Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

1
The alif-baAccording to My Transliteration:

aa, b, t, th, j, H, kh, d, dh, r, z, s, sh, S, D, T, TH, `(this is not , but the thing on the left of my 1 key), rh, f, q, k, l, m, n, h, w (or oo), y (or ee).
fatHatun: a; Dammatun: u; kasratun: i; shaddatun: xx; tanweenun: I add a n to the harakatun; hamzatu-lqaTa`i: I just write the harakatun or a when
necessary; hamzatu-lwaSli (when not pronounced): -x; (when pronounced): same as hamzatu-lqaTai.


Three Kinds of Words in Arabic:

Verb Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Adverb Letter, Particle
` ` , - / ` ,` ` ` ,` ,` - / . ` ' ` / '
Note: The singular ismun has a hamzatu-lwaSli, but not the plural.


Vowels:

, - / ` . , - -` ` ` . ` .` , ` ,
` `, ,` . -` . ,` . ` .


Moon Letters: Sun Letters:

` , ` ` ` ` ,` ,` - `, , ` ` ,` ,` -

_ _ . . . , _ _ _ _ _ . '
A good mnemonic: the Sun Letters contain all pairs (but not triples) - except a`ynun and rhaynun - and noonun (when the sun shines) and lamun (two sukoons
in a row).

When a word beginning with a definite alif lam is immediately followed by a Sun Letter, the lamun is not pronounced. Instead, the alifun (a hamzatu-lwaSli)
combines together with the Sun Letter, which takes a shaddatun (e.g. alHuroofu-lshamsiyyatu becomes alHuroofu-shshamsiyyatu).

Moon Letters pronounce the lamun.


Two Kinds of hamzatun:

hamzatu-lwaSli (The Silent hamzatun)
` . , ,` , ` ` , ` ` , / ` .` , ` .` , ,

This hamzatun prefers, in conversation, to remain silent unless it is forced to speak. The waSli sign (a Sadun over the alifun) is only written when the hamzatun
is not pronounced otherwise, just write the alifun with harakaatun. This hamzatun connects between words (e.g. hamzatu al-waSli becomes hamzatu-lwaSli).
It is always present (though not always written) on the definite alif lam. It is only pronounced when it begins the sentence.

Remember: Arabic doesnt like two sukoonuns in a row but even if you dont have the sukoonuns, you still write the letters without the harakaatun.

waSli usually changes previous vowel from sukoonun into kasratun.

hamzatu-lqaTa`e (The Outspoken hamzatun)
_ = ,` | . ` , . ` , ' , / . ` ' , . ` '
(lit. the hamza of chopping)
Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

2

Likes to be heard.

Remember: If hamzatun is written on alifun, it is not an alifun i.e. not a long vowel. If hamzatun is written with no seat after an alifun, the alifun is not its
seat it is a long vowel followed by a hamzatun.


Interrogative Particles:

` - ` ` ,` , , ` . ' . . ` . `, ' . .` , . , . _ .
(lit. seeking to know)


Three (Really Two) Kinds of Nouns:
In Terms of Case Endings

There are two categories: mu`arabun and mabniyyun. Basically, one whose case ending change and one whose case endings dont change. There is a subcategory of
mu`arabun called mamnoo`un mina-SSrfi (lit. prohibited from change) which is limited in that its only change is from Dammatun to fatHatun. For the record,
there are eleven (!) causes for a word to be manSoobun and two which cause a word to be majroorun. (Dont worry, Jihad said we dont have to know this.)

mu`arabun
` , ` .

mamnoo`un mina-SSrfi (lit. Prohibited from Change)
` ,` . ` _` ,` ` . ` , - . ` ,,` , . ` . . ` ` - '
Plurals with Four or More Syllables Colors Some Womens Names Stative

This is a subcategory of mu`arabun. These words only change from a Dammatun (or Dammataani) at the end to a fatHatun (or fatHataani), when manSoobun,
and even when majroorun.

All Broken Plurals with four or more syllables are mamnoo`un mina-SSarfi, but when they are made ma`arifatun they lose that status, so can become majroorun,
etc., as the case may be.

mabniyyun (lit. built)
` ` , .

Its case ending is still wearing a hardhat. The case ending never changes for grammatical reasons, but sometimes it does for phonetic reasons like when attaching
pronouns. (Even though it doesnt change for grammar, it can still be categorized as majroorun when preceded by a Harfu-ljarri, or as a manSoobun when the
direct object of a verb.)


Demonstrative Pronouns
_ ` ` ,`
(lit. pointer nouns)


Five Characteristics of Modified Nouns (mauSoofun and Sifatun):
In Terms of Its Modifiers Following Suit
And Which, in Fact, All Nouns Contain
(Relationship #3)

Followers of the clique leader all imitate the leaders dress. The modifier (adjective) must match the modified noun in the five ways mentioned here.

Case Ending
1 ` .` ,` .` ` _` ,` ,` - ` _` , ` ,
(lit. erect) (lit. Drag) (lit. hoisted)

Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

3
Definiteness
2 , ,`
All nouns are born nakiratun (naked) on a farm (dont ask). As they get older, they begin to explore the farm. That is when they meet the alif lam(b) (think baaa)
who eats away their tanweenun. Now definite, they are ma`rifatun.

Gender
3 .` ,` ` , `
Quantity
4 ` , ` _` ` ` _` -
Intelligence
5 ` ,` ,


Two Kinds of Sentences:
A Silly Distinction for Our Purposes

A General Rule: Ignore punctuation when determining your jumlaatun. Very often, a number of jumlaatun are found in one single sentence.

Nominal Sentence (Relationship #1)

Predicate (kind of lit. the news) Subject (lit. starter, beginner)
` , - ` , ` ` ` - ' ` `

Neighbor in the rural village gossiping about the events at the farm. Begins with a noun (skipping over any prepositions or particles).

Rule: mubtadaun is almost always ma`rifatun. Arabs want to know what you are talking about! When mubtadaun is nakiratun, the sentence begins with the
khabarun (called khabarun muqaddamun lit. advanced predicate), and is then followed by the mubtadaun (called mubtadaun muakhkharun lit. delayed subject).

