � reappears )�� ������M ��%�&��'�( (in the imperfect verb) redering, 0��08�- (he says) and also in the �&�*�1�� (verbal noun) �����#

(statement).

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168

����#)08�-0�� (>@���# (to say) is conjugated � )��)�5��( (in the perfect) as follows.

DRILL #11

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

���� They said

(2)

�!� They (two) said

(1)

��� He said

Masculine

(6)

�"�#� * They said

(5)

��� �� They (two) said

(4)

��� �% She said

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

�#� �&��

You said

(8)

�#� ���� You (two) said

(7)

�#� �% You said

Masculine

(12)

�#� '"�� You said

(11)

�#� ���� You (two) said

(10)

�#� �% You said

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

�#� �( We said

(13)

�#� �% I said

Masculine and

Feminine

First

person

* originally 0#���R

����#)0��08�- (>@���# (to say) is conjugated � )���%�&��'�( (in the imperfect) as follows.

DRILL #12

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�����)�*���+ They say

(2)

��!���)�*�+ They (two) say

(1)

�����)�* He says

Masculine

(6)

�#�)�*�" They say

(5)

�!���)�,�+ They (two) say

(4)

�����)�, She says

Feminine

Third person

(9)

�����)�,���+

You say

(8)

�!���)�,�+ You (two) say

(7)

�����)�, You say

Masculine

(12)

�#�)�,�" You say

(11)

�!���)�,�+ You (two) say

(10)

���)�,�-���" You say

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

���)���� We say

(13)

��� �.�� I say

Masculine

and

Feminine

First

person

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169

The �S��1�T�� of the ������� ��� �! (hollow verb) obeys the same principle as the �:9�;�/ ������ (sound verb).

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�"�� �������)�* They will never say

(2)

�"����!���)�* They will never say

(1)

�"�������)�* He will never say

Masculine

(6)

�"���"�#�)�* They will never say

(5)

�"���!���)�, They will never say

(4)

�"�� �����)�, She will never say

Feminine

Third

person

(9) (8) (7)

The �U��V�,�� of the ������� ��� �! (hollow verb) undergoes a phonetic change. Placing ��� before 0��08�- renders

���08�- ��� . This suffers from WX��8��� ��R�9�T�Y�<L (the meeting of two vowelless consonants cf. P6). This is

overcome by dropping the � rendering �08�- ��� . The � remains on 0��L�(�Z� 0�����N[� )(the five verbs) in

which the �U��V�,�� case is indicated by �P�CT� � \�� (omission of the nun).

DRILL #13

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�)�* �&�������� They did not say

(2)

��!���)�* �&�� They (two) did not say

(1)

���)�* �&�� He did not say

Masculine

(6)

�#�)�* �&���" They did not say

(5)

�!���)�, �&�� They (two) did not say

(4)

�&�� ���)�, She did not says

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

�, �&�������)��

You did not say

(8)

�!���)�, �&�� You (two) did not say

(7)

���)�, �&�� You did not say

Masculine

(12)

�#�)�, �&���" You did not say

(11)

�!���)�, �&�� You (two) did not say

(10)

�������)�, �&�� You did not say

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

�����)�� �& We did not say

(13)

��� �. �&�� I did not say

Masculine and

Feminine

First

person

All the above is true for verbs in which the middle root letter is a � . From the root N4 N9 NJ we have the

verb �%��J)�49�]�- (>���9�J (to sell). The �S��1�T�� is �R��49�]�- (he will never sell) and the �U��V�,�� is �4�]�- ��� (he did not

sell).

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170

The ��� ��M� ����� (Active Participle) of the ������� ��� �! (hollow verb) is of the form ����_�� so from ����# we

have ���_��# (one who says) and from �%��J we have �4�_��J (seller).

The ����A�,�(�� )�T�]�� (passive) of ����#)0��08�- ( is ��9�#)0���8�-( .

The �����M�(� ����� (Passive Participle) of the ������� ��� �! (hollow verb) is of the form 0M����� for verbs with

medial � and ��9�M�� for verbs with medial � so from ����# (to say) we have ���08�� (something said) and

from �%��J we have �49�]�� (something sold).

The �)�A<T� 0����� (negative imperative verb) being �U��V�,�� is of the form �0M�? �@ or ��M�? �@ .

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�!�, ������)

Do not say!

(2)

�, �!�!���) Do not say!

(1)

�, �!���) Do not say!

Masculine

(6)

�"�#�)�, �! Do not say!

(5)

�!�!���)�, Do not say!

(4)

�!�������)�, Do not say!

Feminine

Second

person

The ����N[� 0����� (imperative verb) is of the form �0� rendering �0# (say!) and �4�J (sell!).

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

������� Say!

(2)

�!��� Say!

(1)

��� Say!

Masculine

(6)

�"�#� Say!

(5)

�!��� Say!

(4)

������� Say!

Feminine

Second

person

We may summarise the above as follows.

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�08�? �@ �0# >@���# ���08�� ���A�� 0���8�- ��9�# ���_��# ���A�� 0��08�- ����# Don’t say! Say! Statement Said So it

is It is said It was said One who

says So he

is He says He said

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171

If the middle weak letter is a � we have �%��J)�49�]�-) (�a���J (>���9�J (he sold),

�? �@�4�] �4�J >���9�J �49�]�� ���A�� �%��]�- �49�J �4�_��J ���A�� �49�]�- �%��J Don’t sell! Sell! Sale Sold So it

is It is sold It was sold A seller So he

is He sells He sold

Sometimes, even though the middle weak letter is a � or a � an alif is imported in its place in the

imperfect verb, rendering �U��$)�U��(�-) (�a�(�$ (>�����$ ,

�? �@���T ���$ >�����$ ���A�� ���_��$ ���A�� �U��T�- �U��$ Don’t

sleep! Sleep! Sleep So it

is Asleep So he

is He sleeps He slept

12.2.2 Forms II, V, III and VI

Forms II, V, III and VI are regular.

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�K=��,�? �@ �K=�� >�*-���,�? �K<��,�� ���A�� �K<��,�- �K=�� �K=��,�� ���A�� �K=��,�- �K<�� II

Don’t improve! Improve! Improvement Improved So it

is

It is

improved It was

improved An

improver So he

is He

improves He improved

�@�%<��b���? �%<��b�? >�^C��b�? �%<��b���� ���A�� �%<��b���- 0b�?�%=� �%=��b���� ���A�� �%<��b���- �%<��b�? V

Don’t volunteer!

Volunteer! Volunteering Volunteered So it

is

It is volunteered

It was volunteered A volunteer So he

is He

volunteers He

volunteered

�@�����;�? ������ >������;�� ������;�� ���A�� 0�����;�- 0������ ������;�� ���A�� 0�����;�- ������� III

Don’t try! Try! Trial, attempt Tried So it

is It is tried It was tried One who

tries So he

is He tried He tried

�@P��������? P������? >�$������? �P��������� ���A�� 0P��������- �P������? �P��������� ���A�� 0P��������- �P������? VI

Don’t cooperate!

Cooperate! Cooperation Cooperated So it

is

It is cooperated

It was cooperated

A cooperator

So he

is He

cooperates He

cooperated

12.2.3 Form IV

In Form IV, the medial ������� � ���� (weak letter) is dropped. For �K���&�! we have �K��&�! (To want)

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�@�K���? �K�&�! >c�K��&�F �K����� ���A�� �K����- �*-�&0! �*-���� ���A�� �*-���- �K��&�! Don’t

want! Want! Want Wanted So it

is

It is

wanted It was

wanted One who

wants So he

is He wants He

wanted

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172

12.2.4 Form VII

For �d���L�$� we have �d��L�$� (To be driven)

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�@�?�2�L�T �2�L�$� �L�$�>�#��9 �d��L�T�� ���A�� �-�d��L�T �29�L�$0� ���d��L�T ���A�� �d��L�T�- �d��L�$� Don’t be driven!

Be driven! Being driven Driven So he

is

He is driven

He was driven Driven So he

is He is driven

He was driven

12.2.5 Form VIII

For �e������� we have ����e��� (To need)

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�? �@�f���; �f����� >� ��9����� �e����;�� ���A�� �e����;�- ��0��f9�� �e����;�� ���A�� �e����;�- �e������ Don’t need! Need! Need Needed So it

is

It is

needed It was

needed Needy So he

is He needs He

needed

Note that the ��� ��M� ����� (Active participle) and �����M�(� ����� (Passive participle) are identical.

12.2.6 Form X

For �U��8����� we have �U��8����� (To be straight)

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�@���L�?���8 ���8����� >�����8����� �U��8���L�� ���A�� �U��8���L�- ��9�8����0� ��9�8���L�� ���A�� ��9�8���L�- �U��8����� Don’t be

straight!

Be

straight! Straightness Straight So it

is

It is

straight It was

straight Straight So it

is It is

straight It was

straight

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173

�� ���������� �������� Chapter 13

Terminal Weak Verbs

In Chapter Twelve we encountered the �������� ����� (weak verb) in which the � ������� ������ (weak letter) is

initial and we called it �������������� (initial weak). We also encountered the �������� ����� (weak verb) in which

the � ������� ������ (weak letter) is medial and we called it ���������������� (hollow weak). In this chapter, we

will be looking at the �������� ����� (weak verb) in which the � ������� ������ (weak letter) is terminal. We call

this �������������� (terminal weak).

13.1 Form I

In Form I the �������������� (terminal weak) has four variations caused by the vowelising of the root letters

in the perfect and imperfect.

1. ��!�")���!�$�%( (To call)

2. ���� ')�(���)�%( (To run)

3. *�+��)�*�+�,�%( (To refuse)

4. �-�.�+)�*�.�/�%( (To remain)

The imperfect verbs given above are �0�1����� . This is indicated by a hidden 23�4 on the � ������� ������ (weak

letter) which cannot appear either because of 56���7�8 (impossibility) or ��.�9 (inelegance). The � ������� ������

(weak letter) carries a :�1;�< .

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174

13.1.1 ��!�")��!�$�%( (To call)

��!�" is from the root ���!�" (da⊂awa). Just as we dropped the = of ������ to arrive at ����� , we drop the = of ���!�"

to arrive at ��!�" (da⊂aa). Remember that the root is still ���!�" . The = reappears in the imperfect ��!�$�% .

��!�")��!�$�%(>?��!�" @ AB���!�" is like �C���D)�C���;�%( and is conjugated � -��-�4��3�� (in the perfect) as follows:

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�������

They called

(2)

�������

They (two) called

(1)

�����

He called

Masculine

(6)

��������

They called

(5)

�������

They (two) called

(4)

������

She called

Feminine

Third person

(9)

����������

You called

(8)

�����������

You (two) called

(7)

��������

You called

Masculine

(12)

����������

You called

(11)

�����������

You (two) called

(10)

��������

You called

Feminine

Second person

(14)

���������

We called

(13)

��������

I called

Masculine

and Feminine

First

person

The imperfect of ��!�" is conjugated as follows

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�������� They call

(2)

���������� They (two) call

(1)

������ He calls

Masculine

(6)

�������� They call

(5)

����������� They (two) call

(4)

������� She calls

Feminine

Third person

(9)

��������� You call

(8)

����������� You (two) call

(7)

������� You call

Masculine

(12)

��������� You call

(11)

����������� You (two) call

(10)

�!������ You call

Feminine

Second person

(14)

������� We call

(13)

������" I call

Masculine

and

Feminine

First person

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13.1.2 ���� ')(���)�%( (To run)

'���� is from the root �(���� (jaraya). We drop the ( and replace it with an B�8��E�.�� �F���� . The (

reappears in imperfect (���)�% .

'����)(���)�%( is thus like �G����)�G���)�%( and is conjugated � -��-�4��3�� (in the perfect) as follows:

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

��#���$

They ran

(2)

�� ���$

They (two) ran

(1)

%���$

He ran

Masculine

(6)

��� ���$

They ran

(5)

������$

They (two) ran

(4)

�����$

She ran

Feminine

Third person

(9)

����� ���$

You ran

(8)

������ ���$

You (two) ran

(7)

��� ���$

You ran

Masculine

(12)

����� ���$

You ran

(11)

������ ���$

You (two) ran

(10)

��� ���$

You ran

Feminine

Second person

(14)

� ���$��&

We ran

(13)

��� ���$

I ran

Masculine

and

Feminine

First

person

The imperfect of '���� is conjugated as follows

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

��#���'� *

They run

(2)

���� ���'� They (two) run

(1)

)���'� He runs

Masculine

(6)

�� ���'� They run

(5)

���� ���'�� They (two) run

(4)

)���'�� She runs

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

����#���'

You run

(8)

�� ���'����

You (two) run

(7)

)���'�� You run

Masculine

(12)

�� ���'�� You run

(11)

���� ���'�� You (two) run

(10)

�� ���'�� You run

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

)���'�� We run

(13)

)���$�" I run

Masculine and

Feminine

First

person

* Notice that the ��I has a �DB���J under it apart from the third and second person

masculine plurals, where it changes to 23�4: �:=���)�% & �:=���)�7

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176

13.1.3 *�+��)*�+�,�%( (To refuse)

(a) *�+�� is from the root �-�+�� (abaya). We drop the ( and replace it with an �.�� �F����B�8��E . The ( does not

reappear in imperfect *�+�,�% . *�+��)*�+�,�%( is thus like ������)1����.�%( and is conjugated � -��-�4��3�� (in the perfect) as follows:

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

����*�" They refused

(2)

��+�*�" They (two) refused

(1)

,�*�" He refused

Masculine

(6)

���+�*�" They refused

(5)

����*�" They (two) refused

(4)

���*�" She refused

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

�����+�*�" You refused

(8)

������+�*�" You (two) refused

(7)

���+�*�" You refused

Masculine

(12)

�����+�*�" You refused

(11)

������+�*�" You (two) refused

(10)

���+�*�" You refused

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

�+�*�"��&

We refused

(13)

���+�*�" I refused

Masculine and

Feminine

First

person

The imperfect of *�+�� is conjugated as follows

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�����*-� They refuse

(2)

����+�*-� They (two) refuse

(1)

,�*-� He refuses

Masculine

(6)

���+�*-� They refuse

(5)

����+�*-�� They (two) refuse

(4)

,�*-�� She refuses

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

�����*-�� You refuse

(8)

����+�*-�� You (two) refuse

(7)

��,�*-

You refuse

Masculine

(12)

���+�*-�� You refuse

(11)

����+�*-�� You (two) refuse

(10)

���+�*-�� You refuse

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

,�*-�� We refuse

(13)

.,�*

I refuse

Masculine and

Feminine

First

person

* The I�+ in *�+�,�% , like the �. in *�.�/�% invariably has a �K���� on it.

