5.7: Grammar (2) Verbs Patterns
In this section, you will be able to:
- Identify the verb stem (root) and their patterns.
Verb Stems and Their Patterns
- In Arabic grammar, the verb stem, also known as the "root," is the basic form of a verb consisting of three consonants. These consonants convey the core meaning of the verb. Arabic verbs can be categorized into different forms or patterns based on the arrangement of vowels and additional consonants around the root.
- As a symbol to represent the three root letters of any word, Arabic grammar uses the roots of the prototypical verb فعل “to do.
- The verb stems are categorized into ten main forms, often referred to as "verb forms" or "patterns." Each form has a specific arrangement of vowels and affixes that are added to the root consonants. Here's a brief overview of the ten verb forms in Arabic.
Verbs Patterns in Present Tense
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Form I (ُيفعلُ):
- Basic three-consonant root.
- e.g., يكتبُ (kataba) - to write.
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Form II (يفعّلُ):
- Adds a shadda شدّة ( ّ ) between the second and third root consonants.
- e.g., يُدرَّسُ to teach.
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Form III (يفاعلُ):
- Adds an extra long vowel "ا" (alif mad) between the first and second root consonants.
- e.g., يمارس - to perform.
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Form IV (يُفْعَلُ):
- Adds extra consonant Alif with hamza "أ" to the first form. However, you do not see the Alif hamza (أ) in the present form, and you add الضمة to the Yaa of the prefix.
- e.g., يُخرجُ to evict.
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Form V (يتفعّلُ):
- Adds the prefix "ت" (taa) before the Form II pattern.
- e.g., يتذكَّرُ- to remember.
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Form VI (يتفاعلُ):
- Adds the prefix "ت" (taa) before the Form III pattern.
- e.g., تعامل (ta'amal) - to deal with each other.
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Form VII (ينفعلُ):
- Adds the prefix "انْـ (in) before the Form I pattern.
- e.g., ينكسرُ- to be broke.
- Form VIII (يفْتَعِلُ):
- Adds the prefix "ا" (ifta) to the Form I pattern and places sukun over the first radical. Then, add the letter تاء after the first radical.
- e.g., يستمعُ.
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Form IX (يفعَّلُ):
- Built on form 1 by placing a sukuun over its first radical, and adding a shadda to the last radical. Relates to colors
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Form X (يستفعلُ):
- Built on form 1 by adding the prefix سْتـ to the form 1 verb and inserting a ت between the first and second radicals; a sukuun must be placed over the first radical
Ending these verb forms is crucial for conjugating verbs in various tenses and moods in Arabic. Each form has its own set of rules for conjugation and usage.