Verbs in Arabic

First, as we’ve seen before in Arabic, verbs are built from roots which are sets of consonants (usually 3, sometimes 4) that carry a core meaning.

Example: k-t-b = “to write”, d-r-s = “to study”.

Roots in Arabic

Around each root, many verb forms and derivatives are created: verbal nouns, active participles, and passive participles. Roots can contain weak letters (و / ي) or hamza (ء), which cause phonological changes.

Roots in Arabic fall into two big categories:

• Sound roots which means they have no weak letters (و / ي) or hamza (ء)
• Weak roots which contain و / ي or hamza (ء)

There are also other subcategories for roots in Arabic:

• Regular (sound) 3 letter roots → no weak letters or hamza. Example: س-م-ع (hear), ك-ش-ف (reveal)
• Geminate roots → the 2nd and 3rd consonants are the same. Example: ر-د-د (reply), ح-ل-ل (solve).
• Hamzated roots → one consonant is hamza. Example: أ-ك-ل (eat), س-أ-ل (ask).
• Assimilated roots → start with و or ي. Example: و-ص-ل (arrive), ي-ب-س (be dry).
• Hollow roots → middle consonant is و or ي. Example: ق-و-ل (say), ب-ي-ع (sell).
• Defective roots → final consonant is و or ي. Example: ن-س-ي (forget), ب-ن-ي (build).
• Mixed/doubly weak → more than one weak letter/hamza. Example: ج-ي-ء (come), ر-أ-ي (see).
• 4 letter roots → 4 consonants, sometimes reduplicated. Example: ت-ر-ج-م (translate), د-ح-ر-ج (roll).
• Denominal roots → verbs derived from nouns. Example: وَحَّد (to unite, from واحد “one”), عَيَّن (to fix).

Now that we’ve seen the root, let’s go over the verb derivation patterns, or forms.

Arabic verb forms

Arabic uses templates (forms I–X) to derive different meanings from the same root. Each root can “fit” into multiple forms, giving related meanings.

Example: root ع-ل-م (knowledge):

Form I: عَلِمَ (‘alima) = to know

Form II: عَلَّمَ (‘allama) = to teach

Form IV: أَعْلَمَ (a’alama) = to inform

Form V: تَعَلَّمَ (ta’allama) = to learn

4 letter roots have their own restricted set of forms.

Roots are symbolised as ف-ع-ل (f-‘a-l), where each letter represents a consonant slot. Patterns are described by inserting roots into templates. Usually verbs are cited in 3rd person masculine singular past tense (e.g., كَتَبَ “he wrote”).

Despite complexity, Arabic word formation follows rule-governed phonological and morphological processes.