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(b) '���8)'���%( (To see)

'���8) '���%( is from the root �(���8 (ra’aya). It is like *�+��)*�+�,�%( and in the perfect, it is conjugated in the

same way as *�+�� . The irregularity occurs in the imperfect, where we drop the hamza rendering '���% , rather than '�����% .

'���8)'���%( is like ������)1����.�%( and is conjugated � -��-�4��3�� (in the perfect) as follows:

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

��#�"�/

They saw

(2)

�� �"�/

They (two) saw

(1)

%�"�/

He saw

Masculine

(6)

��� �"�/

They saw

(5)

����"�/

They (two) saw

(4)

���"�/

She saw

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

����� �"�/

You saw

(8)

������ �"�/

You (two) saw

(7)

��� �"�/

You saw

Masculine

(12)

����� �"�/

You saw

(11)

������ �"�/

You (two) saw

(10)

��� �"�/

You saw

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

� �"�/��&

We saw

(13)

��� �"�/

I saw

Masculine and

Feminine

First

person

The imperfect of '���8 is conjugated as follows

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

���#��� They see

(2)

���� ��� They (two) see

(1)

%��� He sees

Masculine

(6)

��� ��� They see

(5)

���� ���� They (two) see

(4)

%���� She sees

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

���#���� You see

(8)

���� ���� You (two) see

(7)

%���� You see

Masculine

(12)

��� ���� You see

(11)

���� ���� You (two) see

(10)

� ������

You see

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

%���� We see

(13)

%�/�" I see

Masculine

and

Feminine

First person

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13.1.4 �-�.�+)*�.�/�%( (To remain)

The root of �-�.�+ is �-�.�+ itself. The imperfect is *�.�/�% .

�-�.�+)*�.�/�%( is like �L�M��)�L�M�N�%( and is conjugated � -��-�4��3�� (in the perfect) as follows:

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

��01�* They remained

(2)

��+�1�* They (two) remained

(1)

�2�1�* He remained

Masculine

(6)

�!�1�* They remained

(5)

����+�1�* They (two) remained

(4)

���+�1�* She remained

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

����+�1�* You remained

(8)

�����+�1�* You (two) remained

(7)

��+�1�* You remained

Masculine

(12)

����+�1�* You remained

(11)

�����+�1�* You (two) remained

(10)

��+�1�* You remained

Feminine

Second person

(14)

+�1�*��&

We remained

(13)

��+�1�* I remained

Masculine and

Feminine

First person

The imperfect of �-�.�+ is conjugated as follows

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

���1��� ��*

They remain

(2)

����+�1��� They (two) remain

(1)

,�1��� He remains

Masculine

(6)

���+�1��� They remain

(5)

����+�1���� They (two) remain

(4)

,�1���� She remains

Feminine

Third person

(9)

���1������

You remain

(8)

����+�1���� You (two) remain

(7)

,�1���� You remain

Masculine

(12)

���+�1���� You remain

(11)

����+�1���� You (two) remain

(10)

���+�1���� You remain

Feminine

Second person

(14)

,�1���� We remain

(13)

,�1�*�" I remain

Masculine

and

Feminine

First person

* Notice that the �. invariably has a �K���� on it. We say, ���.�/�%�: , not 1.�/�%�:� for the

third person masculine plural.

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179

13.1.5 ���� 5������3���FP�N�� (The doubly weak verb)

A verb containing two � ������� ������ (weak letters) is called ���������FP�N�� (doubly weak). We have two types.

(a) � ���Q���N.�3��� �FP�N�� : The first and last letter is weak

*���=)-�.�%( (To protect) is like '����)(���)�%( and is conjugated � -��-�4��3�� (in the perfect) as follows:

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�3�#���

They protected

(2)

�3�#��+

They (two) protected

(1)

�3�#,

He protected

Masculine

(6)

�3�#���+

They protected

(5)

�3�#���

They (two) protected

(4)

�3�#��

She protected

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

�3�#�����+

You protected

(8)

�3�#������+

You (two) protected

(7)

�3�#���+

You protected

Masculine

(12)

�3�#�����+

You protected

(11)

�3�#������+

You (two) protected

(10)

�3�#�+��

You protected

Feminine

Second person

(14)

�3�#�+��&

We protected

(13)

�3�#���+

I protected

Masculine and

Feminine

First

person

The imperfect of *���= is conjugated as follows

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

���01� They protect

(2)

����+�1� They (two) protect

(1)

� 2�1

He protects

Masculine

(6)

�!�1� They protect

(5)

����+�1�� They (two) protect

(4)

2�1�� She protects

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

���01�� You protect

(8)

����+�1�� You (two) protect

(7)

2�1�� You protect

Masculine

(12)

�!�1�� You protect

(11)

����+�1�� You (two) protect

(10)

�!�1�� You protect

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

2�1�� We protect

(13)

2�3�" I protect

Masculine

and

Feminine

First person

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180

(b) ���1:=���.�3��� �FP�N�� : The second and last letter is weak

'��� )(���R�%( (To intend) is like '����)(���)�%( and is conjugated � -��-�4��3�� (in the perfect) as follows:

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

������#

They intended

(2)

������

They (two) intended

(1)

����%

He intended

Masculine

(6)

�������

They intended

(5)

�������

They (two) intended

(4)

������

She intended

Feminine

Third person

(9)

���������

You intended

(8)

����������

You (two) intended

(7)

�������

You intended

Masculine

(12)

���������

You intended

(11)

����������

You (two) intended

(10)

�������

You intended

Feminine

Second person

(14)

����� ��&

We intended

(13)

�������

I intended

Masculine

and Feminine

First

person

The imperfect of '��� is conjugated as follows

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

��#���&� They intend

(2)

���� ���&� They (two) intend

(1)

)���&� He intends

Masculine

(6)

�� ���&� They intend

(5)

���� ���&�� They (two) intend

(4)

)���&�� She intends

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

��#���&�� You intend

(8)

���� ���&�� You (two) intend

(7)

)���&�� You intend

Masculine

(12)

�� ���&�� You intend

(11)

������ ���&

You (two) intend

(10)

�� ���&�� You intend

Feminine

Second person

(14)

)���&�� We intend

(13)

)�����" I intend

Masculine

and

Feminine

First

person

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181

The �S��E�R�� of the �������������� (terminal weak) verb obeys the same principle as the �TP�K�U ������L����<

(sound strong verb). Where the verb ends in a B�8��E�.�� �F���� the hidden 23�4 changes to a hidden �K���� but

there is no visible change because the � ������� ������ (weak letter) must carry a :�1;�< owing to �856���7 (impossibility).

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

������������ They will never call

(2)

������������ They will never call

(1)

� ���������� He will never call

Masculine Third

person

(6) (5) (4)

(3)

�#���'� ���� They will never run

(2)

�� ���'� ���� They will never run

(1)

�)���'� ���� He will never run

Masculine Third

person

(6) (5) (4)

(3)

����*-� ���� They will never refuse

(2)

��+�*-� ���� They will never refuse

(1)

,�*-� ���� He will never refuse

Masculine Third person

(6) (5) (4)

(3)

��#��� ���� They will never see

(2)

�� ��� ���� They will never see

(1)

%��� ���� He will never see

Masculine Third

person

(6) (5) (4)

(3)

����1��� ���� They will never remain

(2)

��+�1��� ���� They will never remain

(1)

,�1��� ���� He will never remain

Masculine Third

person

(6) (5) (4)

(3)

���01� ���� They will never protect

(2)

��+�1� ���� They will never protect

(1)

�2�1� ���� He will never protect

Masculine Third

person

(6) (5) (4)

(3)

������#���&� They will never intend

(2)

�� ���&� ���� They will never intend

(1)

�)���&� ���� He will never intend

Masculine Third person

(6) (5) (4)

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182

The �V=�W�)�� of the �������������� (terminal weak) verb is indicated by � ������� ������ ���6�� (omission of the

weak letter). This is necessary because the �0�1����� already ends in :�1;�< owing to �856���7 (impossibility).

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�������� ���� They did not call

(2)

�������� ���� They did not call

(1)

�4��� ���� He did not call

Masculine Third

person

(6) (5) (4)

(3)

�#���'� ���� They did not run

(2)

�� ���'� ���� They did not run

(1)

���'� ���� He did not run

Masculine Third

person

(6) (5) (4)

(3)

����*-� ���� They did not refuse

(2)

��+�*-� ���� They did not refuse

(1)

��-� ���� He did not refuse

Masculine Third person

(6) (5) (4)

(3)

��#��� ���� They did not see

(2)

�� ��� ���� They did not see

(1)

��� ���� He did not see

Masculine Third person

(6) (5) (4)

(3)

����1��� ���� They did not remain

(2)

��+�1��� ���� They did not remain

(1)

�5��� ���� He did not remain

Masculine Third

person

(6) (5) (4)

(3)

���01� ���� They did not protect

(2)

��+�1� ���� They did not protect

(1)

�5� ���� He did not protect

Masculine Third

person

(6) (5) (4)

(3)

��#���&� ���� They did not intend

(2)

�� ���&� ���� They did not intend

(1)

���&� ���� He did not intend

Masculine Third

person

(6) (5) (4)

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183

The ���!��N��� �L�<� (Active Participle) of the �������������� (terminal weak) verb is of the form X0��� . This is

produced by dropping the � ������� ������ (weak letter) leaving a �Y�1.�R�� (reduced) word (cf. P8.2). We have

X0��" (caller), X8��� (flowing), XSZ (one who refuses), X?��8 (one who sees), XQ��+ (one who remains), XQ��=

(protector) and X=�� (one who intends).

In the ����M�)�3���� [-�R�/�� (passive) of �������������� (terminal weak) verbs, the ��� ������� ���� (weak letter) changes

to a ( rendering one pattern for all four �������������� (terminal weak) verb types in Form I. One example

will suffice.

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

������ They were called

(2)

��+���� They were called

(1)

�2���� He was called

Masculine Third

person

(6) (5)

(4)

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

��������� They are called

(2)

����+����� They are called

(1)

,����� He is called

Masculine Third

person

(6) (5) (4)

The ������N�3��� �L�<� (Passive Participle) of the �������������� (terminal weak) verb is of the form [����N�� for the

�����)����N�%( type or [-���N�� for the rest. We have for example, [��!�$�� (called), [-�\���� (seen, visible) and [(���R��

(intended).

We may summarise the above as follows.

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�0�$�7 �] �0�"1� AB���!�" @ ?��!�" [��!�$�� ���M�� *�!�$�% �"�-�! X0��" ���M�� ��!�$�% ��!�" Don’t call! Call! Prayer, Call Called So he

is

He is called

He was called A caller So he

is He calls He called

���)�7 �] ������ A� ��%���� @ A�%���� - ���M�� - - X8��� ���M�� (���)�% '���� Don’t run! Run! Running, flowing - So he

is - - A runner So he

is He runs He ran

�S�,�7 �] �C�%�� >?��+�_ [-�+�,�� ���M�� *�+�,�% �-�+1� XSZ ���M�� *�+�,�% *�+�� Don’t refuse! Refuse! Refusal refused So it

is

He is

refused It was

refused A refuser So he

is He

refuses He

refused

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184

�]���7 �8 A �%� �8 @ A�%���8 [-�\���� ���M�� '���% �-�\�8 X?��8 ���M�� '���% '���8 Don’t see! See! Opinion, vision Seen,

visible So it

is It is seen It was seen A seer So he

is He sees He saw

�a�/�7 �] �a�+�� >?��.�+ - ���M�� - - XQ��+ ���M�� *�.�/�% �+�-�. Don’t remain! Remain! Remaining - So he

is - - One who

remains So he

is He

remains He

remained

�a�7 �] �Q A �%����= [-������ ���M�� *�����% �-���= XQ��= ���M�� -�.�% *���= Don’t protect! Protect! Protection Protected So he

is

He is

protected He was

protected A protector So he

is He

protects He

protected

���R�7 �] ��� �� A 2P� [(���R�� ���M�� '���R�% �(��� X=�� ���M�� (���R�% '��� Don’t intend! Intend! Intention Intended So he

is

It is

intended It was

intended One who

intends So he

is He

intends He

intended

13.2 Derived Forms

It may please you to know that the �������������� (terminal weak) verb in all the derived forms has only

one pattern in each form. The ���!��N��� �L�<� (Active Participle) of all derived forms is �Y�1.�R�� and the �L�<�������N�3��� (Passive Participle) is always �8��E�.�� .

13.2.1 Form II

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

bS���7 �] bS�8 A �P�+���7 c*d+���� ���M�� *2+���% �-b+�8 eS���� ���M�� -b+���% *2+�8 Don’t educate! Educate! Education Educated So he

is

He is

educated He was

educated An

educator So he

is He

educates He

educated

13.2.2 Form V

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

2a�����7 �] 2a���7 A�Pf.���7 c*g.������ ���M�� *�.�����% �-f.1��7 ea������ ���M�� *�.�����% *�.���7 Don’t receive! Receive! Receiving Received So he

is

It is

received It was

received A receiver So he

is He

receives He

received

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185

13.2.3 Form III

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�"��R�7 �] �"�� AB��"��R�� @ >?��$� c'"��R�� ���M�� '�"��R�% �(�"�� X"��R�� ���M�� (�"��R�% '�"�� Don’t call! Call! Call Called So he

is

He is called

He was called A caller So he

is He calls He called

13.2.4 Form VI

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper.

Verbal

Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�Y������7 �] �Y����7 A�PU����7 c*U������� ���M�� *�U������% �-�U=���7 XY������� ���M�� *�U������% *�U����7 Don’t

mutually

enjoin!

Mutually enjoin!

