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Why Do Some Arabic Nouns Have Two Plurals? The Minor and Major Plural Explained
Arabic features a special plural form called “minor plural” (ุฌูู
ูุน ุงููููููุฉ), used for small numbers (3-10), contrasting with the “major plural” (ุฌูู
ูุน ุงููููุซูุฑุฉ) for larger quantities. This article clarifies when to use forms like ุฃูุดูููุฑ vs. ุดููููุฑ for “months” and provides rules and examples for these distinct plural patterns, often overlooked but present in classical texts.
In Arabic grammar, a special form of plurals, known as the minor plural (ุฌูู ูุน ุงููููููุฉ), is used to refer to a limited number of items, typically between three and ten.
This article clarifies the distinction between the minor plural and the more common major plural (ุฌูู ูุน ุงููููุซูุฑุฉ), explaining why words like ุฃูุดูููุฑ and ุดููููุฑ are both correct plural forms of month (ุดูููุฑ) but convey different quantities.
So, let’s start our discussion:
โค What is the difference between ุฃูุดูููุฑ and ุดููููุฑ which are both translated as months? There is a fine difference!
The appropriate form depends on the number to which it refers. In our case, it depends on the number of months. Watch out: What we’re discussing here is more theoretical, as in practice, people mix it up all the time. However, if you know the rules, why not use the correct form?
Note: The original meaning of the word ุดูููุฑ is: the new moon when it appears.
Rules for the minor and major plural in Arabic
The rules for the minor and major plural in Arabic are simple:
- The form ููุนููู is used for big numbers and is called ุฌูู ูุน ุงููููุซูุฑุฉ (major plural) – jamสฟ al-kathra. This is the standard pattern.
- The form ุฃูููุนูู is used for small numbers (3 to 10) and is called ุฌูู ูุน ุงููููููุฉ (minor plural) – jamสฟ al-qilla.
Examples of the minor and major plural
Let’s see some examples of the minor and major plural in Arabic:
| plural large numbers | plural small numbers | singular | |
| face | ููุฌููู | ุฃูููุฌูู | ููุฌูู |
| month | ุดููููุฑ | ุฃูุดูููุฑ | ุดูููุฑ |
| line | ุณูุทููุฑ | ุฃูุณูุทูุฑ | ุณูุทูุฑ |
| star | ููุฌููู | ุฃูููุฌูู | ููุฌูู |
Let us now place both plural forms – minor and major – side by side:
| several months | ุนูุฏูุฉ ุงูุดูููููุฑ |
| four months | ุฃูุฑูุจูุนุฉ ุฃูุดูููุฑ |
NOTICE that there are several patterns for the ุฌูู ูุน ุงููููููุฉ (for things that are between 3 and 10 in number). You will find them in the book Arabic for Nerds 1.
Arabic broken plurals – despite their bad reputation – are actually not difficult. It is possible to put all major forms and rules on a single poster, a blanket or a shower curtain!
You can quickly check singular and plural forms and learn about the most important features of each pattern. For each pattern, there is an example. Every word is fully vowelled.
Get this great study tool today!
Wanna cite this article?
Driรner, G. (2016, April 14). Why Do Some Arabic Nouns Have Two Plurals? The Minor and Major Plural Explained. Arabic for Nerds. https://arabic-for-nerds.com/grammar/plural-forms-arabic-jama-kathra/
Published: April 14, 2016
Please check the citation before use, especially if your style guide has local requirements.
Publication ISSN: 3055-1730
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