Lesson 2 Grammatical Themes

Question 1

Unit 7 - 9 The Sun and the Moon letters and Definite Nounc

What are the Moon and Sun Letters in Arabic, and why are they important?

Answer 1

🌙 Moon Letters (الحروف القمرية):
When “ال” (al-) is added before a Moon Letter, the ل (lam) is pronounced clearly.
Examples: القمر (al-qamar), الباب (al-bāb)

Moon Letters:
ا‎ (Alif), ب (Bāʾ), ج (Jīm), ح (Ḥāʾ), خ (Khāʾ), ع (ʿAyn), غ (Ghayn), ف (Fāʾ), ق (Qāf), ك (Kāf), م (Mīm), و (Wāw), ه (Hāʾ), ي (Yāʾ)

🌞 Sun Letters (الحروف الشمسية):
When “ال” (al-) is added before a Sun Letter, the ل (lam) is silent and the Sun Letter is doubled (shaddah).
Examples: الشمس (ash-shams), النور (an-nūr)
——–
Sun Letters:
ت (Tāʾ), ث (Thāʾ), د (Dāl), ذ (Dhāl), ر (Rāʾ), ز (Zāy), س (Sīn), ش (Shīn), ص (Ṣād), ض (Ḍād), ط (Ṭāʾ), ظ (Ẓāʾ), ل (Lām), ن (Nūn)
——————————-
Memory Trick:
🌙 Moon letters “stand alone” like the moon in the sky → “ال” (al-) stays clear
🌞 Sun letters “blend in” like the sun’s rays → “ال” (al-) merges with the letter

Question 2

Unit 8

What happens when the Arabic definite article “الْ” (al) is added to an indefinite noun?

Answer 2

When الْ (al) is added to an indefinite noun:
The noun becomes definite (e.g., “a door” → “the door”).
Tanwin (nunation) is removed, leaving only a short vowel (harakah).
Example:
بَابٌ (bābun) → “a door” (indefinite, with tanwin ٌ )
الْبَابُ (al-bābu) → “the door” (definite, no tanwin)
❌ Never use tanwin on a definite noun with الْ!
—-
🔹 Tip to Remember: Think of الْ as a marker that “locks” the word into definiteness—like putting a key in a door (باب)! 🚪🔑

Question 3

unit 8

What happens when “ال” (al-) is added to an indefinite noun that starts with a Moon Letter?

Answer 3

🌙 Rule No. 15: “ال” + Moon Letters = “Lam” is Pronounced

When “ال” (al-) is added to an indefinite noun that starts with a Moon Letter, the ل (lam) is pronounced clearly.
The noun becomes definite and keeps its original pronunciation.

Example Analysis:
✅ Indefinite → Definite
بَابٌ (bābun) → الْبَابُ (al-bābu) The door
جَنَّةٌ (jannatun) → الْجَنَّةُ (al-jannatu) The garden
حَرْثٌ (ḥarthun) → الْحَرْثُ (al-ḥarthu) The field

🔹 Key Change:

The ل (lam) is fully pronounced when the noun starts with a Moon Letter.
The noun becomes definite but retains its full clarity in pronunciation.

Memory Trick:
🌙 Moon = Light, Clear, and Fully Seen → Lam is pronounced clearly!

🚪 Imagine opening a door:

If it’s a random door (بَابٌ), it’s just “a door.”
If it’s “الْبَابُ,” the door is clearly recognized, just like how the lam (ل) is fully heard!
⚠️ Reminder: This only applies to Moon Letters! (ا, ب, ج, ح, خ, ع, غ, ف, ق, ك, م, و, ه, ي)

Question 4

Unit 8

What happens when “ال” (al-) is added to an indefinite noun that starts with a Sun Letter?

Answer 4

Rule No. 16: “ال” + Sun Letters = “Lam” is Assimilated

When “ال” (al-) is added to a noun that begins with a Sun Letter, the ل (lam) is NOT pronounced.
Instead, it merges into the Sun Letter, which gets a shaddah ( ّ ) to indicate the doubling of the sound.

Example Analysis:
✅ Indefinite → Definite
تُرَابٌ (turābun) → التُّرَابُ (at-turābu) The soil
صِرَاطٌ (ṣirāṭun) → الصِّرَاطُ (aṣ-ṣirāṭu) The path

🔹 Key Change:

The ل (lam) is completely absorbed into the Sun Letter.
A shaddah ( ّ ) appears on the Sun Letter to show the assimilation.
——-
Memory Trick:
☀️ Sun = Bright, Overpowering, and Strong → The lam disappears into the Sun Letter!