Mutual enjoining

Mutually enjoined

So it

is

It is mutually

enjoined

It was mutually

enjoined

One who mutually

enjoins So he

is He mutually

enjoins He mutually

enjoined

13.2.5 Form IV

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�h���7 �] �h�!�� �_>?��i�! c*i���� ���M�� *�i���% �-�i�!1� Xh���� ���M�� -�i���% *�i�!�� Don’t give! Give! Giving Given So he

is

He is

given He was

given A giver So he

is He gives He gave

13.2.6 Form VII

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�j�/�R�7 �] ��j�/� �>?��k�/� c*k�/�R�� ���M�� *�k�/�R�% �-�k�/� 1� Xj�/�R�� ���M�� -�k�/�R�% �*�k�/� Don’t be

necessary! Be necessary! Necessity - So he

is - - Necessary So it

is It is

necessary It was

necessary

The word *�k�/� �)-�k�/�R�%( means ‘to be necessary’. Followed by �l�� it means ‘it behoves him / is proper for

him’. Followed by �l�P���! it means ‘he must / ought to’. We have the following expressions:

�S��m�6�� �n�� -�k�/�R�% It behoves you to go (obliged) (lit. going is proper for you)

�S��m�6�� �n�P���! -�k�/�R�% You should go (obligated) (lit. going is necessary for you)

�:��D�S��m�6�� �n�P���! -�k�/�R�% You should have gone

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186

�]�S��m�6�� �n�� -�k�/�R�% It does not behove you to go

�S��m�6�� �n�P���! -�k�/�R�% �] You should not go

��6�m-�k�/�R�% �] This should not be

13.2.7 Form VIII

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�o�7���7 �] �o�7�8� >?��p�7�8� c*p�7���� ���M�� *�p�7���% �-�p�7�81� Xo�7���� ���M�� -�p�7���% *�p�7�8� Don’t approve! Approve! Approval Approved So it

is It is approved It was

approved One who

approves So he

is He

approves He

approved

�F�i�E�7 �] �F�i�U� >?��N�i�U� c*N�i�E�� ���M�� *�N�i�E�% �-�N1i�U1� XF�i�E�� ���M�� -�N�i�E�% *�N�i�U� Don’t choose! Choose! Choosing Chosen So he

is He is chosen He was

chosen One who

chooses So he

is He chooses He chose

�]�02$�7 �02"� >?��!b"� c*!2$�� ���M�� *�!2$�% �-�!q"1� X02$�� ���M�� -�!2$�% *�!2"� Don’t claim! Claim! Claim Claimed So it

is It is claimed It was

claimed A claimant So he

is He claims He claimed

Note that the � of ‘*�N���U�’ from the root ���N�U changes to r owing to the emphatic Y preceding it,

rendering *�N�i�U� . Also, the � of ‘ �7�"�*�� ’ from the root ���!�" changes to " owing to the strong " before it

and the two assimilate rendering *�!2"� .

13.2.8 Form X

Negative

Imper.

Positive

Imper. Verbal Noun

Passive

Participle

(noun)

Passive

Imperf.

Verb

Passive

Perf.

verb

Active

Participle

(noun)

Active

Imperf.

Verb

Active

Perf.

Verb

�s�����J�7 �] �s�����<� >?��R�����<� �����J��ct ���M�� *�R�����J�% �-�R�����<1� Xs�����J�� ���M�� -�R�����J�% *�R�����<� Don’t except! Except! Exception excepted So it

is

It is

excepted It was

excepted One who

excepts So he

is He excepts He

excepted

Page 216: Ibn Jabal Arabica

187

��������6���

�u�4�=)�u�p�% (A���4�= To put down

�u�4�= putting down

�u�4�=) �0��4�=��( circumstance

��!�")vw (���!�" AB ,>?��!�") *���_( to call (to)

B���!�") �!�"���y�( call

z?��!�") �P�!�"��( prayer

'����)v�( @ A�%����A� ��%���� to flow

�(���� running

:��%���� flow

*�+��) v (>?��+�_ to refuse

z?��+�_ refusal

'���8)'���% (A �%� �8 @ A�%���8 to see

�(���8)z?��8Z( opinion

�%� �8) 'c �8( seeing; vision, dream

�-�.�+)v (>?��.�+ to remain

z?��.�+ remaining

*���=)-�.�% (A �%����= to protect

�%����= protection

'��� )(���R�% ( to intend

2P� )��%��� @ �y�( intention

��U��)���U1�( root, origin

A{�U�� originally

A�|���D much

��}��" inside

A{�}��" inside (adv.)

Page 217: Ibn Jabal Arabica

188

���}��" + �l�P���_ ����p�� inside (adv.)

�� �s��2$���}� from within

�8��}�� outside; abroad

��8��} A� outside (adv.)

��8��} �s�! A� outside of, apart from (adv.)

���8��} + �l�P���_ ����p�� outside (adv.)

�V����� +�l�P���_ ����p�� in front of (adv.)

���{�} +�l�P���_ ����p�� during (adv.)

?��8�= +�l�P���_ ����p�� behind (adv.)

�Q��� east

A����� eastward (adv.)

�S���� west

���3�� north

�S��R�� south

���3�% right

A�RP�3�% toward the right (adv.)

�8��J�% left

�{�+ without (prep.)

�C����)vw (A�/���� to seek, ask for

�C����)�y��/����( request

���P�� :�)�y�� ����P��( animal

�8��")�8��%�" @ �8=�"( home (land)

�V�����) �3������( food

A��%���< quickly

*2+�8 to educate

*���U to pray

Page 218: Ibn Jabal Arabica

189

���E�� one who prays

'�"�� to call

*�i�!�� to give

*�.���7 to receive

*�U����7)I�+( To mutually enjoin

*�k�/� �) *���! , I��( To be necessary; to behove

*�!2"� To claim

*�p�7�8� To be content

*�!�$���<� To summon

Page 219: Ibn Jabal Arabica

190

Exercise 15.1

Express in English

� . -�7���!�" ����+�� �L�M2R�;���= �8��M� ���P�� -�%���8 *���_ ���2R�� �y���!�" -b �_

٢ . 1�PbR�� ���m ���M2R�� �n���� �L�<� �:�_ �� ��}�� ��R�� ����� �n���� �$���+�= X�%���� X��M�R�+ �� �8����

٣ . ���2R�� �s�� �|���D �� ?��8�= �����}�= XV�{�D �{�+ �G���)�3��� ���{�} ��R�������� �L�M���� �� ������ 2L�7 �$�.��

٤ . ����A�K�4��= �u�������� �u�4����� '���7 ��M2 �� ��R�7��/���� *�+�,�7 �����< ��M��

٥ . �G���)�3��� �s�� ��=������� ���%��� �= ���1��)��� ���P�+��

٦ . A�d$�� ��P�3�� ���K�/��� *���_ ���8�� �s�� ���M2R�� �:��%���� 1 �%� �8

٧ . � �s�J�� -�+��-���%� �8 -�+���= �V����i� �G���� �l���+���4 -�R2 ��

٨ .A��%���< A]��� �l�P���_ ��R�%���)�� ���}�2$�� �s�� ��RP�+�� �B���!�" ��R���3�< ����$�R�! �S��/��� �V����� �8�2$�� ���8��} �2R1D

٩ . A{�U�� � �;�+ � �;�� �L�<� �:��D

١٠ .�8 -b �_ A�3P���! A{�/�.���J�� �l�� �:�� -�%������ A���<��= A�3�M�� ��6�m �n�R�+� -�� ���%�� .

١١ . �Q��2��� *���_ � �R%�$�3��� �s�� ������� �= �?��P���� �s�� A�|���D '���R�<�= X���P�� �����! �a�����" -�� *�.�/� �����<

�S��R�)����= �S���k����= ��P�D���7 *���_ A]��3�� �n���� �$���+ �C�m�6�R�<�=

١٢ .X$23�K�� �l���= ���4�=

١٣ .���/�.���J�3��� -�� ��RP�.�P�� -�4��3��� -�� w �� �� ����=

١٤ .A�/%���� ������ �= A�$P���+ �l� �=���% �L�M2 �_

١٥ .�L�Mq+�8 �L�m����=�=

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191

Exercise 15.2

Express in Arabic

1. His invitation was not clear and that prevented me from coming.

2. I have invited all my friends to my house for a meeting and they will stay tonight.

3. She has been to many places and seen many things, especially the East.

4. This invitation of his was originally for me only but the situation calls for us all to attend.

5. He mentioned your name after my name when he called our names yesterday.

6. He was a student in Egypt. After that he stayed in Damascus until his death.

7. Everything is as if it has reached its completion now.

8. He was outside, passing by his friend’s house when he heard their call from behind the door.

9. Hasan continued to be angry with me (2-���!) even though he saw clearly during our conversation

that the circumstances were difficult for me.

10. And apart from your many strange/far-fetched/outlandish ($P���+) opinions, is there any basis to

this question of yours?

11. The meeting is running now and all the ministers intend to stay in the city throughout the three

days.

12. Perhaps they intend to stay throught the night and when they wake up tomorrow, they may

refuse to go.

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192

�� ����������� ������� Chapter 14

Revolution I

�����, her sisters and ‘half-sisters’

In chapter two, we learned that ����� enters upon a ������ ������� (noun sentence) and acts as a ‘time

machine’, transporting it to the past. We also learned that ��� enters upon a ������ ������� (noun sentence)

and emphasises it. The two have one thing in common. They ‘abrogate’ the ����� (grammatical

government) of the ���������� (subject). We call them ��� ���� (abrogators).

In a regular �� ����������� the ���������� (subject) is the ������ (regent), which makes itself and the � ���!

(predicate) �"�#$� �� . When ����� enters upon a ������ ������� it abrogates the ����� of the ���������� and

subordinates it. ����� makes the ���������� (subject) �"�#$� �� and the � ���! (predicate) �%��&�'�� . When ��� enters

upon a ������ ������� (noun sentence) it again abrogates the ����� of the ���������� and subordinates it. ��� makes

the ���������� (subject) �%��&�'�� and the � ���! (predicate) �"�#$� �� .

There are three groups of ��� ���� (abrogators) in Arabic,

1. �����, her sisters and half-sisters

2. ��� and her sisters

3. �(�) and her sisters

In this chapter we shall meet ����� and her sisterhood.

14.1 ����� (the verb ‘to be’)

Though we have kept it secret so far, ����� (he was), like �*��+ (he said), is a �,������ ���-$ (hollow verb). The

triliteral root of ����� is .( .� .�(ka–wa–na). The / reappears 0$ "1��2�34 (in the imperfect) #��#5�6 (he is,

will be). �1���&������� (the verbal noun of kaana) is ������ (universe)

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193

�����) #��#5�6( (he was) is conjugated 0$09��34 (in the perfect) as follows:

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

������� They were

(2)

������ They (two) were

(1)

����� He was

Masculine

(6)

���*

They were

(5)

�������� They (two) were

(4)

������� She was

Feminine

Third person

(9)

�������� You were

(8)

��������� You (two) were

(7)

������ You were

Masculine

(12)

������� You were

(11)

��������� You (two) were

(10)

������ You were

Feminine

Second person

(14)

� ���

We were

(13)

������ I was

Masculine

and

Feminine

First

person

�(#�* is an assimilation of �(�'#�

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

���������� They are

(2)

���������� They (two) are

(1)

������� He is

Masculine

(6)

����� They are

(5)

������� ��

They (two) are

(4)

������

She is

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

��������� You are

(8)

��������� You (two) are

(7)

������ You are

Masculine

(12)

���� You are

(11)

��������� You (two) are

(10)

�!������ You are

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

������� We are

(13)

������" I am

Masculine and

Feminine

First

person

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194

����� is the Arabic verb ‘to be’. In English, the verb ‘to be’ is called an auxiliary or helping verb because

it helps us to transport sentences into the past and future. In Arabic, the verb ����� is called �;+��� ���-$ (deficient verb, not to be confused with the �;+��� <����-�� ���-$ (terminal weak verb) introduced in chapter

thirteen). ����� is called �;+��� (deficient) because it refers to ‘being’ something rather than ‘doing’

something. Although ����� is a ���-$ (verb), it does not have a �����$ (subject) and => �*��-3?�� (object) like a

���-$@A��B (a proper verb). Instead, ����� has a ���������� which we rename �C�� ����� (the subject of kaana) and a

� ���!, which we call � ���! ����� (the predicate of kaana).

We know that ����� enters upon a ������ ������� (noun sentence). Here we can distinguish between two

types of ������ ������� (noun sentence) and say that ����� is able to enter upon both,

1. A ������������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a �C�� (noun). ����� makes this

� ���! (predicate) �%��&�'�� .

E �F���G�� �H4��I4 ����� The student was hard working

2. A ������ ������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a $ �������������- (verb sentence).

��F���G�6 �H4��I4 ����� The student was working hard

14.1.1 Transporting a ������������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a �C�� (noun).

(a) In chapter two we transported the ������� ������ (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a �C�� (noun) into �09��34 (the past) by simply placing ����� before it.

����� �C#5�4 E ���! It was good for you

We can transport a ������� ������ (noun sentence) J�4� ���3K���L�34 (to the future) by placing #��#5�6 before it.

#��#5�6�C#5�4 E ���! It will be good for you

(b) The imperfect #��#5�6 is sometimes used *��M34 0$ (in the present tense) as a verb ‘to be’ when making

assumptions.

�N�'�>��O �P��� Your son is big now

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195

�H�Q�RST�PU�� �V'� #W�'�� �X�Y��Z J�4� �N�'�>

�$��O E P��� #��#5��

Your son went to Damascus many years ago so

he will be big now.

��O ���5�� 0$ �(�L�[ #��#5�6 Hasan should/will be in Makkah (by) now

(c) In chapter two we encountered the indefinite ���������� (subject):

34 0$�H4��\ ����1��� A student is in the school; or

There is a student in the school

If we transport this ������� (sentence) J�4� 09��34 (into the past) using ����� or J�4����3K���L�34 (into the future)

using #��#5�6 , we get,

�����34 0$]���� �H4��\ ����1��� A student was in the school yesterday; or

There was a student in the school yesterday

#��#5�634 0$ �H4��\ ����1���E �� A student will be in the school tomorrow; or

There will be a student in the school tomorrow

In such ����� (sentences) where � ���! ����� is an elliptical or hidden ‘�Z�������’, ����� expresses a meaning of

simple existence which we translate as ‘there was’ or ‘there will be’ as opposed to expressing a

meaning of ‘x was y’ or ‘x will be y’. When this occurs, ����� is considered to be @A��B ���-$ (a proper verb)

and not �;+��� (deficient). �H4��\ is thus #����$����� not �C�� ����� and we may bring it forward.

����� �H4��\34 0$]���� ����1��� A student was in the school yesterday; or

There was a student in the school yesterday

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196

� First Aid

Students often translate the sentence ����� �H4��\34 0$ ����1��� (there was a student

in the school) as ‘he was a student in the school’.