Rule: mubtadaun is only the first word of what in English is considered the Subject, but the khabarun can be many words.
(e.g. The large chicken knows. In English (I think), the large chicken is the subject. In Arabic, just chicken would be.)

Note: Words with attached pronouns that begin a sentence are not (entirely) mubtadaun. Only the word itself is mubtadaun and not the attached pronoun e.g. in
my book is big, in the word kitaabee (my book), only kitaab is mubtadaun, not ee. Be aware that ee is not khabarun either; it is in no mans land.

Note: In the sentence lee ukhtun (I have a sister or lit. for me is a sister) lee is not the mubtadaun! ukhtun is! In English this works with the literal translation.

Verbal Sentence (Relationship #4)

Direct Object / Acted Upon / Prankster (Optional) Subject / Actor (Mandatory) Verb / Action (Mandatory)
, ` ,` ` .` ,` .` ` , ` ` ` - `

Begins with a verb (skipping over any prepositions or particles). Noun is either assumed or can appear as subject of sentence, but only after the verb.

The Acted Upon / Direct Object/ Prankster has its Dammatuns turned to fatHatuns (needles).

Rule: Whenever you find a fi`lun, it is beginning a jumlatun fi`liyatun.

Rule: maf`oolun bihi manSoobun is only the first word of what in English is considered the Direct Object. In fact, fi`lun and faa`ilun are both only one word.

kaana and her sisters are exceptions to this in that the sentence they begin are jumlaatun fi`leeyatun because they start with either kaana or one of the gals, but
nonetheless they do not have faa`ilun or maf`oolun bihi manSoobun.

Remember: Every Nominal Sentence in Arabic has a Verbal Sentence inside it.

In a jumlatun fi`liyatun with a number of explicit (i.e. not Dameerun mustatirun) and separately listed subjects (e.g. not naHnu), the fi`lun is always singular it
matches the subjects only in gender and person e.g. yadrusu huya wa hiya wa-ddajaaju (He and she and the chicken studies).
Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

4
The only time the fi`lun will be feminine is if all of the subjects are female. If a guy walks into a NOW conference, and they act, that action, in Arabic, is described in
its male form (probably to their chagrin).
What if a mismatched gender immediately follows the fi`lun? e.g. yadrusu hiya wa huwa? I asked Jihad. He said he is not sure, but to assume for now that this
example is the correct way to say it.


Prepositions:
(Relationship #2)

Beat Down Noun Preposition / Beater
` _` ,` ,` - ` , - ` ` , -
When the word grows up, it leaves the idyllic countryside and moves to the Los Angeles, ending up on the wrong side of the tracks wearing his red overalls in crip
turf. He ends up getting his case ending beaten into kasratun (or kasratuns as the case may be). Note: this only occurs when the Harfun is a preposition not when
it is an interrogative particle.

Also Note: When dealing with Human Sound Masculine Plurals (ending in oona), the Harfu-ljarri beats down the wawun into a yaun (but the fatHatun
remains unscathed) e.g. miSriyyuna becomes ila-lmiSriyyina.

Jihads Secret: Really, all Huroofu-ljarri are false muDaafuns, but it is hard to tell because all of the Huroofu-ljarri are mabneeyun. You dont have to write that
it is muDaafun when you write our grammar. Harfu-ljarri is fine. Just be aware that it is there.

An exception to the Harfu-ljarri majroorun rule is when it precedes another Harfun in such a case, it leaves the Harfun alone.
` , - ` ` ,` ,` - ` ,, , ` _ _ ` , , _

When min precedes a word which begins with a sukoonun (e.g. a hamzu-lwasli), it becomes mina with a fatHatun. (Generally, when two sukoonuns are
battling it out, the vowel becomes a kasratun. min, hum and a few others are the exceptions, thanks to the Arab Guy.)

The preposition li becomes la when attached to an attached pronoun, with the exception of the attached pronoun ee, which drops the fatHatun into a kasratun.

The preposition `ama usually ends with fatHatun, but drops to a kasratun when attached to attached pronoun ee.


Possessive:
(5
th
Relationship)

So the kids at the farm had a sister: bintun. When she grows up, she moves to NYC. Homesick, she visits Central Park, when suddenlyshe is mugged. This is no
ordinary mugger, but a disgruntled inner city school teacher almudarisu. He knocks her out, and surgically removes one of her Dammatun-kidneys
1
and sells it on
the black market. Waking up the next morning, she goes public. She is now famous (ma`arifatun) even though she has no lam(b)un! With this newfound recognition,
she hunts down almudarisu and whacks him, knocking his Dammatuns into kasratuns. Well, he sues. And wins. With no money, the judge awards the teacher
with the girl herself. almudarisi now owns the famous bintu!

(bintu-lmudarsi means the daughter of the teacher)

muDaafun ilayhi majroorun muDaafun
` , ` .` ` ,` ,` - ` _ ` .`
Possessor (as a result, this will always be majroorun) Possessed (lit. added)

-lmudarsi bintu

Note: There is no word for possessive of in Arabic.

Also note: the muDaafun does not necessarily have to end with a Dammatun. That is its default position, but it can be made majroorun or manSoobun, depending
on the grammar of the sentence. The important thing is that is not tanweenun.

Remember: the muDaafun should never have an alif lam prefix if it is trying to be possessed, but the muDaafun ilayhi majroorun can but doesnt need to have it.

Also note: In complex constructions (e.g. the chicken of the father of the girl dajaaju waalidi-lbinti) where the second (and possibly third +) words can be both
muDaafun and muDaafun ilayhi majroorun, that words Dammatun becomes majroorun (e.g. waalidu-lbinti becomes dajaaju waalidi-lbinti), which usually
means it becomes a kasratun while remaining the possessor.


1
For the record, I have researched the issue thoroughly and these urban legends about waking up hung over with one stolen kidney are unfounded. Willing organ
donation can be very positive.
Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

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A good trick: put an of in between each muDaafun / muDaafun ilayhi majroorun. And stop thinking Mahas fathers chicken. Instead think The chicken of the
father of Maha.

