Unit 01

The Arabic language: A brief definition ‫ تعريف وجيز‬:‫اللغة العربية‬

Arabic is a Semitic language spoken by millions across the Arab world and
beyond. It has various dialects but Modern Standard Arabic serves as the
written and formal language. It is written from right to left and has a rich
literary and historical tradition. Arabic is the language of the Quran, making
it significant in the Islamic world. It employs a root-based system, where
words share common roots with variations in prefixes and suffixes. Arabic
script has 28 letters and is known for its calligraphic beauty.Arabic is
categorized into Classical Arabic, used in religious and literary texts, and
Modern Standard Arabic, the formal language in media, education, and
official communications. Dialects vary across regions, reflecting cultural
diversity. Arabic contributed significantly to fields like mathematics, science,
and philosophy during the Islamic Golden Age. The language has a complex
grammar system with three grammatical cases, gender, and verb
conjugations. It plays a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage, fostering
identity, and facilitating communication in the Arab world.
:‫(حروف الهجاء ) األشكال واألصوات‬

"Huruf al-Hijaa" refers to the Arabic alphabet, encompassing both shapes

and sounds. The Arabic script consists of 28 letters, written from right to left.
Each letter has an isolated form, a form at the beginning of a word, a form in
the middle of a word, and a form at the end of a word.

The sounds in Arabic are classified into three categories:

1. **Consonants:** There are 28 consonant letters. Some letters have two

forms, one hard (with a "shadda") and one soft.
2. **Long Vowels:** Represented by three letters (alif, waw, and ya), these
serve as both consonants and long vowels.

3. **Short Vowels:** Indicated by diacritic marks (fatha, damma, kasra), these

are used to express short vowel sounds.

Arabic's script and phonetic system contribute to the unique and intricate
nature of the language.

Certainly, let's delve deeper into the shapes and sounds of the Arabic
alphabet:

Shapes (‫)أشكال‬:
1. **Isolated Form (‫)الشكل المستقل‬:** The letter's shape when it appears in a
word by itself.
- Example: ‫( أ‬Aleph) in "‫( "أحمد‬Ahmad).

2. **Initial Form (‫)الشكل االبتدائي‬:** The shape of the letter when it appears at
the beginning of a word.
- Example: ‫( ب‬Ba) in "‫( "بيت‬Bayt).

3. **Medial Form (‫)الشكل الوسطي‬:** The shape of the letter when it appears in
the middle of a word.
- Example: ‫( ت‬Ta) in "‫( "كتاب‬Kitāb).

4. **Final Form (‫)الشكل النهائي‬:** The shape of the letter when it appears at the
end of a word.
- Example: ‫( م‬Mīm) in "‫( "كتابم‬Kitābm).

Sounds (‫)األصوات‬:
1. **Consonants (‫)الحروف الساكنة‬:**
- Each consonant has a distinct sound.
- Example: ‫( ج‬Jim) in "‫( "جميل‬jameel - beautiful).
2. **Long Vowels (‫)الحروف الطويلة‬:**
- Represented by the letters Alif (‫)أ‬, Waw (‫)و‬, and Ya (‫)ي‬.
- Example: ‫( و‬Wāw) in "‫( "سوق‬sūq - market).

3. **Short Vowels (‫)الحروف القصيرة‬:**

- Indicated by diacritic marks (Fatha, Damma, Kasra).
- Example: ‫( َأ‬Fatha on Aleph) in "‫( "كتاب‬Kitāb - book).

Understanding the various shapes and sounds is fundamental for reading and
writing in Arabic, as the script is cursive, and the form of a letter changes
based on its position within a word.

:‫حروف العلة والصحيحة‬

Vowel Letters (‫)حروف العلة‬:

These are the letters in the Arabic alphabet that primarily represent vowel
sounds. They include Alif (‫)أ‬, Waw (‫)و‬, and Ya (‫)ي‬. These letters can function
both as consonants and as carriers of long vowel sounds.

1. **Alif (‫)أ‬:**
- Represents the long vowel sounds 'ā' or 'i' depending on the context.
- Example: ‫( أم‬um - mother).

2. **Waw (‫)و‬:**
- Represents the long vowel sounds 'ū' or 'u' depending on the context.
- Example: ‫( ولد‬walad - boy).

3. **Ya (‫)ي‬:**
- Represents the long vowel sounds 'ī' or 'i' depending on the context.
- Example: ‫( يوم‬yawm - day).