Prescription

����� may be summarised as follows:

������(�L�[ E ��4�/ Hasan was a boy

(�(�L�[ is �C�� ����� (subject) and E ��4�/ is � ���! ����� (predicate))

E ��4�/ ����� He was a boy

(The �C�� ����� (subject) is the implied pronoun ‘���Q’.

E ��4�/ is ���!� ����� (predicate)).

���4�/ �����)_����34 0$(

There was a boy (in the house)

(���4�/ is #����$ ����� and there is no �*��-3?�� (object). ����� is @A��B ���-$ (proper verb).

14.1.2 Transporting a ������ ������� (noun sentence) in which the �!� �� (predicate) is a ������-$ ������� (verb sentence)

(a) The Pluperfect

A pluperfect is a perfect of a perfect. A ������ ������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a ���-$S ��� (perfect verb) is transported by ����� further � J�409��34 (into the past), usually in relation to

another event.

�H�Q�R He went

�H�Q�R #���� 4 The man went

#���� 4 ����� �H�Q�R The man had gone

#���� 4 �H�Q�R ����� The man had gone

����� �H�Q�R He had gone

�������

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197

The particle ���+ (not ���K�4 which can only initiate a sentence) may be placed before the ���-$S ��� (perfect

verb) that is the � ���! ����� (the predicate of kaana) as a rhetorical flourish.

�H�Q�R ���+ #���� 4 ����� The man had gone

#���� 4 �H�Q�R ���+ ����� The man had gone

�H�Q�R ���+ #���� 4 ����� �(�L�[ ���a�/ ���4 When Hasan arrived the man had (already) gone

����Q�R ���+ �=�B���!� ����� �(�L�[ ���a�/ ���4 When Hasan arrived, his brothers had (already) gone

( ����Q�R is plural because it comes after ���C ����� )

�=�B���!� �H�Q�R ���+ ����� �(�L�[ ���a�/ ���4 When Hasan arrived, his brothers had (already) gone

(����� and �H�Q�R are singular here because they precede �C�� ����� )

(b) The past continuous

A ������ ������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a ���-$ �"1��2�� (imperfect verb) is

transported by ����� into �09��34 (the past), producing a past continuous.

�H�Q3W�6 He is going / he goes

#���� 4 �H�Q3W�6 The man is going / goes

����� #���� 4 �H�Q3W�6 The man was going / used to go

������H�Q3W�6 He was going

(c) Intention in the past

A ������ ������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a ���-$ �"1��2�� (imperfect verb) with the

future particle b�� attached to it is transported by ����� to �09��34 (the past), producing a past intention.

�H��35���� He will write

������H��35���� He was going to write

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(d) The future perfect

A ������ ������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a ���-$S ��� (perfect verb) is transported

by #��#5�6 into �34#���3K���L (the future). Again, the particle ���+ (not ���K�4) may be placed before the ���-$S ���

(perfect verb) that is the � ���! ����� (the predicate of kaana) as a rhetorical flourish.

�6 ������'�#�&����M�� � E � #��#5�6�H�Q�R ���+ �(�L�[ When Muhammad arrives tomorrow, Hasan will have (already) gone

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199

14.2 �#�$���%����&�"����� (some sisters of kaana)

All �*��-3$�� (verbs) bearing a meaning of ‘being’, ‘becoming’, ‘not being’ or ‘not becoming’ are sisters of

�����, and like ����� are ���*��-3$�� ���&+� (deficient verbs). Sisters of ����� behave like ����� by,

1. A ������������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a �C�� (noun). ����� makes this � ���!

(predicate) �%��&�'�� . 2. A ������ ������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a ������-$ ������� (verb sentence).

14.2.1 �]���4

We have used the verb �]���4 ‘he is not’ to negate a ������� ������ (noun sentence). It is a S ��� ���-$ (perfect

verb) but negates only in the present tense. It has no �"1��2�� (imperfect).

Although �]���4 is a hollow root, it does not become �c�d . This is anomalous in the Arabic language.

�]���4 is conjugated as follows:

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

��L���4 They are not

(2)

��L���4 They (two) are not

(1)

�]���4 He is not

Masculine

(6)

�(�L�4 They are not

(5)

����L���4 They (two) are not

(4)

�_�L���4

She is not

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

�C���L�4 You are not

(8)

�����L�4 You (two) are not

(7)

�_�L�4 You are not

Masculine

(12)

�(���L�4 You are not

(11)

�����L�4 You (two) are not

(10)

_�L�4 You are not

Feminine

Second person

(14)

��'�L�4 We are not

(13)

�_�L�4 I am not

Masculine

and

Feminine

First

person

e (a) �]���4 like ����� makes the � ���! (predicate) �%��&�'�� and does not affect the ���������� (subject).

34�P��� �_���� The house is big

34 �]���4E P��� �_���� The house is not big

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200

E P��� �]���4 It is not big

The negative particle ��� and �d are able to do the job of �]���4

���34 �� �_����E P� The house is not big

�d 34 E P��� �_���� The house is not big

If the ���������� (subject) is a �P�9 (pronoun), unlike with �]���4 it does not drop when negated by ��� .

�H4��\ ���Q He is a student

���E��4��\ ���Q He is not a student

�d E��4��\ ���Q He is not a student

The preposition >b may be placed �����+ ���! �]���4 (before the predicate of laysa) and also �����+ ���! ���

(before the predicate of maa), without changing the meaning.

34 �]���4SP��5> �_���� The house is not big

��� 34 SP��5> �_���� The house is not big

f ���C#5g>� > �_�L�4 �#4��+J���> h) 7:172( Am I not your Lord? They said, ‘yes indeed’

�i1��+ ���.���/ And I am a reciter

Si1��K> ����� ���/ And I am not a reciter

(ii) We do not use ���4�] to say ‘he/it was not’. Instead we use ����� negated by ��� .

����� ���34 �_����P���E The house was not big

f�C#54���g1 (� S��[�� ��>�� ����M�� ����� ��� h )33:40( Muhammad was not the father of any of your men folk

(iii) To say ‘he will not be’ we use �6 �d#��#5 .

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201

�6 �d#��#534 �_����P���E The house will not be big

(b) �]���4 can be used, especially in poetry and literature, to negate both perfect and imperfect verbs.

�H���� �]���4 /�H���� ��� He did not write

�H��35�6 �]���4 /�H��35�6 �d He is not writing

14.2.2 �1��a) �6�P&() �k� a (ET�1/� ���a (he became) is another �,������ ���-$ (hollow verb) that is also a sister of ����� .

(a) �1��a) �6�P&( enters upon a ������������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a �C�� (noun).

ET�R�����#� �k�1��a She became a professor

(b) �1��a) �6�P&( enters upon a ������������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a ������-$ �������

(verb sentence) to mean ‘to come to’. The �������������-$ (verb sentence) must be a �"1��2�� ���-$ (imperfect

verb).

�1��a �C�F3?�6 He came to understand

14.2.3 �l���a��) �l��&�6( (he became) is a sister of �����. It is form IV.

(a) �l���a��) �l��&�6( enters upon a ������������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a �C�� (noun).

mn��L� �k��'��34 _�M���a�� The girls became women

�l���a�� Ed���1 �Z�d�/.o The boys became men

(b) �l���a��) �l��&�6( enters upon a ������������� (noun sentence) in which the �!� �� (predicate) is a ������-$ �������

(verb sentence) to mean ‘to come to’. The ������-$ ������� (verb sentence) must be a �"1��2�� ���-$ (imperfect

verb).

�l���a���C�F3?�6 He came to understand

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202

14.2.4 �k��>)�_���6() �_> (�����>E��B� (he became) is another �,������ ���-$ (hollow verb) that is also a sister of ����� . The

first person perfect �_> is an assimilation of _��> .

(a) �k��>)�_���6( enters upon a ������������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a �C�� (noun).

���K�4E�5�p�/ �=#4��a�/ �k��> His arrival has become imminent

E������M�� �=#4��a�/ �k��> His arrival has become certain

Knowing when to use �k��> as opposed to �1��a or �����a�� comes with experience. For the moment, it is

advisable to restrict yourself to the above two given expressions when using �k��> .

(b) �k��>)�_���6( enters upon a ������������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a ������-$ �������

(verb sentence) to mean ‘to come to’. The �������������-$ (verb sentence) must be a �"1��2�� ���-$ (imperfect

verb).

E���-�a �q��G�6 �k��> He came to find it hard

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203

14.2.5 �* �r ��� /�d#* �s�6 (he still is (lit. ‘he has not ceased to be’)) is only ever used negated. We may also negate

the perfect with �d and the imperfect with ��� rendering: �* �r �d /���#* �s�6 . Like �]���4 the perfect and

imperfect bear the same present tense meaning. �* �r ��� /�d#* �s�6 (he still is) should not be confused with

�* �r)#*/�s�6( (to disappear).

�* �r ��� /�d#* �s�6 (he still is) is conjugated 0$09��34 (in the perfect) as follows:

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

�#4 �r ��� They still are

(2)

�d �r ��� They still are

(1)

�* �r ��� He still is

Masculine

(6)

�(34r ��� They still are

(5)

����4 �r ��� They still are

(4)

�_�4 �r ���

She still is

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

�C��34r ��� You still are

(8)

����34r ��� You still are

(7)

�_34r ��� You still are

Masculine

(12)

�(��34r ��� You still are

(11)

����34r ��� You still are

(10)

_34r ��� You still are

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

��'34r ��� We still are

(13)

�_34r ��� I still am

Masculine

and Feminine

First

person

(a) �* �r ��� /�d#* �s�6 enters upon a ������������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a �C�� (noun).

�* �r ��� /E Pt�a E ��4�/ �(�L�[ #* �s�6 �d Hasan is still a little boy

_����34 0$ �C��34r ����� u Are you still at home?

�(6PU�� ��'34r ��� We are still many

��'�-�� �#4 �r ��� They are still with us

(b) �* �r ��� /�d�6 #* �s enters upon a ������������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a ������-$ �������

(verb sentence) to mean ‘to come to’. The ������-$ ������� (verb sentence) must be a �"1��2�� ���-$ (imperfect

verb).

�* �r ��� / �d #* �s�6�=����#� #�� 3K�6 He still reads / is still reading his books

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204

14.2.6 �A �Z ��� (so long as, for as long as) is a sister of �����. It must be preceded by ��� which is not a negation

here. It has no �"1��2�� (imperfect) and is conjugated 0$�3409� (in the perfect) as follows:

Plural Dual Singular

(3)

��� �Z ��� So long as they are

(2)

��� �Z ��� So long as they are

(1)

�A �Z ��� So long as he is

Masculine

(6)

�(���Z ��� So long as they are

(5)

����� �Z ��� So long as they are

(4)

�_�� �Z ���

So long as she is

Feminine

Third

person

(9)

�C�����Z ��� So long as you are

(8)

�������Z ��� So long as you are

(7)

�_���Z ��� So long as you are

Masculine

(12)

�(�����Z ��� So long as you are

(11)

�������Z ��� So long as you are

(10)

_���Z ��� So long as you are

Feminine

Second

person

(14)

��'���Z ��� So long as we are

(13)

�_���Z ��� So long as I am

Masculine and

Feminine

First

person

(a) �A �Z ��� enters upon a ������������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a �C�� (noun).

E�v��[ �_���Z ���

For as long as I am alive

#��#5�6v��[ �_���Z ��� wP�9 0$ �N���x��E� Your speech will be in my conscience for as long as I am alive

�(�M���Z ��� �C#5�-��mn����[�� ��'�� We are with you so long as we are alive

�#5�6 #�y��'�-�� z �=�-�� ��'���Z ���

Allah will be with us so long as we are with him

(b) �A �Z ��� enters upon a ������������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a ������-$ ������� (verb

sentence) to mean ‘to come to’. The �������������-$ (verb sentence) must be a �"1��2�� ���-$ (imperfect verb).

����_���ZE���L�� #��#���

So long as I am a Muslim

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14.3 Half-sisters of �����

The expression ‘half-sister of �����’ is of my own coinage and is not found in Arabic grammar. I have

named these verbs so because they are only able to perform half the function of ����� . They enter upon a

������������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���! (predicate) is a ������-$ ������� (verb sentence) that is a ���-$�"1��2�� (imperfect verb). They are not able to enter upon a ������������� (noun sentence) in which the � ���!

(predicate) is a �C�� (noun). These verbs in Arabic are called o #��>1��K�34 #*��-3$ (the related verbs).

14.3.1 Verbs meaning ‘to begin’

The perfect verb �����> may be placed before a ���-$ �"1��2�� (imperfect verb) to mean ‘he began to . . .’, in

the same way as we placed the perfect of ����� before an imperfect verb to mean ‘he was . . .’.

������H��35�6 He was writing

�H��35�6 �����> He began to write

�����>#�� 3K�6 He began to read

The verbs ���-�� and �W�!�� among others, also bear a meaning of ‘to begin to’ apart from their other

meanings.

����� #*�#K�6 He was saying

#K�6 ���-��#*� He began to say

�]��G�6 �W�!�� He began to sit

14.3.2 �Z���) �Z��5�6( (‘almost’)

(a) �Z���)�Z��5�6( followed by a ���-$ �"1��2�� (imperfect verb) renders ‘almost’

�q#�� 3K�6 ����� He was reading it

�q#�� 3K�6 �Z��� He almost read it

> �XU�6 �Z����CF He almost trusted them

> �XU�6 �Z��5�6F�C He almost trusts them

=�>�� ��3U� #��#5�6 �Z��� He was almost like his father

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=�>�� ��3U� #��#5�6 �Z��5�6 He is almost like his father

S�g��� � ��� �=���x�� #��#5�6 �Z��5�6 His speech is almost bad

(b) When negated, �Z���)�Z��5�6( means ‘(can) hardly’

�q#�� 3K�6 �Z��� ��� He could hardly read it (lit. he almost couldn’t read it)

�CF> �XU�6 �Z��5�6 �d He can hardly trust them

(c) The structure �Z��� ��� / �Z��5�6 �d + ���-$+ J���[ +S ��� ���-$ means ‘hardly … when’ or ‘no sooner …

than’.