Sometimes, Arabs fudge the rule that the muDaafun must be definite. For instance, when trying to say each Friday, Arabs run into a problem. To say each in
Arabic is kullu + (an indefinite singular noun). But Friday (yaumu-ljum`ati) is definite! To deal with this problem, Arabs drop the alif lam from -ljum`atu
(though that doesnt really work, because it changes its literal meaning from the day of the gathering to the day of a gathering. But this enable them to say each
Friday (kullu yaumi jum`ati).

False muDaafun
` , ` ` , ` , - ` ,` , ` .` `
(lit. not in reality)

These are words which act like muDaafuns, but they dont mean possession e.g. the example above, qabla-ssafari (before the traveling, lit. before of the
traveling). All Harfu-ljarri are like this, but since they are mabneeyun, it doesnt show. False muDaafuns can be adverbs, adjectives, etc.

You do not have to know or use this term. Just call it muDaafun and beware that it is there.


Modifiers:
(Relationship #3 Its five parts are listed above)

Sifatun mauSoofun
. ` ` ,` .` ,
Describer / Modifier/ Adjective Described/ Modified Noun

Followers of the clique leader all imitate dress the leaders dress. The modifier (adjective) must match the modified noun in the five ways mentioned above.

The Sifatun is neither part of the mubtadaun nor the khabarun. It is in no mans land.


Apposition (lit. substitute)
, ` , ` ,` `
badalun is a construction in which a noun or noun phrase is placed with another as an explanatory equivalent, both having the same syntactic relation to the other
elements in the sentence. Demonstrative nouns like haadhaa, etc., are good examples of this e.g. haadhaa-lkitabu kabeerun (This book is large) where both
haadha and alkitabu are interchangeable since This is big and The book is big mean the same thing in this context.
Another, more difficult, example is khaalidun ibnu maHmoodin ( khaalidun the son of maHmoodin ) where khaalidun and ibnu maHmoodin are
interchangeable.

The first word, off which the badalun is modeled, is called mubdoolun ilayhi. You do not have to know that.


Detached and Attached Pronouns:

Attached Pronouns (Noun + Attached Pronoun = Possessed Noun)
Attached Pronouns (Harfun + Attached Pronoun) Detached Pronouns (Plain Old Pronouns)
. ` ` ` ,` , . / .` ` ` ,` , . . ` ` ` , . / .` ` ` , .
____________________________________________ _________________________________________

' ` , ` , ` ` -

` , :` , .` ' .` ' :
` , ` ` '
` ,` ` ' ` ` ` ' ` ` , ` , ` ,
Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

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` ` , _ ,` / , ,` ,
` ,` , ` / , ,
` ,` ` ` ` ,` ,` , / ` , , , ` ` ,` , / ` , ,

Note: Words with attached pronouns are actually two words which are, respectively muDaafun and muDaafun ilayhi majroorun. For instance, in kitaabuhu (my
book), the kitaabu is muDaafun and the hu is muDaafun ilayhi majroorun. Remember, when a word has the attached ee, like in kitaabee, the kasratun at the
end of the word is there for phonetic reasons (it dropped from its usual Dammatun), and not necessarily because the word is majroorun.

Similarly, kitaabu is the mauSoofun when the word is followed by a Sifatun, and not hu.

As mentioned earlier, when such a word begins the sentence, only the original word is the mubtadaun. The attached pronoun is neither mubtadaun nor khabarun.

Third Person Attached Pronouns: Be aware that the Arab guy (surprisingly) hates the sound ihu and iyu. He tends to replace those sounds with ihi and iyi. So,
when you're thinking of attaching a pronoun with a hu sound in it to a word that happens to be majroorun e.g. fi kitaabin, dont make it fi kitaabihu, but rather fi
kitaabihi. I have these into the charts above. Notice that ha' i.e. the third person feminine singular is pronounced ihaa when added to a word that is majroorun. Even
if the Arab guy didnt like it, he couldnt change it because she has an alif at the end, which means the letter before it, in this case a ha', needs a fatHatun.

Examples of the Arab guy dodging iyu/iyi are: almaaDee (the past). Really this word should be almaaDiyu, but the Arab guy doesnt like that so he turned the
Dammatun at the end into a sukoonun. Also, fi-lmaaDee (in the past). Really, this word should be fi-lmaaDiyi, but Arab guy didnt like the sound of that so he
turned the kasratun into a sukoonun. When indefinite, the ya is dropped and it becomes maaDin


Hidden Pronoun Whose Value is X
` , . .` ` ` ,` , . ` ` ,`, . ' ,` ' ' _ '

This refers to a sentence whose Subject is included in the verb e.g. adrusu daaiman (I study always), whose hidden value is anaa.

Even if a verb follows an explicit noun, there is Dameerun mustatirun taqdeeruhu X
e.g. aTTaalibu yadrusu (the student studies) has Dameerun mustatirun taqdeeruhu huwa .

But if an explicit noun follows a verb, then it does not have a Hidden Pronoun, even if that noun is a pronoun
e.g. yadrusu aTTaalibu or yadrusu huwa.


Conjuncted (lit. folded back, inclined, romantic) Conjunctions (lit. folder-backer)
` ` , =` ` ' ` ,' ` , . , . = ` ` , - / . = ` ` ,` ,` -
The rule here is that the case ending of a word following a conjugation (and, or, etc.) is the same as the word preceding that conjugation. The case endings fold back.
E.g. In the city and the state will be fi-lmadinati wa-lwalaayati. The wa is a Harfu-l`aTfi and the lwalaayati is ma`Toofun.

Note: wa and fa have other functions besides being conjunctions.

ma`Toofun can apply to one word or a whole jumlaatun. The rule only applies if it is one word, and though it is ma`Toofun, you dont have to write that when
marking the grammar.

Note: In a phrase like Taalibu jihaadi wa hassani (the student of Jihad and Hassan), hassani is not considered muDaafun ilayhi majroorun, but rather
ma`Toofun.