🔥 Think of the Sun burning away the lam!

If it’s a random path (صِرَاطٌ), it’s just “a path.”
If it’s “الصِّرَاطُ,” the lam vanishes, and the Sun Letter shines brighter!
⚠️ Reminder: This only applies to Sun Letters! (ت, ث, د, ذ, ر, ز, س, ش, ص, ض, ط, ظ, ل, ن)

Question 5

Unit 9 Rule No. 17

How do you say “that” in Arabic for singular masculine and feminine nouns?

Answer 5

📜 Rule No. 17: “That” for Far Objects

🔹 ذَلِكَ (dhālika) → “That” (Masculine, M1)
🔹 تِلْكَ (tilka) → “That” (Feminine, F1)
🔹 Used for things that are far away 👀🏞️

Example Sentences:
👕 ذَلِكَ ثَوْبٌ (dhālika thawbun) → That is a garment.
🏠 تِلْكَ غُرْفَةٌ (tilka ghurfatun) → That is a room.
—
Memory Trick:
🚀 “ذَلِكَ” sounds strong and bold → Used for masculine objects (like a sturdy garment).
🎀 “تِلْكَ” sounds soft and elegant → Used for feminine objects (like a cozy room).

🌍 Imagine pointing at something far away:

If it’s a boy’s jacket, you’d say ذَلِكَ ثَوْبٌ 👦
If it’s a girl’s room, you’d say تِلْكَ غُرْفَةٌ 👧
🛑 Reminder: These words only refer to things far away, not nearby!

Question 6

Unit 10 The Verb: Perfect

What is the Arabic Perfect Verb (الفعل الماضي)?

Answer 6

✅ The Perfect verb in Arabic refers to a completed action (similar to the English past tense).

✅ Most Arabic verbs have three radical letters (triliteral), but some have four (quadriliteral).

✅ Arabic grammarians use فَعَلَ (fa‘ala - “he did”) as the root example for verb patterns.

Question 7

Unit 10 The Verb: Perfect

Structure of the Arabic Perfect Verb (فعل ماضي)

Answer 7

✅ Triliteral Verbs follow this pattern: فَعَلَ (fa‘ala)

First Radical (Fa’) → Always has Fathah (ـَ)
Second Radical (‘Ayn) → Can have Fathah (ـَ), Kasrah (ـِ), or Dammah (ـُ)
Third Radical (Lam) → Always has Fathah (ـَ)

This can help you read Arabic without the Fathah, Ayn and Dummah.

Question 8

Unit 10 The Verb: Perfect

Three Main Patterns of the Perfect Verb

Answer 8

1️⃣ فَعَلَ (fa‘ala) – “He did”
📖 Example: كَتَبَ (kataba) → “He wrote”

2️⃣ فَعِلَ (fa‘ila) – “He remained in a state”
📚 Example: جَهِلَ (jahila) → “He remained ignorant”

3️⃣ فَعُلَ (fa‘ula) – “He became [a quality]”
💪 Example: ضَعُفَ (ḍa‘ufa) → “He
became weak”

Question 9

Unit 10 The Verb: Perfect

Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs

Answer 9

🛠️** Transitive Verbs (متعدّ) → Needs an Object**

The action affects something or someone.
كَتَبَ (kataba) → “He wrote (something).”
📝 Example: “He wrote a letter.” (The action affects “a letter.”)

🚶 Intransitive Verbs (لازم) → No Object Needed
The action happens by itself—it doesn’t need an object.
جَلَسَ (jalasa) → “He sat.”
🛋️ Example: “He sat on the chair.” (No object needed.)
–
🏋️** Describing Qualities (Also Intransitive)**

Some verbs describe a state or quality and don’t need an object.
ضَعُفَ (ḍa‘ufa) → “He became weak.”
💪 Example: “After running, he became weak.”

🔄* Some verbs can be both!*
سَمِعَ (sami‘a) →
“He heard” (transitive) → “He heard the news.”
“He listened” (intransitive) → “He listened carefully.”
💡 Quick Trick:

If you can ask “what?” after the verb, it’s transitive!
“He wrote… what?” → “A letter!” ✅
If not, it’s intransitive!
“He sat… what?” ❌ No answer needed!

Question 10

Unit 10 The Verb: Perfect

Memory Trick for Arabic Verbs

Answer 10

🧩 Think of the verb pattern like LEGO blocks!