�� J���[ �q#�� 3K�6 �Z��� ����=�'� �%���534 �k3W�! He had hardly read it when

I took the book from him

�Z��� ����]���� J���[ _����34 J�4� �q�W�!���/ �q��>�� ���!�Z No sooner had he sat than his father

entered and took him home

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��%��'��(���

�����) #��#5�6 (����E�� , E������ he was kaana (yakuunu) kawnan, kiyaanan

������) �� ��3���( universe; being kawnun (akwaanun)

������ existence kiyaanun

���4 when (before perfect verb) lammaa

������'� when (before any verb) ⊂indamaa

�]���4 not (before noun sentence) laysa

�1��a) �P&�6 (ET�1/� ���a 1. to become

2. to come to Saara (yaSeeru) Sayruuratan

�T�1/� ���a becoming Sayruuratun

�l���a��)�l��&�6 ( 1. to become

2. to come to aSbaHa (yuSbiHu)

�k��>)�_���6( 1. to spend the night

2. to become

3. to come to

baata (yabeetu)

�N�p�/ imminent washeekun

�k��>E�5�p�/ it has become imminent baata washeekan

�A����M�� certain maHtuumun

E������M�� �k��> it has become certain baata maHtuuman

�* �r �� / �s�6 �d#* still Maa zaala / laa yazaalu

�* �r)#*/�s�6) (�_34�r (Ed �/�r to disappear zaala (yazuulu) (zultu) zawaalan

�* �/�r 1. disappearance

2. noon zawaalun

4 �N�p�/* �/�s doomed to early ruin washeeku az-zawaali

�A �Z ��� so long as Maa daama

�Z�A ) |z (E���/�Z To persist Daama (yaduumu) dauman

@0�[)}n����[��( alive hayyun (aHyaaun)

E�v��[ �_���Z ��� so long as I am alive Maa dumtu Hayyan

�����>) |. (mn���> to begin bada’a (yabda’u) bad’an

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}n���> beginning Bad’un

(imperf. verb) ���-�� / �W�!��+ to begin Ja⊂ala / akhadha

�Z���)�Z��5�6( almost, about to kaada (yakaadu)

�Z��� ��� /�Z��5�6 �d (could) hardly Maa kaada / laa yakaadu

�Z��� ��� / �Z��5�6 �d + S ��� ���-$+ J���[ +S ��� ���-$

‘hardly … when’

‘no sooner … than’

maa kaada / laa yakaadu +

perfect verb + Hatta + perfect

verb

E �� tomorrow (adv.) ghadan

#W�'�� since, for; ago (prep.) mundhu

S �F�p #W�'�� 1. for a month (past);

2. since a month ago;

3. a month ago

mundhu shahrin

��O #W�'�� from now onwards mundhu al-aana

A���34 #W�'�� from today onwards mundhu al-yawmi

34 #W�'����n�� since the beginning mundhu al-bad’i

E Pt�a �_�'#� #W�'�� since I was young mundhu kuntu Sagheeran

�T���� period muddatun

S �F�p T���4 for a month limuddati shahrin

�-$�,������ �� hollow verb fi⊂lun ajwafu

@A��B ���-$ proper verb fi⊂lun taammun

�;+��� ���-$ deficient verb fi⊂lun naaqiSun

09��34 the past (tense) al-maaDii

� �F�Y4 �09��34 / ���'�L4 ����9��34 last month/year (adv.) ash-shahra al-maaDiya /

as-sanata al-maaDiyata

#*��M34 the present (tense) al-Haalu

�34�L#���3K�� the future (tense) al-mustaqbalu

����� �C�� subject of kaana ismu kaana

����� � ���! predicate of kaana khabaru kaana

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209

Exercise 14.1

Express in English

~ .��� ���E�M�M�a �=�'�) �� ٢ .�P��� �"����� �G�?34 ���-�> ����� ٣ .#R�����zo ��� �! ���+ ����� "��9���34 �*���[ 04 ���L> �k3����> ���4 ٤ .SA�x�� ���t> �1.o J���� �]��G�6 ����� �=�B�����/ ������'� ٥ .��34 ����L�6 ������'�Z�x�34 �(� ��� �! ���+ #��#5�6 E �� =4��-3$��> �N ٦ . ��3U� c��'4 ���� �]��4. S 35�> 0>�� ٧ .�1����a ���Q�/ �1����!.o ���� ������'� ������2� �(�L�[ �1��aS*��[ ��#� J����

٨ . E�5�p�/ S(�L�[ #*��a�/ �k��> ٩ .3W�6 �* �r �����'6��34 ����/ J�4� �H�Q A���6 ��#���-���G34 , "�����zo 0$ ET� �� ١٠ .X6 �I4 J���� �(6 >��a ��'���Z ��� ��'�4 �X�M34 #��#5�6

١١ .%��Q�W4 �(� 0'�-�'��6 �Z����/ Ex6���\ E���x�� 04 #*�#K�6 �(�L�[ �W�!�� ١٢ .�H4��I4 �Z��� #�� 3K�6 ������'�#R�����zo �=�-�'�� ١٣ .E�����p �C�F3?�6 �Z��5�6 �d ١٤ .E �6��p E�>� �9 �=�>� �9�/ =�6����> �q�W�!�� J���[ => �XU�6 �Z������ ١٥ .z y �����

Exercise 14.2 Express in Arabic

1. Hasan was a new student last year.

2. Your presence in the council was a reason for many people leaving.

3. There were many men in the city.

4. When I arrived, Hasan had left the city four weeks ago.

5. Hasan used to go to the sea every day at ⊂

asr time.

6. When your brother takes you to the city tomorrow, Hasan will have arrived before you.

7. My book is not difficult. I have read it and understood it.

8. Maryam became an author and wrote beautiful books.

9. Their exit from the meeting became certain.

10. The book is still very difficult after many readings.

11. I am with you so long as I am alive.

12. When I entered, Hasan began to leave the meeting.

13. The boy’s statement is almost incorrect.

14. He can hardly begin to speak.

15. No sooner had be become a minister than he desired the president’s chair.

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��� ������������ ���� �� Chapter 15

Revolution II

����� and her sisters

15.1 �����

The particle ����� is used in Classical Arabic for emphasis and may be translated as ‘indeed’ or ‘verily’. In

Modern Arabic, it has lost much of its rhetorical strength and may have no translational value.

����� is the second of our ������ (abrogators). It enters upon a ������� ������� (noun sentence), abrogates the

��� of the ������� and subordinates it. ���� makes the ������� (subject) ���� �!� and the �"�# (predicate) �$�%&�"� . We may think of it as doing the opposite of ��'�( .

)��*��+�� �,�-'�.- ��'�( The student was hard working

�������*��+�� ,�-'�.- Indeed the student is hard working

����� cannot enter upon a ������/�& ������� (verb sentence). If we wish to emphasise a ������/�& ������� (verb sentence)

using ����� , we must bring the ���'�& (subject) forward so that the ������/�& ������� (verb sentence) becomes a

������� ������� (noun sentence). The particle ���0 may be placed before the ��/�& (verb) as a rhetorical flourish.

"12 %����"- $'������3 The man attended the meeting

�����"- ����"12 ���0$'������3 Indeed the man attended the meeting

15.1.1 When the ���� �4�� (subject of inna) is a �5��6 (pronoun), ���� it must be expressed as a �5��6�� �� ��

(attached pronoun). This is because the ���� �7�!�� �"�8'�6 (detached pronouns) only sit 9:�&; <�=� >�& (in the

place of raf) and the �"�8'�6 ����� �� � (attached pronouns) only sit >�&9,� � <�=� (in the place of naSb) or >�&?"� <�=� (in the place of jarr).

�@�"�( �A���� He is generous

� �@�"�( ��B

He is generous

�C�"�( '*���� She is generous

�C�"�( >�B She is generous

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�D"�( �4%E���� You (pl.) are generous

� �D"�( �4������ You (pl.) are generous

�F'C�"�( �G�*���� They (pl. fem.) are generous

�F'C�"�( �G�B They (pl. fem.) are generous

15.1.2 When �4�� ���� (the subject of inna) is a dual �H;'I�J �4�� (demonstrative pronoun) we have,

��'�KL��M ���NB These (two) are (two) students

��'�( �G���KL��M ���NB These (two) were (two) friends

������'�KL��M �GL�NB Indeed these (two) are (two) friends

15.1.3 We know that ����� may introduce a ������� ������� (noun sentence) in which an indefinite ������� (subject) is

preceded by a 9������� �A��I (quasi sentence).

�,�-'�O ���;���P- >�& There is a student in the school

����)'��-'�O ���;���P- >�& Indeed there is a student in the school

�+� �"�+�7P- ��/Q�R�� There is a meeting after fajr

)'S���+� �"�+�7P- ��/Q ���� Indeed there is a meeting after fajr

The indefinite �4�� ���� may be brought forward to immediately follow ����� .

���� ���;���P- >�& )'��-'�O Indeed there is a student in the school

�"�+�7P- ��/Q )'S���+� ���� Indeed there is a meeting after fajr

15.1.4 The particle T�- (not to be confused with the preposition T�- ) is another particle that may be used to

emphasise a ������� ������� (noun sentence). It is called �3�U����Q�3 �D (the lam of initiation) because, like ����� it takes its position at the beginning of the sentence. Because of its emphatic value, it is often called �D�3PV��-����( or ����- �D�3����( (the lam of emphasis).

���*��+�� W���� You are hard working

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W���X���*��+�� Indeed you are hard working

The particle ����� may be used to further strengthen a ������� ������� (noun sentence) already emphasized by

the �U����Q�3 �D�3 (the lam of initiation). When this occurs, there is a conflict between the two particles over

who should occupy prime position at the beginning of the sentence. ����� always wins and displaces the

�U����Q�3 �D�3 (the lam of initiation) so it has to resign to preceding a later part of the sentence. It is then

called ���K���2Y��P- �D�ZP- (the displaced lam).

(a) The particle T�- may precede an indefinite ������� preceded by a ���I9������� �A (quasi sentence).

P- >�& ����)'��-'�.�- ���;��� Indeed there is a student in the school

(b) The particle T�- may precede �"�# ���� (the predicate of inna).

���*��+���- [���� Indeed you are hard working

�- "���X �����4��\/ Indeed the matter is great

(c) The particle T�- may precede a ���I9������� �A (quasi sentence) attached to an elliptical �"�# (predicate).

����,�-'�.- �- P- >�7���;��� Indeed the student is in the school

]94��\� 9 %��# _��� W���� And you are upon a mighty character

] `94��\� 9 %��# _��/�- [����a ) 4�K-68:4( And indeed you are upon a mighty character

(d) The particle T�- may precede a �"�dP- <�=� >�& �$�;'1�� ��/�& (imperfect verb in the place of the

predicate).

�������*��+��- ,�-'�.- Indeed the student does works hard

If it precedes a �"�dP- <�=� >�& 9e'� ��/�& (perfect verb in the place of the predicate) it must be

accompanied by ���0 .

�����*��� ���K�- ,�-'�.- Indeed the student did work hard

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15.1.5 ����� is used for indirect speech to mean ‘that’ after �f'�0 (he said).

F'� ���0 �g'Q�� ���� �f'�0 He said that his father had passed away

)'1L�"� ��'�( �A���� �f'�0 He said that he was ill

It is also possible in Arabic, as we do in English, to have direct speech after �f'�0 . We simply place the

quotation after �f'�0 without ���� and without quotation marks or any punctuation.

�hL�"� '��� �f'�0 He said, ‘I am ill’

>�- �W�-'�0 �W=��M��>�i'�2>�Q�� �F��� ��/Q )���/M She said to me, ‘My life has become difficult

after the death of my father’

15.2 ������ ������������� (some sisters of inna ����� )

The �F�#������ (sisters of inna) all enter upon a ������� ������� (noun sentence) and abrogate the ��� of the

������� making it ���� �!� and the �"�# (predicate) �$�%&�"� .

15.2.1 ���� (that)

���� is used to mean ‘that’ in expressions such as ‘he mentioned that’, ‘he heard that’ and ‘the fact is

that’.

���� �"L�j�P- "�(�kF'� ���0 [���P- The minister mentioned that the king has died

)'1L�"� W�!%( [���� �W�/��� I heard that you were ill

)'KL��M ���� >�!l��Q�U'� >�- It reached me / I heard that a friend of mine came (lit. ‘that a friend of mine came reached me’)

�m�n'M )���=�� ���� �:�0�P- The fact is that Muhammad is truthful

�m�n'M �A���� �:�0�P- The fact is that he is truthful

�:�0�P-�m�n'M ��-�P- �NB ���� The fact is that this boy is truthful

>�KL��M [���� ��'B�N- G�� >�!/!� That you are my friend prevented me from going

(a) If we introduce ���� before a ������/�& ������� (a verb sentence), we must bring P-�7%���' (the subject) forward,

to act as �4�� ���� because ���� cannot be followed immediately by a ��/�& (verb).

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>�- � L��M �U'� A friend of mine came

�U'� >�- )'KL��M ���� >�!l��Q I heard that a friend of mine came

Not: �U'� ���� >�!l��Q>�- � L��M �

)�1L�"� �W!��P- �W�'�( The girl was ill

)�1L�"� �W�'�( W�!��P- ���� �W�/��� I heard that the girl was ill

Not: )�1L�"� �W�!��P- �W�'�( ���� �W�/��� �

(b) If the �&' ��� (subject) is an implied �5��6 (pronoun), we have to insert a �5��6�� �� �� (attached

pronoun) after ���� to separate it from %��/�7P- (the verb).

)'/L�"� ��'�( He was fast

)'/L�"� ��'�( �A���� �F�"�(�k I mentioned that he was fast

_6�"� �4���!%( You (pl.) were ill

���!%( �4%E���� �W�/���_6�"� �4 I heard that you (pl.) were ill

]�"12 They attended

]�"12 �4�*���� >�!l��Q I heard that they attended

(c) We have the following idioms produced using ���� :

���� "���o However, but

�U'�, )'q��I �f'�0 '� �A���� "���o He came but he didn’t say anything

���� :� Despite, even though

���� 4Po; Despite, even though

�A���� :� �U'� /)'1L�"� ��'�( �A���� 4Po; He came even though he was ill

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���� _��� (Considered) as

��L��� �A���� _��� �A�iPN#�� I took it as new

���� '��Q Since / because

���� %s��2 Since / because

[���� '��Q / �hL�"� [���� %s��2 , �3D���P- �GS2 �,BPNL

Since you are ill, Hasan will not go today

15.2.2 (b) �G�E�- /�G�E�-] (But)

�E�-] ���;���P- _�-�� '!��B�k �G:���� D���P- _6�"� ���'�( t��<�/��P- We went to the school but all the teachers were ill today

15.2.3 ��X�� (Because (lit. for that))

'!!��Q��X u,�2 ����'S���J ��#�� ��'S���J There is love among us because Man is brother to Man

15.2.4 ��/�- (Perhaps)

�;'��#�X ��v��O The news is good

��v��O ;'��#�X ��/�- Perhaps the news is good

'�!�� �����L�"�0 �4�*��/�- Perhaps they are close to us

15.2.5 ���V�( (as if / as though (lit. like that))

�G�� ���"# �4�*���V�( �4�*�i����Q�w�%��� They came out of their houses as if they are kings

'!/� W�!%( [���V�( (it is) as if you were with us

15.2.6 W���- / W���- 'L (if only)

W���-�5���( ��-�P- If only the boy were big

�B ��'�( )���=�� W���-'! If only Muhammad were here

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`��������/L >�����0 W���- 'L �f'�0a ) RL36:26( He said, If only my people knew (36:26)

x�"�/�I W���- 'L I wish I knew

15.2.7 �3 for ‘absolute negation’

�3 as a sister of ���� is used for absolute negation. That is, negating the very existence of a class of things.