` ` ` -` , . ` ` ` , -
This is the rule that when marfoo`un words are prefaced with a shout out, like yaa (O or hey or yo), they are ma`arifatun, so lose their tanweenun. Dont
worry about it yet.


Three Kinds of Adverbs:


Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

7
I think most adjectives can become adverbs by making them manSoobun and I suppose some nouns too. Jihad says this is often the case, but not to make a rule of it.

The main difference between Harfu-ljarri and adverbs is that one is huroofun, which wont be more than three or four letters, while the others are asmaaun.

(Plain ol) Adverbs (lit. circumstance)
- ` .` ,` .` ` -

There are two kinds of adverbs called Haalun: adverbs that answer the question how? and adverbs that describe adjectives.

Haalun is also the generic name for adverbs, including the two below.

Context of Place Adverbs (lit. envelope of existence)
. ` ` , ~ ` .` ,` .` ' . -

Answers the question where?

Note: These two prepositions are both muDaafun.

Context of Time Adverbs (lit. envelope of time)
. ` , ` ` , ~ ` .` ,` .` ` , , ,` - '
Answers the question when?

Interestingly, while alyoumu means the day, alyouma means today and is an adverb.

THarfu-zzamaani can be a phrase, in which case only the first word is manSoobun e.g. kula yaumin (every day) or hadhihi-ssanata (this year) (hadhihi is
manSoobun, but mabneeyun. But it -ssanata is manSoobun because it is a badalun.)

Clarifier
,` ` ,` , ` .` ,` .`
(lit. distinguisher, like mumtazun [distinguished])

There is no English equivalent to this, but words following kam (how many?) and numbers 11-99 are singular and tamyeezun (and therefore, manSoobun). The
word following the number or the kam clarifies what the number or the kam were referring to.
E.g. kam Taaliban? `ashroona Taaliban! (How many students? Twenty students!)


Gerund/Infinitive and Gerund and Infinitive:

maSdarun and maSdarun muauwalun are always interchangeable unless maSdarun is a sentences mubtadaun. Then it can only be a maSdarun and not a
maSdarun muauwalun. Presumably, this is because mubtadaun must be an ismun and not a fi`ilun.

Gerund (also an Infinitive)
` _ ` . / ` _ .
(kind of lit. chest, origin, source of giving)

This is an ismun.

Use this with preposition li to answer why questions. E.g. why are you taking Arabic? in order to learn, for learning.

maSaadiru that end in ta marbuta are feminine.


Infinitive (also a Gerund)
` , ,` ` _ ` .
(lit. potential or substitute maSdarun)

Harfu-nnaSbi
Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

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.` .` ` ` , - . ' . ' ... `
(lit. stand)

Harfu-nnaSbi is bitter, so he goes around popping verbs balloons.

When you add a Harfu-nnaSbi to a present tense verb, that verb becomes manSoobun (which is pretty weird, because verbs usually arent affected by case endings),
and then they are translated together as the infinitive of that verb
e.g. an (to or that) + adrusu (I study) = an adrusa (to study). Sometimes, depending on context, it is best translated as a gerund.
The grammar would then be an=Harfu-nnaSbi; adrusa=fi`lun manSoobun. Also, as always, the fi`lun begins a jumlatun fi`liyatun.

lian can be translated as in order to (it is not the same as lianna which means because). li in this context has an implied an.

Grammar Check:
uHibbu diraasata-l`arabeeyati (I love the study of Arabic)
This sentence is a jumlatun fi`leeyatun. The fi`lun is uHibbu.
The faa`ilun is a Dameerun mustatirun taqdeeruhu anaa .
The maf`oolun bihi manSoobun is diraasata, which is also muDaafun.
Its muDaafun ilayhi majroorun is -l`arabeeyati.

uHibbu diraasatahu-l`arabeeyata (I love his studying of Arabic)
This sentence is a jumlatun fi`leeyatun. The fi`lun is uHibbu.
The faa`ilun is a Dameerun mustatirun taqdeeruhu anaa .
The maf`oolun bihi manSoobun is diraasata, which is also muDaafun.
Its muDaafun ilayhi majroorun is hu.
Weird: -l`arabeeyata is manSoobun. Jihad says that in some regard diraasata is considered a fi`lun, so that -l`arabeeyata is its maf`oolun bihi manSoobun.
Dont worry. Jihad didnt learn this until, if I remember correctly, his eighth year of Arabic, and we are not expected to know it.

uHibbu an adrusa-l`arabeeyata (I love to study Arabic, I love that I study Arabic)
uHibbu is a jumlatun fi`leeyatun. The fi`lun is uHibbu.
The faa`ilun is a Dameerun mustatirun taqdeeruhu anaa .
adrusa-l`arabeeyata is another jumlatun fi`leeyatun.
He said you can think of an adrusa-l`arabeeyata as being maf`oolun bihi manSoobun in some sort of theoretical sense, though technically it isnt.

uHibbu an yadrusu-l`arabeeyata (I love that he studies Arabic)
The rest is the same as the previous one.

manSoobun Verbs
. = ,
. , ,` ` ,` , ` ,` ` , ` `
. _ ` ,` ` ,` ` ' ` ` ` ` '
`

. .` ' ` .` '

. ' ' ` ` '
. _ , `

Implied Harfu-nnaSbi
, ` .`
(lit. hidden)

This is how we refer to the implied an when just li prefaces the maSdarun muauwalun. You dont have to know this.



2
Dont mess with groups of Arab women.
3
Generally, Harfu-nnaSbi leaves his crow bar-alif as a sign of pride for the damage he inflicted, but he felt a little guilty beating up the single girl, so he didnt
leave it.
Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

9
Inverted Sentence:

mubtadaun muakhkharun khabarun muqaddamun
' ` ` ` ,` - ,` ` ` ` ` , -
(lit. delayed subject) (lit. early predicate)

In jumlatun ismeeyatuns, sometimes the order of the mubtadaun and khabarun are inverted that is, the khabarun precedes the mubtadaun. A common
instance of this is when a jumlatun ismeeyatuns mubtadaun is nakiratun. Arabs prefer to start their jumlatun ismeeyatuns with mubtadauns that are
ma`arifatun, so if you want to say A chicken is in the house (dajajun fi-lbaitu), instead of beginning the sentence with a nakiratun (dajaajun), say In the house
is a chicken (fi-lbaitu dajaajun). This would be an instance of an Inverted Sentence.