Consonant Letters (‫)الحروف الصحيحة‬:

These letters represent consonant sounds in the Arabic language. There are
25 consonant letters in Arabic, each with its distinct sound.
1. **Examples of Consonant Letters:**
- ‫( ب‬Ba) as in "‫( "بيت‬Bayt - house).
- ‫( ت‬Ta) as in "‫( "تفاحة‬tuffāḥa - apple).
- ‫( ج‬Jim) as in "‫( "جميل‬jameel - beautiful).
- ‫( ح‬Ḥa) as in "‫( "حلم‬ḥulm - dream).
- ‫( خ‬Khā) as in "‫( "خير‬khayr - good).

Understanding the distinction between vowel and consonant letters is crucial

for proper pronunciation and comprehension in Arabic. Vowel letters play a
significant role in shaping the phonetics and overall structure of words, while
consonant letters contribute to the core sounds of the language.

:‫الحركات الثالث والسكون والشدة والمد ة‬

Vowel Marks (‫)الحركات الثالث‬:

These marks indicate short vowels and are crucial for proper pronunciation.

1. **Fatha (‫)فتحة‬:**
- A small diagonal line above a letter.
- Represents the short 'a' sound.
- Example: ‫( َك َتاب‬kitāb - book).

2. **Damma (‫)ضمة‬:**
- A small curl-like mark above a letter.
- Represents the short 'u' sound.
- Example: ‫( ُك ُتب‬kutub - books).

3. **Kasra (‫)كسرة‬:**
- A small diagonal line below a letter.
- Represents the short 'i' sound.
- Example: ‫( ِك َتاب‬kitāb - a book).

Sukun (‫)السكون‬:
This mark indicates a consonant without a following vowel sound.

- **Sukun Symbol (‫)سكون‬:**

- A small circle above a letter.
- Indicates that the consonant is not followed by a vowel.
- Example: ‫( كتاب‬kitāb - book).

Shadda (‫)الشدة‬:
This mark emphasizes a doubled consonant sound.

- **Shadda Symbol (‫)شدة‬:**

- A small 'w' or 'v'-like mark above a letter.
- Represents the pronunciation of a doubled consonant.
- Example: ‫( ك ّتاب‬kuttāb - writers).

Madda (‫)المد‬:
This mark represents the elongation of a vowel sound.

- **Madda Symbol (‫)مد‬:**

- A diagonal line above Alif (‫ )آ‬at the beginning of a word.
- Indicates the elongation of the 'a' sound.
- Example: ‫( آدم‬Ādam - Adam).

Understanding these diacritical marks is essential for accurate Arabic

pronunciation and comprehension, as they provide information about vowel
length, consonant emphasis, and pronunciation nuances.

:‫الحروف الشمسية والقمرية‬

Solar Letters (‫)الحروف الشمسية‬:

These letters are also known as "‫( "الحروف الزائدة‬Excessive Letters) and they
affect the pronunciation of the definite article "‫( "ال‬al).
1. **Solar Letters (‫)الحروف الشمسية‬:**
- ‫( ت‬Ta), ‫( ث‬Tha), ‫( د‬Dal), ‫( ذ‬Dhāl), ‫( ر‬Rā), ‫( ز‬Zay), ‫( س‬Sīn), ‫( ش‬Shīn), ‫( ص‬Ṣād),
‫( ض‬Ẓā), ‫( ط‬Ṭā), ‫( ظ‬Ẓā).

2. **Definite Article "‫( "ال‬Al):**

- When the definite article "‫( "ال‬al) precedes a solar letter, assimilation
occurs, and the "l" sound is pronounced as part of the following letter.
- Example: ‫( الكتاب‬al-kitāb - the book), where "l" assimilates with the
following "k" sound.

Lunar Letters (‫)الحروف القمرية‬:

These letters are also known as "‫( "الحروف الناقصة‬Deficient Letters) and they do
not affect the pronunciation of the definite article "‫( "ال‬al).

1. **Lunar Letters (‫)الحروف القمرية‬:**

- ‫( ب‬Ba), ‫( ج‬Jim), ‫( ح‬Ḥa), ‫( خ‬Khā), ‫( ف‬Fā), ‫( ق‬Qāf), ‫( م‬Mīm), ‫( ن‬Nūn), ‫( ه‬Hā), ‫و‬
(Wāw), ‫( ي‬Ya).

2. **Definite Article "‫( "ال‬Al):**

- When the definite article "‫( "ال‬al) precedes a lunar letter, the "l" sound is
pronounced separately.
- Example: ‫( البيت‬al-bayt - the house), where "l" is pronounced distinctly
from the following "b" sound.

Understanding the solar and lunar nature of Arabic letters is important for
correct pronunciation, especially when dealing with the definite article "‫"ال‬
(al) and its assimilation with subsequent letters.