The �3 �4�� must be H"�E� (indefinite), but it does not have �GL���!i.

��B'� ,�-'�O �3 No student is ignorant

�3���;���P- >�& ,�-'�O There is no student in the school

�3%O ��Z�& ���;���P- > There are no students in the school

�3�2�� �W���P- >�& There is nobody at home

�3�2�� [/� �,BPNL Nobody will go with you

�3�[I [�-�k >�& There is no doubt about that

�3�[I �m�n'M �A���� There is no doubt that he is truthful

Note the following idiomatic expressions:

�3yVQ Never mind, it doesn’t matter, it’s all right (lit. No detriment)

�3[����� yVQ Don’t worry, don’t be afraid (lit. No harm upon you)

�3�G�� ���Q ... … is necessary, inevitable (lit. There is no escape from)

�3�G�� ���Q [�-�k That is necessary

�3���Q [�- �G�� [�-�k You simply must do that

�3G�� ���Q �A/� �D�Z�EP- It is absolutely necessary to speak with him

(a) The word u>�� means ‘equal, (a)like’. We have the following expression:

x���!�� ��'���� '��B They are both the same to me / in my opinion

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'��B���ZP{��x���!�� They are both the same to me / in my opinion

When we negate u>�� using the �3 of absolute negation, we have the following idiomatic expression:

'����� �3] Especially (lit. and not equally)

�F'L]v"- '����� �3] ,��%EP- �GS2 %�"PKL Hasan reads books, especially novels

The definite word after '����� �3] is always �$�%&�"� .

15.3 ��� and her sisters

15.3.1 �G�| ) }G%\L( (to think, consider)

The verb �G�|)�G%\L( enters upon a ������� ������� (noun sentence) and turns both the ������� (subject) and the

�"�# (predicate) into �-��/P7��G�� (two objects).

�4�-'� %����"- The man is a scholar

)'��-'� �����"- �G�| He considered the man (to be) a scholar

�G�|)'=��=M D�Z�EP- He considered the speech to be correct

The first f��/P7��A�Q (object) was originally the ������� (subject) and the second was originally the �"�#

(predicate). This is why the second f��/P7��A�Q (object) is H"�E� (indefinite).

15.3.2 �G�| �F�#�� (Sisters of ‘Dhanna’)

The f'/P&�� (verbs) that mean to consider, deem, see, think, find, give etc. are sisters of �G�| . Like �G�| they

enter upon a ������� ������� (noun sentence) and turn both the ������� (subject) and the �"�# (predicate) into

�-��/P7��G�� (two objects).

)'��-'� �����"- �W���S2 I considered the man a scholar

)ZL���O D�Z�EP- ��/� He considered the speech long

(Also, ‘He made the speech long’. Here ��/� is not a sister of �G�|)

)'�v��O �'��EP- ��] He found the book good

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�����!� �"�#��

���� emphatic particle inna

�f'�0����... he said that … qaala inna

P-�:�0� ���� ... the fact is that … al-waaqi⊂u anna

�G�E�- /�G�E�-] but laakinna / walaakinna

����X because li’anna

��/�- perhaps la⊂alla

���V�( as if / as though ka’anna

W���- /W���- 'L if only layta / yaa layta

)'L (x�"�/�I W���- if only I knew yaa layta shi⊂ri

���� "���o However, but ghayra anna

���� :� / ���� 4Po; despite, even though ma⊂a anna / raghma anna

���� _��� (considered) as ⊂alaa anna

���� '��Q / ���� %s��2 since bimaa anna / Haythu anna

u[I)�w�%E�I( doubt shakkun (shukuukun)

[�-�k >�& �[I �3 there is no doubt about that laa shakka fi dhaalika

���� �[I �3... there is no doubt that … laa shakka anna

�yVQ harm, detriment ba’sun

�3yVQ never mind, it doesn’t

matter, it’s all right laa ba’sa

�3[����� yVQ don’t worry, don’t be afraid laa ba’sa ⊂alaika

�3�G�� ���Q ... … is necessary, inevitable laa budda min

u>�� equal, (a)like siyyun

x���!�� ��'���� '��B they are both the same to

me huma siyyaani ⊂indi

'����� �3] especially walaa siyyamaa

'I�� H;)�F( indication ishaaratun (aatun)

����(PV��- �D�3 / ����- �D�3����( the laam of emphasis laamu at-ta’keedi

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Exercise 15.1

Express in English

~ .)���� ��L��I �g�NB �A���#��X �A���2 ����

٢ .��}�- �g�NB >�& �H'�=P- ���� H5� �K�- '�

٣ .���2 �4%E��Pq�� >�!�����4%E�- )'[�-�k >�& �[I �3]

٤ .>�KL��M [����X x���!�� ��'���� >v!�� [�Q'B�k] >�/� �NB [���%���

٥ .�X] �H'�=P- �4P��� >�& �G��Q'��( �W���( �H�k'����X �g�NB ���� [l��Q P�B� �m�Z�#

٦ .[�-�k >�& ?[I �x�� ���+L �3 �A����] )���� ���6] "���X �NB ���� �f'�0

٧ .>�- [�-�k "�(�k �A���� >�- �f'�0] )H5�{�( )'(�%E�I �"���X �NB �f��2 ���� >�Q�� >�- �f'�0

�w�%E}�- �g�NB >�& >���%0�] �����#

٨ .�4�-'/P- �U'=���� <�%( �G�� �U'��}"�- )'�'����� �$������X �NB ��/Q ���� �;'��#�X >�& �U'�

٩ .�U'��I�X G�� 95�{�( �G�� ��'S���J �:!��L �F���P- G�� ���dP- ���� �:�0�P-

�D����=� �Ai��� ���� "���o �D'�L�X G�� )'���L

١٠ . �����0 ��� >��P��� �����& )��-] �W�!%( '���!�� >����%( �FP�"�0 >�!����-

١١ . �m�n'M [���� �[I �3 .)'1�L�� �m�n'M w'#�� ��/�-

١٢ . �A�- �WP�%0 :�� ���Q �Z�& �5�lM ���-] [���V�( ��'di [���� '��Q[/� >�Q'B�k �G

>�- �f'�K�& : [����� yPVQ �3 .B�k�Q'B�k �D��] [�Q'[ x���!�� ��'���� >�/�

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Exercise 15.2

Express in Arabic

1. These are my two friends. They are noble of character.

2. The fact is that these subjects are very difficult.

3. Indeed I have come to your (pl.) house out of love for you and because you are my friends.

4. When I heard from my friends that they were ill, I had already left Damascus.

5. He came to me as if he had reached his death and was restless.

6. I found you (dual) to be generous so I mentioned your names to the minister. Perhaps he will

mention you to the king tomorrow.

7. I heard that you prevented your children from going to school.

Indeed you have killed their minds.

8. I heard that you came to my house yesterday but left immediately that night.

9. These teachers of mine are noble of character.

10. His statement was clear but I did not hear it.

11. He said that he was ill so he did not leave the house.

12. The fact is that we arrived yesterday but did not hear anything from you.

13. Hasan’s brother is my friend. We are friends for the sake of Allah.

14. The rich man understood that love of wealth prevented him from many good deeds.

15. Indeed the high and mighty of the world are kings and presidents, but death kills all.

16. The minister said in the cabinet meeting that the matter is very great.

17. He prevented his brother from going to school because he was ill.

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�� ����������� ������� Chapter 16

��� and her sisters

16.1 ���

The particle ���� means ‘to’ (as in ‘he requested me to stay’) or ‘that’ (as in ‘he requested that I stay’). It

must be followed by a ������ ������ (imperfect verb) which it ���� ��� . The negative of ���� is ��� which is a

conflation of ���� +�� and means ‘not to’ or ‘that … not’.

���� ��������� He requested to go / that he go

���� ��������!�� He requested me to go / that I go

�����������!�� He requested me not to go / that I do not go

�" ��#� ���� ���!�� I want to go

16.1.1 ���� is called $%��"�� �&�'( (lit. ‘verbal-nounish particle’). This is because ���� and the �)���*�+,-�������) (verb

sentence) it introduces expounds or explains a ��"�� (a verbal noun) and is therefore, interchangeable with

a ��"�� (a verbal noun).

(a) ���� and �)���*�+,-�������) (verb sentence) it introduces may be .�/ 0���12�3����4*�5�6 (in the place of the direct

object).

7�#��8�12 92��� He wanted to sit

:���8 ���� 92��� He wanted to sit

���������12 He requested to go

���� ��������� He requested to go / that he go

���� ��������!�� He requested me to go / that I go

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�����������!�� He requested me not to go / that I do not go

�:�*,;12 <�/= �>�?@�12 A"B ��@���� We requested not to remain in the sun

��@�������� C�?�@D �:�*,;12 <�/= We requested not to remain in the sun

�E�F=��B9G �6��! ��@���� We requested to go and invite them

�@�������� � ����D�E����B�"DG We requested to go and call them

(“����D” �&�#H�� C��B “�E����B�"D”

the second verb is conjuncted to the first)

�E�F�1 2�#1�IJK�-L They said something to them

�"*�12 ��6 �M� N�@ �'�I 2��D�#O ���� �E�F�1 2�#1�I�)� They said to them to be close to the city gate

�)� �"*�12 ��6 �M� N�@ �'�I 2��D�#O ���� �E�F�1 2�#1�I They said to them not to be close to the city gate

(b) ���� and the �)���*�+,-�������) (verb sentence) it introduces may be 0�����B�4�12 .�/ (in the place of the subject of

the verb). This occurs especially with the following verbs that are usually used impersonally 0��2������*�1 (in

the imperfect).

1. �+G)���8 ( (to be necessary, obligatory):

�-��B �'�OR;12 ���8 Gratitude is incumbent upon us

���8 )�-��B ('#O�;D ���� Gratitude is incumbent upon us

S�6��! ���8 Your going is necessary

����= ���� ���8 It is necessary/obligatory that you go /

You must go (lit. ‘that you go is necessary)

�8 ����= ���� �� It is necessary that you don’t go /

you must not go

����= ���� ���8 �� It is necessary that you don’t go /

you must not go

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����= ���� ���8 ���T You should have gone

(Use ���8 ���T instead of �+G )

2. ,U()RU�/ ( (to be right(ful)):

S�6��! RU�/ Your going is right(ful)

����= ���� RU�/ It is rightful that you go

����= ���� RU�/ It is rightful that you do not go

����= ���� RU�/ �� It is not rightful that you go

3. M�O� ��)�M�O�*� ( (To be possible):

A��-�12 ���� ���� �M�O�*� It is possible that he will go today

A��-�12 ���� ���� �M�O�*� It is possible that he will not go today

A��-�12 ���� ���� �M�O�*� �� It is not possible that he will go today

�*� �M�1J2"�V ���!�� ���� M�O It will not be possible for me to go tomorrow

S� ���!�� ���� �M�O�*� ���T It was possible for me to go with you

4. ���� U@W used impersonally means ‘previously’ and is used as an alternative to J?�6W . ���� here is followed

by a XY ������ (perfect verb). This is because the expression invariably refers to a complete action.

J?�6W �Z�O�12 2��� [��'�I ��� Have you read this book previously?

�Z�O�12 2��� [��'�I ���� U@W ��� Have you read this book previously?

\��� ��@��! ���� U@W We have been there previously

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(c) ���� and the �)���*�+,-�������) (verb sentence) it introduces may be .�/ 0��]'+ �&�'( "��6 ��G�'�8*�12 �E�W��2 (in the

place of the majruur noun after a preposition).

�6 0�6�� 0�D' ��1 C�1� ������)W��"*�12 My father ordered me to go to school

' ��)0�D( 0�6�� �6�_���)W��"*�12 C�1� ���!�� My father ordered me to go to school

�E�F�=��B9 �A"BG ��6��! �A"��6 ' �� He ordered that we don’t go and that they should

not be invited

' ���6�E����B�"D ����G ����D ���_ He ordered that we do not go and that we do not

call them

C�1� �%�'8�12 0�� ����@�V�' �<�-@�12 They desire to run home

C�1� 2G�'�8 ���� 0�� ����@�V�' �<�-@�12 They desire to run home

In the above sentences, we can omit the ]'+ �&�'( (preposition). The elliptical ]'+ �&�'( (preposition)

remains part of the syntax so that the �)���*�+,-�������) (verb sentence) introduced by ���� continues to be .�/ 0��]'+ �&�'( "��6 ��G�'�8*�12 �E�W��2 (in the place of the majruur noun after a preposition).

' ��)0�D( 0�6�� �����)W��"*�12 C�1� ���!�� My father ordered me to go to school

�E����B�"D ����G ����D ���� ' �� He ordered that we do not go and that we do not

call them

C�1� 2G�'�8 ���� ����@�V�' �<�-@�12 They desire to run home

(d) ���� may be placed after prepositions and �3����4 �5-�� (adverbs) to produce a number of idiomatic

expressions. This allows us to introduce a �),-������ �)���*�+ (a verb sentence) after prepositions and �3����4 �5-��

(adverbs). ���� and the sentence it introduces are .�/ 0�� �&�'( "��6 ��G�'�8*�12 �E�W��2�&��*�12 .�/ 0�� �G� ]'+�5�-�1� (in the place of the majruur noun after a preposition or in the place of the possessor).