The 3 Instances of Inversion:
1) When the mubtadaun is nakiratun.
2) When questioning
3) In idiomatic expression

A tricky example is yumkinunaa-lkharuju (going out is possible (for) us). The case ending at the end of lkharuju tells you that it is not the maf`oolun (if it were,
it would be lkharuji). Rather, it is the faa`ilun, and the attached pronoun naa is the maf`oolun.


Tense:

Past Tense
` / ` . ` _ | . ` ` ,` ,` - ` ` , [
(lit. Past verb)

Present Tense
` _ _ .` ` ` ` _` ,
(lit. Present verb)

Future Tense
` ` | ` . ` ` , - [ ` , . | ` [
(lit. Future)

You just add this prefix to a present tense verb to make it future tense.



What Makes Arabic Semitic:

All Semitic languages work the same way. They all have root words (usually only three letters) which when plugged into different words patterns take on different yet
related meaning.

Root Word
` _ - / ` _` , ` -
(lit. root or stem)

Word Pattern
.` _ , / . _` , '
(lit. form or weight)



Superlative / Comparative:

This is a waznun that makes the jadhrun take on either the equivalent of the English suffix -est e.g. below, the jadhrun kabara (big) becomes akbaru
(biggest), or the equivalent of the English suffix -er than e.g. akbaru min banayati (bigger than a building).

Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

10
` , . ` ` ,` ` , '
This is usually formed with a noun to create a superlative phrase e.g. akbaru Taalibin (biggest student). In such a case, the relationship between the words works as a
false muDaafun relationship.
Can it be followed by an alif lam e.g. akbaru-TTaalibi?

To say the equivalent of the English suffix -er or -er than, follow this superlative waznun with min e.g. akbaru min (bigger than).
And here is where it gets tricky. When used as a superlative, it forms a muDaafun relationship. That is because it precedes the noun it is modifying. But when
following the verb it is modifying, as when it is used as a comparative, it forms a Sifatun/ MauSoofun relationship. And that means it must match the five
characteristics even gender! Indeed, this form changes based on gender. An easy model for this change is in the feminine oolaa (first). Its jadhrunis awala. If
we replace another jadhrun (e.g. Hasana) into its waznun, we will get the feminine superlative Sifatun (e.g. Husnaa)

The superlative is mamnoo`un mina-SSarfi, so it can only end in kasratun when it is ma`arifatun, which can only occur when it is a Sifatun.

Roots of more than three letters dont fit with this waznun.

Two exceptions to this waznun are: aakhiru (last) and auwalu (first).

When a roots two last letters are the same (as in jadada (new) or Hababa (beloved) the waznun changes slightly. Instead of the standard, (i.e. ajdadu or
aHbabu), the sukoon and the fatHa switch so that the letters can shaddaify (i.e. ajaddu or aHabbu).



Adjectival Sentence:

These are whole sentences which describe a noun e.g. muhandasun ya`malu fi-ssu`oodiyati (an engineer who (he) works in Saudi Arabia).

` . ` ` -
The jumlatu-SSifati must have within it either an explicit or implicit pronoun referring back to the noun it is describing (which is mauSoofun).

When the noun being described is indefinite:

When that noun is the subject of the verb in the jumlatu-SSifati, as above, the pronoun will be implicit in the verb.

When that noun is 1) the object of the verb, 2) in a muDaafun relationship, or 3) the object of a preposition, a matching explicit pronoun must fill its slot in the
sentence e.g. lahaa ibnun ismuhu Taariqun (she has a son whose name is Taariq).

When the noun being described is definite: Use the below terms:
(?)
` ,` .` , ` ,` ` ` `, , `
They (f) who/that They (m) who/that She who/it (f) that He who/it (m) that (lit. ?)

These are used even when the noun is the subject of the adjectival sentences verb.



Negating:

Negating Particles
` ` ` ,` ,` - ` ` , ` .
(lit. negative)

Truncating Particles
` ` ,` ,` - ` ` , ` , - ` ` ,` ,` -
(lit. clip)

These particles when placed in front of word change the case ending of that word into a sukoon (thus, truncating the sound).

The Prohibitive laa
Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

11
' . ' , `

When commanding in the negative (e.g. Do not write!), the verb becomes majzoomun. Also, its present tense prefix becomes an alif with a kasra underneath it.
(e.g. yaktubu becomes laa iktab!; taktubeena becomes laa iktabee)

The Commanding lam
[... | ,` . ''

Add either the prefix la or fal to a first or third person verb (which becomes majzoomun) to mean the equivalent of the English let as in Lets go.

Inverting Particles
. ` ` ,` ,` - ` ` ,
(lit. heart)

These only flip back into the past. Flipping into the future are below, Huroofu-listiqbaali.

Futurizing Particles
` . ` ` , - `

A Summary of Negation:
laisa (is/are not/no) negates, in the present tense, a jumlatun ismiyatun which has no fi`lun in it. It only negates in the present tense, because past tense is
already taken care of by maa kaana. It is a sister of kaana and not a Harfu-nnafyi.
maa (not) - negates past tense verb . It must directly precede the verb it is negating. (On rare occasions, it is used for present tense verbs as well (e.g. maa
yazaalu [he is still]). It is a Harfu-nnafyi.
laa (did not) - negates present tense verb. It must directly precede the verb it is negating. It is a Harfu-nnafyi.
lan (will not) - negates future (It is a Harfu-nnafyi. Also, it is a Harfu-nnaSbi [so it makes the verb it precedes manSoobun] and it is a Harfu-listiqbaali
[so it precedes a present tense verb even though it is negating the future]).
lam (did not) - negates past (It is a Harfu-nnafyi. Also, it is a Harfu-ljazmi [so it makes the verb it precedes end with a sukoon] and it is a Harfu-lqalbi
[so it precedes a present tense verb even though it is negating the past]).
lammaa (not yet) - negates past (It is a Harfu-nnafyi. Also, it is a Harfu-ljazmi [so it makes the verb it precedes end with a sukoon] and it is a Harfu-
lqalbi [so it precedes a present tense verb even though it is negating the past]).