“Fa” and “Lam” stay the same, but “Ayn” changes the meaning!
Fathah (ـَ) → Action (كَتَبَ - He wrote)
Kasrah (ـِ) → State (جَهِلَ - He remained ignorant)
Dammah (ـُ) → Permanent quality (ضَعُفَ - He became weak)
💡 Picture “فَعَلَ” as a strong action, “فَعِلَ” as a passive state, and “فَعُلَ” as a lasting trait!

Question 11

Unit 10 The Verb: Perfect

Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs (Simple Explanation)

Answer 11

🛠️ Transitive Verbs (متعدّ) → Needs an Object

The action affects something or someone.
كَتَبَ (kataba) → “He wrote (something).”
📝 Example: “He wrote a letter.” (The action affects “a letter.”)
🚶 Intransitive Verbs (لازم) → No Object Needed

The action happens by itself—it doesn’t need an object.
جَلَسَ (jalasa) → “He sat.”
🛋️ Example: “He sat on the chair.” (No object needed.)
🏋️ Describing Qualities (Also Intransitive)

• Some verbs describe a state or quality and don’t need an object.
  ضَعُفَ (ḍa‘ufa) → “He became weak.”
• 💪 Example: “After running, he became weak.”

🔄 Some verbs can be both!
سَمِعَ (sami‘a) →
- “He heard” (transitive) → “He heard the news.”
- “He listened” (intransitive) → “He listened carefully.”
💡 Quick Trick:

• If you can ask “what?” after the verb, it’s transitive!
  “He wrote… what?” → “A letter!” ✅
• If not, it’s intransitive!
  “He sat… what?” ❌ No answer needed!

Question 12

Unit 10 Rule No. 18 – Third Person Masculine Singular (III M1) Verbs

How does an Arabic verb change when the subject (مبتدأ) is third person masculine singular (III M1)?

Answer 12

✅ If the subject (مبتدأ) is third person masculine singular (III M1), the verb ends in اَ (a).

🔹 Example:
مُوْسَى عَلِمَ (Musa ‘alima) → “Musa knew.”
– E.G.
مُوْسَى (Musa) is III M1 (third person masculine singular).
عَلِمَ (‘alima) ends in aa اَ to match the subject.
–
📝 Key Rule:

🧠 Memory Trick:
“Musa knows the ‘a’ rule!” 🔠 If the subject is III M1, the verb gets an “َ a” at the end!

Question 13

Unit 10 Rule No. 19 – Third Person Feminine Singular (III F1) Verbs

How does an Arabic verb change when the subject (مبتدأ) is third person feminine singular (III F1)?

Answer 13

✅ If the subject (مبتدأ) is third person feminine singular (III F1), the verb ends in (تْ).

🔹 Example:
* مَرْيَمُ عَلِمَتْ (Maryam ‘alimat) → “Maryam knew.”
* مَرْيَمُ (Maryam) is III F1 (third person feminine singular).
* عَلِمَتْ (‘alimat) ends in تْ to match the subject.

📌 Key Rule:
* In examples 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, 13, and 15, all verbs follow this rule!
✨ Bonus: Using ثُمَّ (thumma)

• ثُمَّ means “then” and shows a time gap between two actions.
• Example:
• هُوَ دَخَلَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ (Huwa dakhala thumma kharaja) → “He entered, then he came out.”

🧠 Memory Trick:
💡 “If SHE did it, add a تْ at the end!”

Question 14

Unit 10 Rule No. 19 – Third Person Feminine Singular (III F1) Verbs

How do Arabic verbs change when the subject is third person feminine singular (III F1)?

Answer 14

🌸 If the subject is a singular feminine (III F1), the verb ends with (تْ).

🔹 Example:
* مَرْيَمُ عَلِمَتْ (Maryam ‘alimat) → “Maryam knew.”
* مَرْيَمُ (Maryam) is a singular feminine subject (III F1).
* عَلِمَتْ (‘alimat) ends in تْ to match the feminine subject.

📌 Key Rule:

The verb must match the subject in gender and number.

✨ Bonus: The Connector ثُمَّ (thumma)

• ثُمَّ means “then” and shows a time gap between actions.
• Example:
• هُوَ دَخَلَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ (Huwa dakhala thumma kharaja) → “He entered, then he came out.”
  🧠 Memory Trick:
  💡 “If SHE did it, the verb gets a تْ at the end!”

Question 15

Unit 11, No. 20 – Kasrah of Convenience & Hamzat al-Wasl

What happens when a word ending in a quiescent consonant is followed by a word starting with Hamzat al-Wasl (اَلْ)?

Answer 15

A kasrah (ِ ) is added to the silent consonant to smoothly connect the two words.