(i) ���� C�1� (‘until’)

S�6��! C�1� ��� C�?�6�_W I will stay here until your departure

����= ���� C�1� ��� C�?�6�_W I will stay here until you go

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(ii) ���� C��B (‘on condition that’, provided that’)

�a �5�1�#?= ���� C��B S�1�! S�1 �<��#IX"( I told you that on condition that you don’t tell

anyone

(iii) ���� ���@�I /���� ���@�I �M� (‘before’)

���!�� ��� ���@�I 0�D2'= &��W You will see me before I go

(iv) ���� "��6 /���� �"��6 �M� (‘after’)

����= ���� "��6 ��� C�?�6�_W I will stay here after you go

In the above expressions, if the action in the clause introduced by ���� is complete,

we use a XY ������ (perfect verb).

�<�-@�12 M� �<�+'c ���� ���@�I 0�� �5�=��c�� I took it with me before I left the house

�<�-@�12 M� ��+'c ���� "��6 �Md( ��eG Hasan arrived after we left the house

(v) ���� �'�-�V �M� (‘without’)

/�12 2��� ���c�_D ���� ��-��B��2�-�5���Z�?D ���� �'�-�V �M� We must take this animal without killing it

(vi) ���� ���G�9 (‘without’)

��2�-/�12 2��� ���c�_D ���� ��-��B���G�9 �5���Z�?D ���� We must take this animal without killing it

���G�9 �5�6 ,'�*= ���� S�-��B\2' ���� You must pass it without it seeing you

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16.2 Sisters of ���

Like ���� , her sisters make the imperfect verb ������� :

(a)

f�1 In order to

�g�K�1 In order not to ���a In order to

�g�-�T In order not to �0�T In order to

�g�-�O�1 In order not to �0�O�1 In order to

(b) �� C,Z( So that not C,Z( So that

(c) �M�1 Will never

(a) f�1 , ���a , �0�T , �0�O�1 , �g�K�1 , �g�-�T , �g�-�O�1 (‘in order to/not to’)

These particles are interchangeable.

0�D��B�"-�1 >+ He came (in order) to invite me

��1 JK�-L ���#? �0�T 2>+ They (two) came to say something to us

0�D�G' �g�K�1 2��@��! They went in order not to see me

�E�F�6 ,'�* �g�-�O�1 �U �'�H12 S�1�! C��B ���! He went on that path in order not to pass by them

(Note: You should be careful not to mistake the particle f�1 that goes ���@�IX����� X����� (before an imperfect

verb) meaning ‘in order to’ for the preposition f�1 , that goes Xh�*i �G�� XE�W�2 ���@�I (before a noun or pronoun) to

mean ‘to/for/belonging to’. They are two different words.)

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(b) C,Z( (not to be mistaken for the preposition C,Z( )

As a sister of ���� , C,Z( has two meanings, which can only be distinguished from context.

1. ‘so that’

J29��+�� ���#O= C,Z( S�=��B9 I invited you so that you are present

N�@�jk�12 M� ���#O= �� C,Z( S�=��B9 I invited you so that you are not amongst the

absentees

2. ‘until’

>0�8= C,Z( ��� C�?�6�_W I will stay here until you come

>0�8= ���� C�1� ��� C�?�6_W I will stay here until you come

When C,Z( means ‘until’ it may be followed by a XY ������ (perfect verb).

>+ C,Z( �lB9 He called him until he came

>+ C,Z( \��� �<-�?6 I stayed there until he came

[ C,Z( �l��6'i They hit him until he died

(c) �M�1 which means ‘will never’ negates a ������ ������ (imperfect verb) in the future.

��=��B9 �g�6 �� �g�W� ,E�Z �M�1 Our Islam will never be complete without our

call

�M�10�D2��B�" ���� \2�c�� C6�_ Your two brothers will never refuse to invite me

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������������

���� that / to

���� that not / not to

f�1 in order to

���a in order to

�g�K�1 in order not to

�0�T in order to

�g�-�T in order not to

�0�O�1 in order to

�g�-�O�1 in order not to

C,Z( so that; until

�� C,Z( so that not

�M�1 will never

�+G)���8 (���� / ���� it is necessary/obligatory that …

����= ���� ���8 it is necessary/obligatory that you go /

you must go

���� ���8 ����= it is necessary that you don’t go

����= ���� ���8 �� you mustn’t go

,U()RU�/ (���� / ���� it is rightful that …

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����= ���� RU�/ it is rightful that you go

����= ���� RU�/ it is rightful that you do not go

������= ���� RU�/ it is not rightful that you go

M�O� ��)�M�O�*� ( ���� it is possible that …

A��-�12 ���� ���� �M�O�*� it is possible that he will go today

A��-�12 ���� ���� �M�O�*� it is possible that he will not go today

� ��A��-�12 ���� ���� �M�O�* it is not possible that he will go today

�U�6W) ��G ,�[2( former, previous

J?�6W formerly, previously

J?�6W �Z�O�12 2��� [��'�I ��� have you read this book previously?

���� U@W formerly, previously

��Z�O�12 2��� [��'�I ���� U@W �� have you read this book previously?

' ��) n ( J2'� ��)f�6( to order l s.o. to do (� s.th.)

�' ��)�'� 2G��( order, command

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Exercise 16.1

Express in English

o .�1G �5� 0�D���c�_ ���� �5�1 �<��#I0�D���c�_ �E�1 �5,��O

٢ .J���6 �E�F����6 �'i 2��+'c ,*���� ,�� q> ���Ia2 r�'�s ���� ,�� 2��@����

٣ . ���1�H��1 #!Z�Wqa2 �3�I : ���1�H12 �3�?�� u �Z�O�12 2��� [��'�I ���� U@W ��� :�l��'�I�� ,*�1

٤ .�� #!Z�Wqa2 �3�? :���i�*�12 EF�4= C,Z( ���Z#O�12 �l��� ��#T ��'�?= ���� ���8

٥ .J2h�v�T 2G�w'�?= C,Z( x-�/,�12 E�F�4�12 2��k#��@= �M�1

٦ .X"y-+ �'�-�V ���O*�12 2��� ���z�� ��� C�?�@= ���� �M�O�*� ��

٧ .�1 RU�/ ��-��BG �E#O�1 ,U/�12 ���z�� 2��� �E#O�1���I 2�#1�#?= ���� �E#O

٨ .�7,�12 D2' �g�-�T Jg�-�1 �)� �"*�12 ���c9

٩ .J2{"�+ J)��-�*+ FZ �w�� �"�+�� 0yD�z�� �'�F,�12 S�1���6 ,'�*�����

١٠ .� 0�DG#��c�_-�1 �7,�12 >+�E�F� r�'�c�� ���� �<�-6�_�� �:���8*�12 C�1

Exercise 16.2

Express in Arabic

1. Do not go to see them because they are not good.

2. I mentioned that I had heard this opinion before and that it was not new.

3. I will go out tomorrow in order to attend a meeting but I will not stay there long.

4. She went out every night during the month in order to see the moon, but she did not see anything.

5. He will never hear your demands until you demand many times.

6. You must understand that. Perhaps I did not make myself clear previously.

7. Your understanding of these difficult statements in these old books was good. Didn’t they see that?

8. You have no right to demand all of these things from us.

9. It is possible that they will ask you about your previous statements.

10. They (two) invited you (two) so that you are not among the absent.

11. I ordered him to come to me and told him not to do that in the future.

12. Can my son go with you (pl.) for he has not been there before ? No, it is necessary for children to

stay with their parents.

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Answers to chapter 1

Exercise 1.1.1

1. To China

2. In the sun

3. From Syria

4. Peace upon you

5. Peace upon us

6. And peace upon me

7. A word from me

8. Close to you (f) and far from me

9. Peace on the earth

10. A sign from Allah to people

Exercise 1.2.1

1. The meeting of Muhammad

2. The sun of Islam

3. A word of good from me

4. Spending something of wealth

5. In our Syria and our Yemen

6. Allah’s word and His sign

7. The highest good and the lowest evil

8. Closer to him than you

9. The best of you to your women

10. The first of us in good

11. All the people on the earth

12. The closest relative to me

13. Closer to good and farther from evil (exercise is incorrect)

Exercise 1.1.2

� .������ � ��

� .��������� ��� ���������

� .������ ���� �! " .�#�$%&��'�#��(� � ) .�!���*� � �� +,-./���� 0 .�1��2����3� ��� 45�6���$ 7 .�5�8��#�9�� ��� +:�;��/.� < .�=��/� ���> 45�����6 ? .�@�/� +A����8�2 �B/�� +:C��D

�E . �F�G��-�� ��� +H���8

Exercise 1.2.2

� .� .G��I� �J�KLM� ��� %N

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Page 262: Ibn Jabal Arabica

2

Exercise 1.3.1

1. That book

2. From this sun

3. This word from me

4. Peace on this earth

5. This peace on the earth

6. A house in this valley

7. This house of his in the valley

8. This sign of Allah to Man

9. This daughter of Muhammad

10. The first of these people in goodness

Exercise 1.4.1

1. Little speech

2. The meeting of Muhammad the trustworthy

3. My new pen

4. This new pen of mine

5. In our beautiful Syria and our ancient Yemen

6. Allah’s highest word and His greatest signs

7. Spending a little (thing) of this wealth

8. Our temporal life in this small earth

9. Inappropriate in this short life

10. This student’s new book

Exercise 1.3.2

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Exercise 1.4.2

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3

Answers to chapter 2

Exercise 2.1.1

1. Allah is Greatest (Greater i.e. than all things)

2. The news is good

3. Muhammad is a beautiful/handsome man

4. The noun sentence is a subject and predicate

5. They are new (female) students

6. It is an incorrect sentence

7. These people are close to us

8. Hasan’s relative’s house is close to the sea

9. This enquiry of yours is useful

10. And your God is one God

11. Peace on the earth is not present

12. This is speech from my heart/conscience

13. This student (f) is better than all the students in the school

14. The boy is on the throne

15. We are in the school

16. There is a big meeting in the house

17. Those men are the new teachers

18. This is the new student

19. And Allah’s word is the highest

20. Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth

Exercise 2.4.1

1. Indeed Allah is All knowing Great

2. Indeed this is the truth

3. Indeed there is a word in the book

4. Indeed I am Allah

5. Allah was All knowing Great

6. He was a scholar in his earthly/temporal life

7. Your speech was in my heart/conscience

8. Was there good in it/him?

9. The house is not far from the sea

10. Is there not a word in the book?

Exercise 2.1.2

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Exercise 2.4.2

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Answers to chapter 3

Exercise 3.1

1. Why did the professor teach one book?

2. The women wrote a word and they understood

the speech

3. Is the calculation correct? Yes, it is correct

4. Muhammad did not write a book

5. Where did the female students sit all at once?

6. Muhammad understood a correct understanding

7. When did the boy grow (in age) and grow (in

size)?

8. Indeed we worked hard and we learnt the book

9. How will they (m) write the sentences?

10. Muhammad does not read / Muhammad is not

reading / Muhammad will not read?

11. Did you (m. pl.) not write? What did you write?

12. They (m. dual) can’t calculate/consider and how

will they calculate/consider?

13. The students read the ancient writing all at once

14. Does Hasan not understand the book? Yes indeed

(he does)

15. Does the boy understand the sentences?

Yes, and to understand correctly is beautiful.

Exercise 3.2

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5

Answers to chapter 4 Review Exercise 1

1. Did you (m. pl.) not read the word in the book?

2. There are signs on the Earth.

3. The girls went on the path until the sea.

4. Is there not a big desert in Iraq?

5. Is this word is a diptote.

6. Your statement is far from the correct understanding.

7. Many a time the student read about the declinable and

indeclinable (lit. variable and fixed (in ending)).

Exercise 4.1.1

1. We entered Makkah

2. Is speaking about the president forbidden in

Damascus?

3. The first house of Allah was in ancient Makkah

4. This is from senior scholars

5. This enquiry is for senior scholars

6. All of this has one meaning (lit. is with one meaning)

7. I shall teach you a lesson in the meaning of hard work

8. Musa took his long staff

9. How many times have you entered this valley in the

past?

10. There are beautiful meanings in this word

Exercise 4.5.1

1. We shall never enter these lands

2. I taught him a lesson but he did not read and did not

learn a thing

3. With whom did you leave the school? We did not

leave

4. Do not raise your hands

5. Let us sit on the ground a little

6. Enter this city with peace

7. Learn and teach and strive and work hard

Review Exercise 2

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Exercise 4.1.2

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6

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Answers to chapter 6

Exercise 6.1

(A)

1. Did anyone attend?

2. Yes, one of the (two) ministers attended.

3. The two school students (lit. students of the school)

sat on two chairs.

4. They are sound plurals.

5. The books are four.

6. They are broad-minded girls.

7. Three thousand (of the) men attended in nine

months.

8. Did any of the students read the six books?

9. The teacher read a hundred new names.

10. Hasan has a thousand pieces of land.

(B)

1. And good men are for good women.

2. There are many ministers in the council.

3. Allah sent Moses to the children of Israel and

Muhammad as a mercy to the worlds.

4. One of the ministers attended many long

meetings.

5. The number of men in the cabinet is very

many and the women are only three.

6. The professor wrote eight books in eight years

7. The scholar has status in the world.

8. In a thousand months there are a thousand

moons.

9. ‘⊂

ulamaau’ and ‘dimashq

u’ are two words (that are)

diptotes.

10. There are very many sciences in the old books and

in the new books too.

11. He wrote eight sentences in eight minutes.

12. One of the teachers (f) read the good news to the

students.

Exercise 6.2

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7

13. He wrote only two sentences. ���'�� �q��8��;�S �5���8�K�S ���

Page 268: Ibn Jabal Arabica

8

Answers to chapter 7 Exercise 7.1

(A)

1. There are only two words of truth in his speech.

2. The queen is very rich (lit. possessor of much

wealth)

3. Our fellow countrymen are the sons of our

fathers, our sons and the sons of our sons.

4. The scholars of Damascus possess correct

understanding

5. His name is Hasan and he is one of my good

brothers.

6. Your father went and took me and your brother.

7. A broad-minded student read about scholars of

much knowledge.

8. My two brothers went to Makkah twice.

9. My father took my little brother to my big

brother’s house / my brother’s big house.

10. Hasan: Did your father understand me?

Mary: Yes.

(B)

1. The student sat reading the six authentic books

until dawn. *

2. Your speech is far from the truth so we are

right.