The Sorority Girls:

There are two girls who lack self-esteem: inna and kaana. They both decide to join a sorority, hoping to feel loved. As with every sorority, you have to be accepted
by the sisters.

kaanas sorority requires every sister to latch on to any jumlatun ismiyatun. But unlike the other (loser) sororities, they make the khabarun become manSoobun,
becoming what is called khabaru kaana manSoobun, while the mubtadaun, which stays the same in terms of case-endings, but loses its status mubtadaun, is
referred to now as ismu kaana marked permanently by the sisters.

innas sorority requires every sister to latch on to any jumlatun ismiyatun. But unlike the other (loser) sororities, they make the mubtadaun become manSoobun,
losing its status of mubtadaun and becoming what is called ismu inna manSoobun, while the khabarun, which stays the same in terms of case-endings and in terms
of being khabarun, is referred to now as khabaru inna marked permanently by the sisters.

Oh, and they live happily ever after.

Thats not all, folks. These girls have stalkers which cling to them: attached pronouns. hiya Taalibatun becomes kaanat Taalibatan, etc. See below in the table
marked kaana how the attached pronouns cling to the sisters. Since these girls only precede jumlaatun ismeeyatun, if you want to place a jumlatun fi`leeyatun
behind one of them, you should attach an attached pronoun to that girl, and then that jumlatun fi`leeyatun turns into a jumlatun ismeeyatun.

The grammar for something like kaanat Taalibatan is that kaanat is firstly a fi`lun. It is also min akhwaati kaana (and you have to write that, even though it is
obvious). The ismu kaana (and not an ismu kaanat) is Dameerun mustateerun taqdeeruhu huwa . Taalibatan is khabaru kaana manSoobun.

Note: Both sororities only deal with jumlaatun ismiyatun.

Note: The terms are interchangeable i.e. khabaru inna is only used if inna is used in the sentence. If it is laakinna, then the terms will be ismu laakinna and
khabaru laakinna, etc. This works across the board for both kaana wa ukhawaatuha and inna wa ukhawaatuha.

Note: Basically, in a khabaru kaana, only the first word becomes manSoobun. Just be sure that it is actually part of the khabarun.
Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

12
E.g. In kanna fi new york (He was in New York) fi new york is the khabarun, and since fi is mabneeyun, even though it is manSoobun, it doesnt show.
However, in kanna fi-lHaqeeqati Taaliban fi new york (He was, in reality, a student in New York), fi-lHaqeeqati is not part of the khabarun, so the first word of
the khabarun is Taalibun which becomes the manSoobun Taaliban.

Note: The khabaru kaana can be a verb, but then it wont be manSoobun. Among af`aalu, it is called professional courtesy.

Lacking Verbs
,` , - ' , . . ` , _ _ _ ` . ' | ` ,, . [ ' ,
(lit. kaana and her sisters)

These are called Lacking Verbs because they dont really have a faa`ilun or a maf`oolun bihi manSoobun, but they basically act that way by leaving the faa`ilun
alone and making the khabarun become manSoobun.

This is not a comprehensive list. There are many more. The way to determine whether it is a sister is if you can put another verb directly after it.

. ` , - ` .` ,` .` . ` ,`
inna and her sisters
' , . ,` , - . . ' .` , ` . ' . '
Unlike kaana inc., there are only seven of these the ones listed above.

These gals are all mabneeyun when part of the sorority. (Apparently, laakinna can change its ending, but then it isn't acting as an innaette, though it still means
but/however. Use it when you dont want a jumlatan ismiyatun to follow.)

The default position for any of inna and the girls without an ismu inna is to give it the attached pronoun hu e.g. innahu, lakinnahu, etc.

. ` , - . ` ,` ` .` ,` .`

` _ -

` =, = -

` g, -
` , ` .`

, ,`

' ` `
` _,` ,` - ` ,`

-

` , -

. ` , ` ` , ~

` _ _ .` `

. ` ` , ~



. ` , -

` ,` .

. ` ,`

` , - .

, = v - |
` _ - _ - ` . -

` _ - _ - ` . -

Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

13
.,` ` _ ` . ` _ ` ` ` _ ` ` g, - .,` ` _` , . ` _` , ` ` _` , ` g, -
` _ ` ` , ` _ ` ` _ ` ` =, = - ,` ` _` , ` _` , ` _` , ` =, = -
` _ ` ` , ` _ ` ` _ ` ` _ - ,` ` _` , ` _` , ` ` _` , ` ; -
6 5 4 3 2 1

., ' , ` ,` ,` - . -` , ` .,` .` . ` . , ` _, ` , ` _ _ .` `
1
` _, ` , ` _ _ .` ` .,' - , ` ,` ,` - . .,' - , ` .,` .` . .,' .,` ,
2
.,' - , ` ,` ,` - . .,' - , ` .,` .` . .,' .,` , ` _, ` , ` _ _ .` `
3

, ` _,` ,` - . ` , -` , ` .,` .` . ` , ` . , ` _, ` , ` , ,`
4
. , , ` _,` ,` - . . , , ` .,` .` . . ., ` _, ` ,
5
. , , ` _,` ,` - . . , , ` .,` .` . , , , ` _, ` ,
6


kaana Conjugated:

A helpful way to remember when the word begins with kun as opposed to kaan is to see if the noon will have a sukoon over it. If it will, then it wont sit well
with the alif which also has a sukoon. In such a case, the alif will lose out and be replaced with a Dammatun.

This accounts for the dropping of weak letters in first and last position. When first letter, it also drops in present tense.

