Grammatical Themes Lesson 8 Flashcards
(10 cards)
Unit 28 Verbal Noun
What is a Verbal Noun (المصدر) in Arabic grammar, and why is it important?
A Verbal Noun (المصدر) is derived from a verb (usually from the root III M1).
Some grammarians consider the Verbal Noun itself as the root for further derivation.
It is one of the 5 key themes in learning Arabic and crucial for understanding the language.
Verbal Nouns often appear alongside the root verb (III M1) in dictionaries, sometimes with multiple patterns.
Though there are many patterns and exceptions, context and sentence structure make them easy to recognize, especially with extensive reading.
Rule No. 46
What is Rule No. 46 about the verbal noun (المصدر) in Arabic?
Every verb expresses an action.
The verbal noun (المصدر) names the action itself, called اسم الفعل (Ism al-Fi‘l).
The verbal noun does NOT specify when the action happens — past, present, or future.
It simply refers to the concept of the action without time.
Example from page 210
What is a verbal noun (المصدر) in Arabic, and how are they formed from roots like فَعَلَ?
A verbal noun (المصدر) names the action of a verb, like فعْلٌ from فَعَلَ (“to do”).
There are 40+ patterns to form verbal nouns from the first form verbs.
Some patterns add letters, but the total never exceeds 6 letters.
The most common patterns are taught, but some roots have exceptions.
Similar to English nouns like “running” or “action,” verbal nouns show the action without a time reference.
Example a
How do many transitive verbs (مُتَعَدٍّ) in Arabic form their verbal nouns (المصدر) on the فَعَلَ scale?
Many transitive verbs on the pattern فَعَلَ form their verbal nouns with the pattern فَعْلٌ.
Examples:
نَصَرَ (to help) → نَصْرٌ (help)
فَتَحَ (to conquer) → فَتْحٌ (conquest)
Similar to English, where verbs can turn into nouns that name the action or result (like “help” or “run”).
b
How do many intransitive verbs (لازِم) on the فَعَلَ pattern form verbal nouns in Arabic?
They often follow the verbal noun pattern فُعُوْلٌ.
These verbs don’t take an object (intransitive).
Examples:
جَلَسَ (to sit) → جُلُوْسٌ (sitting)
خَرَجَ (to come out) → خُرُوْجٌ (exit)
سَجَدَ (to prostrate) → سُجُوْدٌ (prostration)
Similar to English words like “sitting” or “exit” that name an action without referring to when it happens.
(C) Many intransitive verbs on the scale of فَعِلَ give a فَعَلٌ
How do many intransitive verbs (لازِم) on the فَعِلَ pattern form verbal nouns in Arabic?
They often use the verbal noun pattern فَعَلٌ.
These verbs have a kasrah (ِ) on the middle root letter.
Examples:
فَرِحَ (to become glad) → فَرَحٌ (joy)
مَرِضَ (to become sick) → مَرَضٌ (sickness)
Similar to English: “to rejoice” → “joy”, or “to become ill” → “sickness”
(d) Many
How do intransitive verbs (لازِم) on the فَعُلَ pattern form verbal nouns in Arabic?
They often use the verbal noun pattern فُعُولَةٌ.
These verbs have a ḍammah (ُ) on the middle root letter.
Examples:
صَعُبَ (to be hard) → صُعُوبَةٌ (hardship)
سَهُلَ (to be easy) → سُهُولَةٌ (ease)
Similar to English nouns like “difficulty” and “ease” that describe a condition or quality.
Just like in English:
“to be difficult” → “difficulty”
“to be easy” → “ease”
The Arabic verbal noun names the state or quality — not the time or tense of the action.
📘 Brainscape Flashcard:
Flashcard Front:
How do intransitive verbs (لازِم) on the فَعُلَ pattern form verbal nouns in Arabic?
Flashcard Back:
They often use the verbal noun pattern فُعُولَةٌ.
These verbs have a ḍammah (ُ) on the middle root letter.
Examples:
صَعُبَ (to be hard) → صُعُوبَةٌ (hardship)
سَهُلَ (to be easy) → سُهُولَةٌ (ease)
Similar to English nouns like “difficulty” and “ease” that describe a condition or quality.
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Note: Some of these have alternate or more common maṣdar forms like كَرَامَةٌ for كَرُمَ, which is more widely used than كُرُومَةٌ. Arabic is flexible, and context often determines which form is preferred.
كَرُمَ (karuma)
كُرُومَةٌ or كَرَامَةٌ
What is the فَعَالَةٌ pattern used for in Arabic verbal nouns (مصادر)?
فَعَالَةٌ is a common pattern for naming qualities or states.
It’s often used with intransitive verbs (لازِم) that describe conditions.
Examples:
نَظُفَ (to be clean) → نَظَافَةٌ (cleanliness)
فَصُحَ (to be eloquent) → فَصَاحَةٌ (eloquence)
Just like in English: “to be clean” → “cleanliness”, “to be eloquent” → “eloquence”
🧠 English Grammar Connection:
This is just like in English where:
“to be clean” → “cleanliness”
“to be eloquent” → “eloquence”
The action or quality becomes a noun that names the state.
(F)
What does the verbal noun pattern فُعَالٌ usually describe in Arabic?
It often refers to ailments or natural sounds.
Examples:
سُعَالٌ = cough
بُكَاءٌ = cry
Like English nouns “cough” or “crying” that describe natural actions.
🧠 English equivalent: Think of nouns like “cough” or “crying” — both are natural bodily actions.
(F)
What does the verbal noun pattern فِعَالٌ indicate in Arabic?
It shows stubbornness, resistance, or strong emotions.
Examples:
إِبَاءٌ = dislike, pride
نِفَارٌ = aversion
Like English words “pride” or “aversion” — strong internal feelings.
🧠 English equivalent: Like “pride” or “aversion” — emotions that push back or resist.
