Browse Tag
suffix
15 posts
Suffix: A morpheme added to the end of a word to modify its meaning or grammatical function. In Arabic, suffixes can indicate tense, mood, gender, number, and case, playing a crucial role in the language’s morphology.
Sentence Autopsy: The Invisible Predicate of Praise in Sura 1:2
Four words hide a surprising amount of grammar. Why is الْحَمْدُ nominative, where is its predicate, what is رَبِّ doing, and why does الْعَالَمِينَ behave like a sound masculine plural?
The Hamza Overcorrection
Trying to fix an Arabic typo can create a new one. On a Cairo street sign, a well-meant Hamza correction left one Hamza too many — turning a small spelling fix into a small spelling fight. Thanks to this sharp catch by Marnix Demesmaeker, let’s unpack the glottal-stop rules behind it.
Why Is كَأَنَّ a Sister of إِنَّ but لِأَنَّ Is Not?
This article delves into a fascinating Arabic grammar question: Why do classical grammarians list كَأَنَّ as a sister of إِنَّ, but not بِأَنَّ or لِأَنَّ? We explore the nature of the particle كَ, analyze common use cases, and examine examples from the Qur'an and classical poetry to find answers and invite further discussion.
A Guide to Arabic Collective Nouns and Plurals (اسم الجنس)
The Arabic plural has many subtleties, including special collective forms. This article explains different plural categories and then focuses on collective nouns, like those for "camel." It also clarifies agreement rules in Arabic and compares them to English collective noun usage.
How to Use Two Pronoun Suffixes with One Verb in Arabic
Adding two pronoun suffixes to Arabic verbs is a rare and challenging construction often found in literature and religious texts. This article dissects the word إِيَّاهُ, explains the rules for handling two objects, and provides examples from Hadith for clarity.
Can You Pass the Al-Jazeera Arabic Grammar Test? A Nerd’s Guide to the Toughest Questions
Al-Jazeera's online quiz tests Arabic grammar (صرف and نحو). This article breaks down challenging questions on demonstratives, relative pronouns, verb conjugations, and various accusative types to help you master the test.
How to Form the Imperative of the Dual in Arabic: The Example of Qāla – قالَ
While rarely used in colloquial Arabic, forming the imperative dual (الْمُثَنَّى) tests your understanding of Arabic roots. This guide breaks down the steps to build the imperative, especially with weak letters, using clear examples.
The Masdar Sina’i – مصدر صناعي: A Simple Guide to Arabic Abstract Nouns
This article explains the formation and importance of artificial infinitive nouns (مَصْدَرٌ صِناعِيٌّ) in Arabic. These nouns, often built from Nisba nouns, are crucial for expressing abstract concepts in modern Arabic.
4 Ways to Say ‘To Have’ in Arabic (And When to Use Each One)
This article explains the four main ways to express "to have" in Modern Standard Arabic. Explore the subtle differences between لِ, مَعَ, عِنْدَ, and لَدَى for possession and presence.
How to Say ‘Both’ in Arabic: A Simple Guide to Using كِلا and كِلْتا
Arabic has a special way of expressing the English word "both". You use the words كِلَا or كِلتا in a dual construction.