Unit 02

:‫(الكلمة وأنواعها )اسم وفعل وحرف‬

"‫( "الكلمة‬Al-Kalimah - The Word) and its types in Arabic, including "‫( "االسم‬The
Noun), "‫( "الفعل‬The Verb), and "‫( "الحرف‬The Particle).

The Word (‫)الكلمة‬:

In Arabic grammar, a word (‫ )الكلمة‬is a unit of language with a specific meaning
and function. Words can be categorized into different types based on their
roles and characteristics.

The Noun (‫)االسم‬:

1. **Definition:**
- "‫( "االسم‬Al-Ism) refers to a noun, which is a word that represents a person,
place, thing, or idea.

2. **Characteristics:**
- Nouns in Arabic have gender (masculine or feminine), number (singular or
plural), and case (nominative, accusative, or genitive).

3. **Example:**
- ‫( كتاب‬kitāb - book) - In this example, "‫ "كتاب‬is a masculine singular noun.

The Verb (‫)الفعل‬:

1. **Definition:**
- "‫( "الفعل‬Al-Fa‘l) refers to a verb, which is a word that expresses an action,
occurrence, or a state of being.

2. **Characteristics:**
- Verbs in Arabic are conjugated based on the person, number, gender, and
tense of the subject.

3. **Example:**
- ‫( يقرأ‬yaqra’ - he reads) - In this example, "‫ "قرأ‬is a verb indicating the action
of reading.
The Particle (‫)الحرف‬:
1. **Definition:**
- "‫( "الحرف‬Al-Harf) refers to a particle, which is a word that serves a
grammatical function but does not convey a specific meaning by itself.

2. **Characteristics:**
- Particles in Arabic include prepositions, conjunctions, and other
connecting words.

3. **Example:**
- ‫( في‬fī - in) - In this example, "‫ "في‬is a preposition, serving to indicate
location or possession.

Understanding the types of words in Arabic, namely nouns, verbs, and

particles, is fundamental for constructing meaningful sentences and grasping
the structure of the language.

:‫المعرفة والنكرة‬

The Definite (‫)المعرفة‬:

1. **Definition:**
- "‫( "المعرفة‬Al-Ma'rifah) refers to the definite article "‫( "ال‬Al) in Arabic. It is
used to specify a particular noun and make it known to the speaker and
listener.

2. **Characteristics:**
- The definite article "‫( "ال‬Al) is added to the beginning of a noun to indicate
that the noun is known or specific.
- Example: ‫( الكتاب‬al-kitāb - the book) - In this example, "‫ "ال‬makes the noun
"‫ "كتاب‬definite, referring to a specific book.

The Indefinite (‫)النكرة‬:

1. **Definition:**
 - "‫( "النكرة‬Al-Nakrah) refers to the absence of the definite article "‫( "ال‬Al) in
Arabic. When a noun lacks the definite article, it is considered indefinite.

2. **Characteristics:**
- An indefinite noun does not refer to a specific or known entity and is used
in a more general sense.
- Example: ‫( كتاب‬kitāb - a book) - In this example, the absence of "‫ "ال‬makes
the noun "‫ "كتاب‬indefinite, referring to any book in a general sense.

Understanding the use of definite and indefinite articles is crucial in Arabic for
conveying specificity and generalization in communication. The definite article
"‫ "ال‬serves to identify and specify, while the absence of "‫ "ال‬indicates a more
general or unknown reference.

:‫المذكر والمؤنث‬

Masculine (‫)المذكر‬:
1. **Definition:**
- "‫( "المذكر‬Al-Mudhakkar) refers to the masculine gender in Arabic. Nouns,
pronouns, and verbs can be classified as masculine.

2. **Characteristics:**
- Masculine nouns often end with a consonant or certain vowel sounds.
- Masculine pronouns and verbs are conjugated accordingly.

3. **Example:**
- ‫( رجل‬rajul - man) - In this example, "‫ "رجل‬is a masculine noun.

Feminine (‫)المؤنث‬:
1. **Definition:**
- "‫( "المؤنث‬Al-Mu'annath) refers to the feminine gender in Arabic. Nouns,
pronouns, and verbs can be classified as feminine.

2. **Characteristics:**
 - Feminine nouns often end with the suffix "-‫( "ة‬ta marbuta) or other specific
vowel sounds.
- Feminine pronouns and verbs are conjugated accordingly.

3. **Example:**
- ‫( امرأة‬imra'ah - woman) - In this example, "‫ "امرأة‬is a feminine noun.

Agreement:
1. **Noun-Adjective Agreement:**
- Adjectives and other modifiers must agree in gender with the noun they
modify.
- Example: ‫( رجل طويل‬rajul tawīl - tall man), where "‫ "طويل‬agrees with the
masculine noun "‫رجل‬."

