Browse Category
Grammar
82 posts
Grammar (nahw) is fun: Learn about syntax, conjugations and I’rab.
Subcategories
How to Use the Nun of Emphasis – نون التوكيد – in Arabic
Arabic uses نُون التَّوْكِيد (Nun of Emphasis) to add strong emphasis to present tense and imperative verbs. This article explains how to form both the "light" Nun (ن with sukūn) and the more common "heavy" Nun (نَّ with shadda), providing step-by-step instructions and examples to help you master this emphatic mood.
Why is the Word for “War” (حَرْب) Feminine? Arabic Gender Exceptions Explained
Identifying grammatical gender in Arabic can be tricky due to exceptions. This article clarifies feminine indicators (تاء تأنيث, ألف تأنيث ممدودة/مقصورة), then highlights common masculine-looking nouns that are actually feminine (like حَرْب "war" and شَمْس "sun"). It also covers gender for body parts, proper nouns, and nouns that can be both masculine or feminine.
A Grammar Guide to Arabic Particles: When to Use إذا, إذْ, and إذًا
The Arabic words إذا, إذْ, and إذًا look similar but have distinct uses. This guide clarifies إذا as a conditional conjunction for possible events, إذْ as a causal or temporal conjunction for past events, and إذًا (or إذَن) as a conversational "then" or "therefore." Understand their grammatical roles and avoid confusion.
The 10 Types of ما (ma) in Arabic: A Complete Guide
The Arabic word ما (ma) is a powerful, versatile device. This article breaks down its ten different types, distinguishing whether it acts as an ism (noun) or harf (particle). Learn its uses in negation, questions, relative and conditional clauses, emphasizing meaning, forming Masdar, neutralizing grammatical effects, and expressing surprise.
The Secret to Finding Any Arabic Root: Just Remember سألتمونيها
Almost every Arabic word has a root of three or four letters. Identifying these roots (جِذْر) is straightforward because only ten specific "extra letters" (حُرُوف الزِّيادة) can be added to a radical. These letters are conveniently summarized in the word "سألتمونيها" (sa’altumuuniiha).
What Is a “Causative Description” (نعت سببي) in Arabic?
The Arabic نَعْت سَبَبِيّ (causative description) can be tricky, often leading to misinterpretation. This article explains its unique rules, differentiating it from true descriptions, and clarifies how the adjective agrees with the described item and its subsequent noun, with clear examples.
What Is an Ism al-Masdar? The “Other” Verbal Noun in Arabic
Arabic features اِسْم الْمَصْدَر (Ism al-Masdar), a shorter form of the original Masdar that often points to the action's result. This article clarifies its difference from the primary Masdar (e.g., غِناءٌ vs. تَغْنِيَةٌ), showing its frequent use by native speakers for ease of pronunciation.
Understanding the Interpreted Infinitive (الْمَصْدَر الْمُؤَوَّل) in Arabic Grammar
The Arabic verbal noun often appears as الْمَصْدَر الْمُؤَوَّل (interpreted infinitive), formed by أَنْ or ما followed by a verb. This article clarifies how it achieves the same meaning as the explicit Masdar (e.g., أُريدُ أَنْ أذْهَبَ vs. أُريدُ الذَّهابَ), and notes the verb's accusative mood.
“Prayer is Better Than Sleep”: The Unique Grammar of خَيْرٌ (khayr) in Arabic
The Arabic phrase "Prayer is better than sleep" (الصَّلاةُ خَيْرٌ مِن الْنَّوْمِ), recited during Fajr, has unique grammar. This article explains why خَيْرٌ means "better," deviating from the typical comparative pattern, and clarifies its usage and historical development from "good."
Can You Read Arabic without Dots?
Historically, Arabic was written without vowel signs or dots, a "skeleton script" that makes reading challenging. This article demonstrates how five distinct Arabic letters become identical without dots, and credits al-Farahidi for developing the modern system with diacritics.