3. Allah sent a prophet to the children of Israel

and sent with him his brother.

4. The scholar possesses broad understanding and

the ignoramus has a narrow mind.

5. Did he himself really come? And at fajr time

too? There is a good sign in the matter.

6. He understood one matter from the sum total of

the professor’s speech and writings : (that) he is

very strong in the sciences and of great

importance.

7. Many a brother hit his brother and many a good

quality did he lose (lit. went from him).

8. There are four aspects to the matter and they

are very difficult for new students so your

enquiry is very good.

9. Muhammad sat with his companions, among

them his fellow countrymen and men from

distant countries.

10. Mary possesses (high) standing with Allah

11. The son’s of our sons are our sons and (as for)

our daughters, their sons are the sons of men

removed (lit. distant). **

* Notice that we use ����B*� , a broken plural to describe .:.#�9�� , a non-human object. This is usually found in poetry. The

expression .:.#�9������B*� is commonly used to refer to the six

authentic books of prophetic traditions.

** In this line of poetry the predicate, ‘��Q-./�8’ precedes the subject,

‘ -./�8 ��/�j��/�8�S ’. This is permitted because there is no ambiguity in

the meaning.

Exercise 7.2

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Page 269: Ibn Jabal Arabica

9

Answers to chapter 8

Exercise 8.1

1. Nobody took me yesterday and nobody is

taking / takes me today

2. Enter at once!

3. We left Makkah during the day and arrived at

Medina at night

4. Have you read this book before? Yes, I read it

three times

5. Hasan to Mary: Have you been to Makkah

before? Maryam: Yes, I went twice.

6. He is a prophet of Allah

7. I have taught you this thing many times

8. Will Hasan not arrive tonight? Yes indeed. He

left his house in Makkah at fajr time so he will

arrive tonight if Allah wills.

9. Did you (pl) find him to be knowledgeable (lit.

a possessor of knowledge)?

10. The two mothers found their three sons in the

house

11. His word was an enormity to me

Exercise 8.2

� . �����b�S .1�i�h�S / �����I�� ���> �����b���8 .H�I�b�R

� .�S �P�b� �S { �a���Q | .[�-.�.#����� ����V��n���6 O1����� .[��/

� . ���I.#�6 � �� V5���8�K�S .1�A�_�2 ���/

�����S ���I.#�6 �5���8�K�S .�i�h�S �P�b | +A�$�S ��b/

| +A�$�S ��x�8 �:�b�R �P�b +A�$�S ��b�i�h�S ��� { �( /

+A�$�S ��x�8 �:�b�R ��� { �(

" .�U�C�-�8�S �q�� .�.��y�C { ����8 | �5�������� .�.��y�C �(�S

) .�K��x�Q �P��� � .x�I.#�6 .1��I��tu� �1�S���D

0 .���A�x�#�_ ���m�~�� �A���8 �l��I��tu�

7 .V(��$ .a�C�����2 + �3�$ �a�b��~�T

< .Y������6 OG��x�#�_� �A���8 V���-�C .���LM� .���9�/���;

?. V(��$ ��/�_���h�2 ��/���h�G

�E .�H���I�� � �� �H�_���h �X�-�C ��/���r�2

Page 270: Ibn Jabal Arabica

10

Answers to chapter 9

Exercise 9.1

1. And Allah’s Earth is vast.

2. Muhammad is handsome and quick of wit.

3. Muhammad’s daughter is quick of wit so she

understood the speech.

4. A word of truth is in the book /

There is a word of truth in the book /

In the book is a word of truth

5. The possessive construction is a possessed and

a possessor.

6. Why did the students go to Makkah and

Damascus in addition to the country of Iraq ?

7. Is the river of Egypt long and wide? Yes.

8. Where is the house of Hasan’s relative ?

It is close to the sea.

9. Will they really go to the middle of the desert

on Friday ? And why ?

10. Muhammad was the son of Abdullah.

11. The students go to the houses of the senior

scholars in Damascus.

12. The scholar has a broad understanding and the

ignoramus* has a narrow mind.

13. The (female) students read the writing on a

door of the house of the ancient caliphs in

Damascus.

* Not to be translated as, ‘the ignorant’, which refers to a plural –

an example of a singular adjective doubling as a generic plural

noun.

As a singular, the word ‘ignorant’ can only be used as an

adjective. One would have to say, ‘the ignorant person’.

Otherwise, one can use a noun such as ‘the fool’ or ‘the idiot’.

Alternatively, we can translate the sentence as, ‘scholars have

broad understanding and the ignorant have narrow minds’,

treating both a������ and P�b��m�� as generic.

Notice that the sentence is trying to convey the following

meaning: ‘those with broad understanding are (true) scholars and

those with narrow minds are (in fact) ignorant.’

Exercise 9.2

� .%N� .A�I� +A����.� � . �Ut�� +A�I� +A����.� /%N� �G��I� � �� +A�I� � . | � ����� �n���6 YP._�K .H�/�8 �H�Q�S �P�b* " . L&������r � �� � ����� %�P����D YP._�K .H�/�8 ��Q�S �(

O��A����8 ) . 45���C�A�D 45�'C���p { �a���Q | 45���C�A�D 45�'C���p ���b�S

OAC�A�_ Y]��#�6 ��� 0 .| %&������*� ���;�2 ���> �l-.I�b�i�C ��R���� 7 .4��R��#�;�S ���x�� 45����� Y �3�$ vX�S < .4P����_ OA����.� .U�_�2 ? .�2 OA����.��4P����_ +U�_

�E . +q�;��2�2 4PC�-�p �w����G ���> .wC��tu�/ +q�;��2�2 4PC�-�p �w����G .wC���p

�� .��-��.��� �����m�� ��� + �3�$ .����m�C V��'�$�S / | V��'�$ ��-��.��� �����m�� ��� + �3�$ .����m�C�S

�� .� ��-�'.��� .]tg�p �S���D �l��3�Q%�� ��-�'.$ � ��������� ���

�� . ���> � ����� .n���9�� �P._��� .:�b�i�C �����6 �A���I�� ���;�2 /�� ���;�2�5�/C�A��

�" . ���> �]��#�9�� ��� �5�~����y�� �:�#�6 ��R��� �w����G ��� �K��I�9�� %&�����.���/ �K��I�6 ���> �w����G %&�����. / �w����G ��� %&�����.��� �K��I�6 ���>

* YP._�K .H�/�8 is an indefinite 45����W�> even though the English is

‘the daughter of a rich man’. ‘The daughter’ is indefinite

because ‘a man’ is indefinite, just as ‘the middle of a desert’

is indefinite.

Page 271: Ibn Jabal Arabica

11

Answers to chapter 10

Exercise 10.1

1. And above every possessor of knowledge is

an all knowing.

2. Maryam arrived before all the people and

Hasan arrived after her.

3. The companions of the prophet Muhammad

sat around him and among them was Abu

Bakr.

4. Approximately a hundred authors from all

over the world attended the meeting.

5. All the students read their books on grammar

and morphology at fajr every day.

6. We called upon the professor between Asr

and Maghrib on Friday.

7. We took the path toward Makkah and arrived

at Asr time.

8. We sat under the strong Makkan sun where

the masses of people from all over the world

sat.

9. (The) Lord of the two easts and (the) Lord of

the two wests.

10. Everything is before you (at your disposal) at

all times.

11. The likes of Abu Bakr are non-existent in our

time.

12. My lack of trust in you is for a number of

reasons.

13. I am of the likes of you. Some people think I

am good and some people think I am not

good.

14. I took both his hands between my hands and

said some strong words to him.

15. I did not stay with him other than one night –

I stayed one night, no other.

Exercise 10.2

� .�( | .[.����s +A�$�S �P�h�G �P�b { .[�A���8 �(�2 .U���I�D �( � .� .X�A�����G-._.-�� .X�A � .���A�C �H���T ��/���-���S �P�6 { Y ��$ dP�6 ����

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�]���o�����2 ���*���� � ���8 0 .�2���� ��Q�A�_ �����s�2 �AB��m�� � �� �g�6 �U��-�D

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�X�A��� .b��~�T��/�� ? .��� � ��D �F�S � ��D ����2 O5������r �����s V5�����6

��b�����s O5�����6 �E .��/�Q����� ��� 45������D .U�������S�2 �F�-�D 4P._�K �-.b

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�� .�z�C .����8 �@�/ �@.T�A�_�2�2 OAB��_ �����s �=��/� V��A�_ V�AB��_

�� . �@���#�~�r ��#���6 ��� �@������ �@./�8� :���I�*� �5�'d���2

�" .���� O����� ����S .U��-�D .1�S���D Y:.#�6 ���A� / ���� dP�6 � �� Y]��#�9� O��A� Y:.#�6 �a������ %&����Q�S

Page 272: Ibn Jabal Arabica

12

Answers to chapter 14

Exercise 14.1

1. His opinion/doubt was not correct.

2. There was a big meeting after fajr.

3. When I began my question about the subject

the professor had already left.

4. When I found him he was sitting on the

ground without speech.

5. When the king hears about his actions

tomorrow he will have left the country.

6. Not all people are like Abu Bakr.

7. Hasan became angry when he heard the news

and he is patient in all situations.

8. Hasan’s arrival has become imminent.

9. He still goes to the city centre every Friday,

once a week

10. We will be (in the) right so long as we are

patient upon the path.

11. Hasan began to speak at length to me (lit. say

to me a long statement) and almost prevented

me from going.

12. The student was about to read when the

professor prevented him.

13. He can hardly understand a thing.

14. No sooner did he trust him, than he took him

by his hands and hit him severely (lit. a severe

strike).

14. Allah is (lit. was)

Exercise 14.2

� .�5���W����� �5�/�3� V�AC�A�_ V�I���p + �3�$ �l��6 � .��2.�.y� V�I�I�; �����m���� ��� ��.G-._.2 �l��6

�=��/� � �� Yn���6 �. +����6 4 ��_�K �5�/C�A���� ��� �l��6 " . � �� �����h �A�D + �3�$ �l��6 .H���r�2 ����

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���*���� �H�D�2 0 . V�A�s �5�/C�A���� ���> ��-.h�S ���i.h���C ����A�/�

�@���I�D �P�r�2 �A�D + �3�$ �l-�9�C 7 .I���r ��8��#�6 ����� V� ..U.#���x���2 .U.T�S���D �A�'� < .V5������_ V�I.#�6 �H�I�#�6�2 V5�I�T��6 .a�C���� �H���I�r�S ?. V��-.#���� �,����#�_�(� � �� �a.x._2.�.h �1��8

�E . O1�L&����D �A���8 V��A�_ V�I���r .]��#�9�� � ����C �( O��n���6

��. �� �a�9���� ��Q�SV����$ .H��.G � �� . � �� .�.��y�C + �3�$ �P���_ .H���h�G ����A�/�

�,����#�_�(� �� .Y�����r �����s �A��-�� � �-�D �l-�9�C .G��9�C

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����j��� B��;���6

Page 273: Ibn Jabal Arabica

13

Answers to chapter 15

Exercise 15.1

1. Indeed his love for this sister of his is very

strong.

2. Indeed life in this world is short.

3. I came to you out of love for you and there

is not doubt about that.

4. This sitting of yours with me and your going

(away) from me are the same to me because

you are my friend.

5. Have you heard that this professor wrote two

books on biology and ethics?

6. He said that this matter is very clear and that

he does not find any doubt in that.

7. My father said to me that there are many

doubts about this matter and he said to me that

he mentioned this to me out of fear of me

falling into these doubts.

8. It was mentioned (lit. it came) in the news that

after this week, there is a meeting for

presidents from all over the world.

9. The fact is that fear of death prevents Man

from many things but his death is certain

one day.

10. If only I had read my books when I was a boy,

for my knowledge now is little.

11. There is no doubt that you are truthful.

Perhaps your brother is truthful too.

12. I said to him: since you fear as if you are a

small boy, it is necessary for me to go with

you.

So he said to me: Don’t worry. Your going

and your not going with me are the same to

me.

Exercise 15.2

� .�l��i�b �A�r�C���6 ���.b�2 �F��'C�w��.y�� ��� � .��-��q��W��-���� �[�i�b tl�S .q�D� V��A�_ 45�I���r � .��j��D�A�r�S �a�9�QL%M�2 �a�9� V��I.$ �a�9�#���8 .H���_ �A�'� " .��W���� �-.Q��6 �a.x�Q�S ��j��D�A�r�S � �� .H�����; ����

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�E . V���W��2 .U��-�D �l��6�2 .U.#�����; ��� ��/�/�9� /.U�����;�S �a� �� .�H���I�� � �� �����h ����� V��C���� �l��6 .U�Q�> � ��D �� .��-��V�����c ��/�����; ��� ��/�/�9��2 �����S ��/���r�2 ��/�Q�S .q�D

/ \&���c �F�S�a�9�/�� �� .Y �3�$ -.h�S �A�r . ���/�� ��'C�A�r.$ �l��'C�Ut�� V��I �" ..U���/�� � ����� �:.$ tl�S � ����� .n���9�� �P._��� �a�x��

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�q����m�� �P.#�'�C �1�-���� � �9��2 �0 .�D+a��z� ����LM� tl�> %&��K.�.-�� �����m�� ��� .�C���-�� � �

V��A�_ �7 ..U�QL%M �5�;�K�A���� ���> �]��bti� � �� .[��h�S �q�/��

V��C���� �l��6

Page 274: Ibn Jabal Arabica

14

Answers to chapter 16

Exercise 16.1

1. I told him to take me with him but he did not

take me.

2. They demanded of us that the strong among

us go out so when they went out they hit each

other.

3. The teacher said to the student, ‘have you read

this book previously?’ So the student said, ‘I

have not read it yet (but will soon)’.

4. So the teacher said, ‘you must read all of

these books so that you understand the

subject.

5. You will never attain correct understanding

until you read much.

6. You cannot stay here for this place is not

good.

7. It is right for you to make this statement of

yours for you are right and we are wrong.

8. We entered the city at night in order that the

people don’t see us.

9. Let us pass that river for I find its sight very

beautiful.

10. The people came to take me to the council but

I refused to go out with them.

Exercise 16.2

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�. �� V�A�s .�.��h�S �!�-�; / �lL%M / ���6 / ���9� ����/.b ��'�8�S � � ��/�/�9��2 V� ����#�_� ��.��$�S VgC�-�p

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) . O1����� �:���u�T ��#�$ �@�T��I���p �q���3�C � � V��n���6

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