.
.` .` ' . ,` ` .` '
.` .` ' ` . _ ` ` ` -
` ,` ` ` ,` ` ' `,` ` ,`
` ` ` ` ` ` ' ` ` `
` ` ` ` ' `
`

Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

14

laysa Conjugated:

, |
` .` ' .` .` ' ` , ,`
` ` - .` .` ' ` . ` , _ `
` ,` ` ` ,` ` ' `,` ` , ` ,`
` ` ` ` ` ` ' ` ` `
` ` ` ` ' ` , `
` , `


Past Tense Conjugations (with weak letter alif):

. _ |
` .` _ ' ' .` _ ' .` ' _ ' ,`
.` _ ' .` ' `. _ ' _ ` _ ' ` ` -
` ,` ` _ ' ` ,` ` ' ` ,` _ ' ` ,`
` ` ` _ ' ` ` ` ' .` _ ' ` `
_ ' ` ` ' _ ' ` ` `
_ ' `

Present Tense Conjugations (with weak letter ya):

= , ,
` `, _ ' ' ` `, ,` .` ' ` `, ,`, ,`
` `, ,` _ ` `, ,` ` ` - `, `, ,` .` '
.` ,` `, ,` ` ,` ` ' .` ,` `, ,`, ` ,`
Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

15
.` ,` ` ` ` ' .` ,`, ` `
` . `, ,` ` ` ' . `, ,`,
. `, ,` `


Past Tense Conjugations:

. .
` .` ' .` .` ' . ,`
_ ` ` ` - .` .` ' ` .
` ,` ` ` ,` ` ' ` ,` ` ,`
` ` ` ' ` ` ` ` ` `
` ` ` ` ' `
`


Present Tense Conjugations:

. = ,
' ' ` . .` ' ` . , ,` ` .
` . ` ` - ` , .` ' ` . _
.` ,` ` ,` ` ' .` ,` , ` ,`
` , ` ` ` ` ` ` '
. ` ` ' . , `
. `



Ten Verb Forms:
Really There Are Fifteen

Noun which has Verb done to it Doer of the Verb Gerund Present Past

Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

16
` g _= - - , , - - , = - , = ` _ = = -

Plain
` ,`

`
1
, I

Intensive/ Causative
` ` ` ` ` , `
6
` `, ` II

Mutual
` ` / ` `, III


Causative
` ` `,

' IV

Reflexive of II
` ` ` ` ' ` ` , ` V

Feigning/ Reflexive of III
` ` ` ` , VI

Passive of I
` ` ` ` ` . ` , ` VII

Reflexive/ Passive of I
` ` . , VIII

Color/ Sickness

4
Apparently, there is no logic to what this middle Harakatun will be. You have to memorize it.
5
There are about twelve possible gerund forms for Verb Form I. The rest basically are more predictable, though beware of weak letters.
6
These three are the only present tense verbs that start with a Damma.
7
Only Verb Form IVs past tense begins with a hamzatu-lqaTa`i. The rest that begin with a hamzatun(Verb Forms VII, VIII, IX, and X) begin with a hamzatu-
lwaSli.
Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

17
` ` . ,
8
IX

Seeking/ Perceiving
` ` ` ` ` . ` , ` X


Quantifiers:
- ' . , ,... ` , ... ` , - ~ , _ , ` , ... ... ,` , ... ` , =` ` ... - , _~ ,
All Most of Much of A Number of Some of Several Few of No one/ None

, - , , ,
Every, Each

The following does not exist. If you wrote it, its wrong: , - , _~ ,


Aarons Easy Way to Remember Pronouns (in the 2
nd
Person, 3
rd
Person, and Dual Forms):
1) All 2
nd
Person Pronouns Begin with ant anta, anti, antum, antunna, antumaa.
2) All 3
rd
Person Pronouns Begin with letter ha huwa, hiya (Note: This word is often spelled without the two dots under the yaun. It is still a yaun and
should be pronounced like one.), hum, hunna, humaa.
3) All 2
nd
and 3
rd
Person Pronouns: Masculine ends in um; Feminine ends in unna(has shaddatan, ends without alifun), and dual ends in umaa (ends in
alifun).

and their respective Present Tense Verbs:
1) All 2
nd
Person Present Verbs begin with ta e.g. tadhhabu, tadhhabeena, tadhhabuna, tadhhabna, tadhhabaani, tadhhabaani
2) All 3
rd
Person Present Verbs (with the exception of Feminine Singular and Dual) begin with yaun e.g. yadhhabu, [not tadhhabu], yadhhabuna,
yadhhabna, yadhhabaani, [not tadhhabaani].



Numbers:
Even Arabs Dont Know This

` ` ,` ` ` / ` ` '
Useless terminology
(It just tells us that something is a number and something is counted, but it doesnt tell us whether it is muDaafun mauSoofun, etc.

When Counting:

1 & 2: These two are considered Sifatun when counting, so they follow the word, and have the same Five Things as the noun they describe. These are used only for
effect, because the singular and dual forms of the verb willy-nilly reveal its quantity.

E.g. 1 kitaabun waaHidun (one book) / Taalibatun waHidatun (one student (f))
2 kitaabaani-thnaani (two books) / Taalibataani-thnaani (two students (f))

3 10: These numbers are considered muDaafun when counting, so they precede the word and make it muDaafun ilayhi majroorun. When using these numbers,
the nouns they are counting should be in plural form. Just for fun, they are always the opposite gender of the noun they are counting. Remember to assess the gender of
a word based on what it looks like when singular!
E.g. 3 thalathatu kutubin (three books) [kutubun is plural of kitaabun, which is male. Therefore, thalathatu is female.]

8
Verb Form IX doubles the last letter with a shaddatun, and sometimes this letter comes out in voweling, as in its maSdarun: if`ilalun.
Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

18
8 thamaniyatu makaatiba [makaatibu is plural of maktabun, which is male. Therefore, thamaniyatu is female. Note that because
makaatibu is a Broken Plural of four or more syllables, it is mamnoo`un mina-SSarfi, so only takes a fatHatun even though it is muDaafun
ilayhi majroorun.

11-99: The counted nouns following these numbers should be written in their singular form, and manSoobun. MORE ON THIS LATER.

100+: The counted nouns following these numbers should be written in their singular form, and since these numbers are considered muDaafun, they should be
muDaafun ilayhi majroorun.

Also, nouns following the word kam (how many) should be in their singular forms.