2. **Verb Agreement:**
- Verbs are conjugated to match the gender of the subject.
- Example: ‫( يقرأ‬yaqra’ - he reads) and ‫( تقرأ‬taqra’ - she reads).

Understanding the concepts of masculine and feminine is essential for proper

grammar and communication in Arabic. It impacts noun forms, pronoun
usage, and verb conjugation, contributing to the overall structure of
sentences.

:‫المفرد والمثنى والجمع‬

Singular (‫)المفرد‬:
1. **Definition:**
- "‫( "المفرد‬Al-Mufrad) refers to the singular form of a noun or pronoun in
Arabic.

2. **Characteristics:**
- Singular nouns and pronouns indicate one person, thing, or entity.
- Example: ‫( كتاب‬kitāb - book) - In this example, "‫ "كتاب‬is in the singular form.
Dual (‫)المثنى‬:
1. **Definition:**
- "‫( "المثنى‬Al-Muthanna) refers to the dual form in Arabic. It is used to
indicate two persons, things, or entities.

2. **Characteristics:**
- Dual nouns and pronouns typically have specific suffixes or changes in
vowel patterns.
- Example: ‫( كتابان‬kitābān - two books) - In this example, "‫ "كتابان‬is in the dual
form.

Plural (‫)الجمع‬:
1. **Definition:**
- "‫( "الجمع‬Al-Jam') refers to the plural form in Arabic. It is used to indicate
three or more persons, things, or entities.

2. **Characteristics:**
- Plural nouns and pronouns have various patterns, often involving changes
in vowel patterns or additional letters.
- Example: ‫( كتب‬kutub - books) - In this example, "‫ "كتب‬is in the plural form.

Agreement:
1. **Adjective Agreement:**
- Adjectives and modifiers must agree in number (singular, dual, or plural)
with the nouns they modify.
- Example: ‫( رجالن طويالن‬rajulān tawīlān - two tall men), where "‫"طويالن‬
agrees with the dual noun "‫رجالن‬."

2. **Verb Agreement:**
- Verbs are conjugated to match the number and gender of the subject.
- Example: ‫( يقرأ‬yaqra’ - he reads) and ‫( يقرؤون‬yaqra’ūn - they read).
Understanding the concepts of singular, dual, and plural is essential for
constructing grammatically correct sentences in Arabic and for expressing
quantity and number accurately.

:‫أسماء اإلشارة‬

Demonstrative Pronouns (‫)أسماء اإلشارة‬:

1. **Definition:**
- Demonstrative pronouns are words used to indicate or point to specific
people, places, things, or ideas.

2. **In Arabic:**
- Arabic has two sets of demonstrative pronouns, one for near objects (,‫هذا‬
‫ هؤالء‬,‫ )هذه‬and one for distant objects (‫ تلكن‬,‫ تلكم‬,‫ تلكما‬,‫ تلك‬,‫)ذلك‬.

Demonstrative Pronouns for Near Objects:

1. **Masculine Singular:**
- ‫( هذا‬hādhā) - This (for a near, masculine singular object).
- Example: ‫( هذا الكتاب‬hādhā al-kitāb - this book).

2. **Feminine Singular:**
- ‫( هذه‬hādhihi) - This (for a near, feminine singular object).
- Example: ‫( هذه الطاولة‬hādhihi al-ṭāwila - this table).

3. **Plural:**
- ‫( هؤالء‬hā'ulā') - These (for near objects, both masculine and feminine, in
plural).
- Example: ‫( هؤالء الطالب‬hā'ulā' al-ṭullāb - these students).

Demonstrative Pronouns for Distant Objects:

1. **Masculine Singular:**
- ‫( ذلك‬dhālik) - That (for a distant, masculine singular object).
- Example: ‫( ذلك البناية‬dhālik al-bināyah - that building).
2. **Feminine Singular:**
- ‫( تلك‬tilka) - That (for a distant, feminine singular object).
- Example: ‫( تلك السيارة‬tilka al-sayyārah - that car).

3. **Dual Forms and Plural:**

- For dual and plural distant objects, the pronouns have variations (,‫ تلكم‬,‫تلكما‬
‫)تلكن‬.
- Example: ‫( تلكم الكتب‬tilkum al-kutub - those books).

Agreement:
- Demonstrative pronouns must agree in gender and number with the
nouns they refer to.

Understanding and using demonstrative pronouns are crucial for indicating

and specifying objects or ideas in Arabic, adding precision to communication

Unit 03.

See At Prescribed 📕Book.