Unlocking Arabic #2: Distinguishing قادة and قيادات

In the series Unlocking Arabic, I would like to address and discuss the finer points of Arabic grammar and word formation in a loose sequence – and do so quite concisely and precisely in small bites.

To answer this question, we must first examine the form of the two words, and we must know about the intention of the reader or writer.

What is the root of both words? It is ق-و-د which means to lead and not ق-ي-د which means to bind; to tie. If you have difficulties finding the root, it is usually a good idea to check the present tense (الْمُضارِعُ) form, which normally includes the weak root letter. In our example: يَقُودُ

The word قيادات

• The word قيادات is the plural of one of the verbal noun forms (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb قَادَ – يَقُودُ which means to lead; also: to conduct. The singular form of the مَصْدَرٌ is قِيادةٌ and basically means leading.

• In the Oxford Dictionary, قِيادةٌ is translated as leadership, command, government; also: steering, driving. For example: under the leadership of (تَحْتَ قِيادةِ); army command (قِيادةُ الْجَيْشِ).

➤ So if we want to stress on the event of the action of the root, i.e., leading, we use قِيادةٌ. That is precisely what the مَصْدَرٌ is expressing (يَدُلّث عَلَى الْحَدَثِ).

The word قادة

• The word قَادةٌ is the plural of the active participle (اسم الفاعل) of the I-verb قَادَ – يَقُودُ. The singular form of the active participle is قائِدٌ.

• In the Oxford Dictionary, قائِدٌ is translated as leader, commander; also: driver, pilot. For example: military leader (قائِدٌ عَسْكَرِيٌّ).
• Note that there are other plural forms as well, for example: قُوّادٌ or in classical Arabic also قُوَّدٌ and قاداتٌ.

➤ So if you want to stress on the ones doing the action, i.e., the leaders, then we should use قائِدٌ.

What can we learn from this?

Many Arabic dictionaries do not specify the form, and active participles, infinitives or even stative nouns are often blurred in translation. To understand a sentence correctly, we must always look at the nature and form of a noun (اِسْمٌ) and if and how it was derived (مُشْتَقٌ).