When telling the time:

Use ordinals. Even if assaa`atu is not written, it is implied, so the ordinal is muDaafun.



Miscellaneous:

haadhaa/haadhihi are by definition ma`rifatun.

Notice that the alifs and dagger alifs in words such as anaa, maa, and haadhaa are pronounced as long vowels.

nisbatun turns singular noun into adjective by adding suffix iyun or iyyatun. Human masculine plural becomes iyyuna (with the notable exception `arabun).
Human feminine plural: iyaatun. In Arabic, even adjectives have plural forms when describing a plural word e.g. asmaaun `arabeeun.

Rule: Broken Plurals with four or more syllables (including pronunciation of the case endings) end in only one Dammayun regardless of gender.

The Five Relationships Which Comprise 80% of Arabic Grammar:
1) Nominal Sentences - The Gossipy Neighbor: mubtadaun/ khabarun
2) Preposition - The Violent Gang Member: Harfu-ljarri/ majroorun
3) Modified Noun / Adjective - The High School Clique: mouSoofun/ Sifatun
4) Verbal Sentences - The Needle-Prick Prankster: fi`lun, faa`ilun, and maf`oolun bihi manSoobun
5) Possessive The Famous, Black Belt, Unwilling Kidney Donor*/ Litigious, Slave-owning, Teacher: muDaafun/ muDaafun ilayhi majroorun

How does hamzatun on alifun, yaun, and wawun work? Is there a way of knowing which one is which? Jihad said he would get us someones notes on this big
subject, and that there is a system and that it does make sense.

ahlaan wa sahlaan literally means family andeasy. It is a shortened version of something that makes sense.

The Eight Hard/Heavy Letters are: _ _ _

Any singular noun plus an aani means two of those things. Make sure to add aani to the singular form of the noun, and not to the plural.

All Broken Plurals with four or more syllables are mamnoo`un mina-SSarfi, but when they are made ma`arifatun they lose that status, so can become majroorun,
etc., as the case may be.

Quotes do not protect words from grammar titles, proper names (excluding some female names), etc. are all subject to grammar.

When Jihad asks for case endings, I think he is referring to: hamzatu-lqaTa`is, shaddatuns, attached pronouns and their words (kitaabuhu), short vowels
preceding long vowels (kasratun followed by yaun), and alif laams.

Arab guy doesnt like sound of ihu or iyu so he makes them ihi or iyi e.g. fi kitaabihum becomes fi kitaabihim.

When ayyu (which, which is also muDaafun) begins sentence, it might well be maf`oolun bihi manSoobun, as in ayya faSlin tuHibbu (as in which season do
you love?)

Arab guy says that all Human Sound Female Plurals (Perfect Plurals) i.e. those ending in aatun, do not take fatHatun when maf`oolun bihi manSoobun, but instead
take kasratun. But since it is still manSoobun, if it has a Sifatun, it should end with fatHatun.

Any non-intelligent plurals adjectives will be fem. sing.

hal is usually written when writing a question instead of relying on intonation.

When using verbs, prounouns are superfluous and should not be used.

Arabs tend not to ask negative questions.

bisababi is only followed by one word or phrase (just not a jumlatun) because it is a false muDaafun, lianna is only be followed by a jumlatan ismiyatun
because those are the sorority riles, and li tends to be followed by a maSdarun.
Jihads Arabic Grammar Notes

19

fatHataani (popped balloons) will sink to the floor. Therefore, they must be held up by an alif, alif followed by a hamza, or a ta marbuta. That is why we must
often, when writing, add these letters to keep the fatHatuns up.

You will never have a sentence where both the mubtadaun and khabarun are nakiratun.

Dual words ending in aani become aini when majroorun or manSoobun. Similarly, word ending in oona become eena when majroorun or manSoobun.
Figure it our from context.

Days are usually manSoobun because they are usually used as adverbs (answering the question when?), so they are usually only marfoo`un when the subject of a
sentence (Friday is a good day).

The difference between prefix li and `inda is that the former is used for intelligent things e.g. lee waalidun (I have a father, lit. For me is a father), and the
latter is used for non-intelligent things e.g. `indee baitun (I have a house, lit. With me is a house).

Why is allaahu pronounced with a hard aa sound lam isnt a hard letter! And why does it change to soft aa sound when majroorun, etc., as in lillaahi?

Words which are male but which refer to women e.g. Haramun (wife) take feminine Sifatuns e.g. Haramun jameelatun.

Body parts that come in pairs only are feminine when singular. Again, they dont necessarily end in ta marbuta, but they will take feminine Sifatuns, etc.

Do you write the hamzatulwaSli underneath the alif ever? No

You can refer to day as, e.g. yauma khameesi or shortened khameesa. Just make that the first word of your THarfu-lzamaani is manSoobun.

Haythu (where) is a Haalun, but it is mabneeyun.
The Three Weak Letters: , (Note: that hamzatun isnt really included.)
Though we change the sound of long vowels which follow hard letters, Arabs actually change the sound of the long vowels which precede the hard letters.

When translating, do not feel required to stick to the chronology of the words.

The rule that sukoons cant meet is very important in Arabic. Here are the rules Four Exceptions:
1) One never pronounces the case ending at the end of a sentence even if two sukoons will meet.
2) A long alif (which always has a sukoon over it) followed by a letter with a shaddatun on it (which has an implied letter with a sukoon on it followed
by that same letter vowelized). The alif and the implied letter both have sukoons. This usually occurs in nouns, where dropping a weak letter can alter the
meaning of the word. But in weak lettered verbs, we prefer to just drop the weak letter.
3) Words ending in oona when muDaafun drop the na. If the following word has an alif lam, the wa with a sukoon will be pronounced immediately
before the lam with a sukoon.
4) ?

When guessing a jadhruns weak letter, ya is slightly more common than wa, which are both far more ubiquitous than hamzatun.

Think of the word hunaaka as is/are here i.e. as a khabarun.

Perfect Feminine Plurals (i.e. those ending in aat) do not take fatHatun as a case ending, so when manSoobun, give it a kasratun.

Does anyone know when we use ba`da an or qabla an?