Arabic Verb Forms 1-10
Arabic verbs are classified into 10 different forms, each with a specific meaning and grammatical structure. Understanding these forms is crucial for mastering Arabic grammar and achieving fluency in the language. Here's a breakdown of each form:
Form 1 (الْفِعْلُ الْمُضَارِعُ): Present Tense
- Structure: The base form of the verb, also known as the "present tense" form.
- Examples:
- كتبَ (kataba) - He wrote
- أكلَ (akala) - He ate
- شربَ (shariba) - He drank
Form 2 (الْفِعْلُ الْمُضَاعَفُ): Doubled Verb
- Structure: The second radical letter of the verb is doubled.
- Meaning: Intensifies the action of the verb.
- Examples:
- كَرَّرَ (karara) - He repeated
- زَوَّجَ (zawwaja) - He married (someone off)
- نَقَّلَ (naqqala) - He transferred
Form 3 (الْفِعْلُ الْمُزَاعُ): Causative Verb
- Structure: The third radical letter of the verb is doubled.
- Meaning: Indicates that the subject is causing someone or something else to do the action.
- Examples:
- أَسْكَتَ (as-kata) - He silenced
- أَطْعَمَ (at-‘ama) - He fed
- أَشْرَبَ (ash-riba) - He made (someone) drink
Form 4 (الْفِعْلُ الْمُفَعَّلُ): Passive Verb
- Structure: The prefix "أَ" is added to the verb and the third radical letter is doubled.
- Meaning: Indicates that the subject is being acted upon.
- Examples:
- أُكْتِبَ (uktiba) - He was written
- أُكْلَ (ukila) - He was eaten
- أُشْرِبَ (ushriba) - He was drunk
Form 5 (الْفِعْلُ الْمُتَعَدِّي): Transitive Verb
- Structure: The prefix "تَ" is added to the verb.
- Meaning: Indicates that the action of the verb is directed towards an object.
- Examples:
- تَكَلَّمَ (takallama) - He spoke
- تَأَكَّلَ (ta-akkala) - He ate (food)
- تَشَرَّبَ (ta-sharraba) - He drank (beverage)
Form 6 (الْفِعْلُ الْمُتَفَعَّلُ): Reflexive Verb
- Structure: The prefix "تَ" is added to the verb and the third radical letter is doubled.
- Meaning: Indicates that the action of the verb is reflected back upon the subject.
- Examples:
- تَكَلَّمَ (takallama) - He spoke to himself
- تَأَكَّلَ (ta-akkala) - He ate himself (figuratively, consumed by anxiety)
- تَشَرَّبَ (ta-sharraba) - He absorbed knowledge
Form 7 (الْفِعْلُ الْمُتَفَعَّلُ): Passive Verb (with additional meaning)
- Structure: The prefix "انْ" is added to the verb.
- Meaning: Indicates that the subject is experiencing the action passively.
- Examples:
- انْكَسَرَ (inkasara) - He broke (something)
- انْقَطَعَ (inqata’a) - He was cut off
- انْسَحَبَ (insahaba) - He withdrew
Form 8 (الْفِعْلُ الْمُتَفَعَّلُ): Reciprocal Verb
- Structure: The prefix "تَ" is added to the verb and the second radical letter is doubled.
- Meaning: Indicates that two or more subjects are acting upon each other.
- Examples:
- تَكَاتَمَ (takatama) - They hid from each other
- تَنازَعَ (tanazea) - They argued with each other
- تَشَاجَرَ (tashajarah) - They fought with each other
Form 9 (الْفِعْلُ الْمُتَفَعَّلُ): Passive Verb (with additional meaning)
- Structure: The prefix "اسْتَ" is added to the verb.
- Meaning: Indicates that the subject is using or benefiting from the action of the verb.
- Examples:
- اسْتَقَلَّ (istaqalla) - He became independent
- اسْتَغْفَرَ (istaghfara) - He asked for forgiveness
- اسْتَحْسَنَ (istaḥsana) - He found something pleasing
Form 10 (الْفِعْلُ الْمُتَفَعَّلُ): Causative Passive Verb
- Structure: The prefix "أَ" and "تَ" are added to the verb.
- Meaning: Indicates that the subject is causing someone else to experience the action passively.
- Examples:
- أَتْعَبَ (at-‘aba) - He tired (someone)
- أَسْكَتَ (as-kata) - He silenced (someone)
- أَشْرَبَ (ash-riba) - He made (someone) drink
Understanding these verb forms is a fundamental step towards mastering Arabic grammar. With practice and patience, you will be able to identify and utilize these forms confidently in your Arabic speaking and writing.