🔹 Example 1:
جَهِلَتِ الْأُمُّ (Jahilat-il-ummu) → “The mother was ignorant.”

• جَهِلَتْ (jahilat) ends in تْ (quiescent ta).
• الأُمُّ (al-ummu) starts with Hamzat al-Wasl (اَلْ).
• To connect them smoothly, we add kasrah (ِ ) to تْ, making it جَهِلَتِ الْأُمُّ.
  🔹 Example 2:
  هَلِ الْبِنْتُ ضَعُفَتْ ؟ (Hali-l-bintu da‘ufat?) → “Did the girl become weak?”
• هَلْ (hal) ends in لْ (quiescent lam).
• البِنْتُ (al-bintu) starts with Hamzat al-Wasl (اَلْ).
• ## A kasrah كِ is added to لْ, making it هَلِ الْبِنْتُ for easy pronunciation.📌 Key Rule:
• This “Kasrah of Convenience” helps smooth articulation when reading.
• The verb usually comes before the subject in Arabic, so no subject pronoun is needed in these cases.
• 🧠 Memory Trick:
• 💡 “If a silent letter meets Hamzat al-Wasl, add a kasrah to keep it smooth!”

Question 16

Unit 11 Rule No. 21 – Second Person Masculine Singular (II M1) Verbs

How do Arabic verbs change when the subject is second person masculine singular (II M1)?

Answer 16

👤 If the subject is “you” (أَنْتَ) and masculine singular, the verb ends in (تَ).

🔹 Example:
أَأَنْتَ كَتَبْتَ ؟ (A’anta katabta?) → “Did you write?”
* أَنْتَ (anta) means “you” (masculine singular).
* كَتَبْتَ (katabta) means “you wrote”, ending in تَ because the subject is II M1.
* The final radical (Lām letter, which is Bā’ in this case) remains silent.

📌 Key Rule:

• Verbs in second person masculine singular (II M1) always end in (تَ).
• The last root letter (Lām) stays quiescent (silent).

🧠 Memory Trick:
💡 “If you (masculine) did it, the verb gets a تَ at the end!”

Question 17

Unit 11 Rule No. 22 – Second Person Feminine Singular (II F1) Verbs

How do Arabic verbs change when the subject is second person feminine singular (II F1)?

Answer 17

👩 If the subject is “you” (أَنْتِ) and feminine singular, the verb ends in (تِ).

🔹 Example:
هَلْ أَنْتِ سَمِعْتِ ؟ (Hal anti sami‘ti?) → “Did you (F) listen?”

• أَنْتِ (anti) means “you” (feminine singular).
• سَمِعْتِ (sami‘ti) means “you listened”, ending in تِ because the subject is II F1.
• The final radical letter (Lām) remains silent.

📌 Key Rule:

• Verbs in second person feminine singular (II F1) always end in (تِ).
• The last root letter (Lām) stays quiescent (silent).
• In examples 2, 3, 6, and 9, verbs like دَخَلْتِ = (you entered), أَكَلْتِ = (you ate), سَمِعْتِ = (you listened), كَتَبْتِ = (you wrote) all follow this pattern.

🧠 Memory Trick:
💡 “If you (feminine) did it, the verb gets a تِ at the end!”

Question 18

Unit 11 First Person Singular Verbs (Rule No. 23)

First Person Singular Verbs

Answer 18

👤 “I” Did It! (Masculine & Feminine)

📌 Rule: When the subject is first-person singular (I M1 / I F1), the verb ends in تُ while keeping the last radical letter quiescent (silent).

📝 Example:
✅ أَنَا كَتَبْتُ (Ana katabtu) → “I wrote.”

💡 Breakdown:

أَنَا = “I” (works for both masculine & feminine).
كَتَبْ = Root verb “wrote.”
تُ = First-person marker (“I”).
ب stays silent (quiescent).
🎯 Pattern: This applies to many verbs!
✅ أَنَا أَكَلْتُ (Ana akaltu) → “I ate.”
✅ أَنَا سَمِعْتُ (Ana sami‘tu) → “I heard.”

🔑 Key to Remember:
Whenever أَنَا is the subject, add تُ to the verb and keep the last letter quiet! 🤫✨

Question 19

Unit 12

Active Participle (اِسْمُ الفَاعِلِ)
🚀 Who is doing the action?
📌 Rule: The Active Participle (AP) is used for the doer of an action. It works as a noun or adjective.
🛠 How to Form It (M1):

Answer 19

1️⃣ Add Alif (ا) after the first radical letter (Fa).
2️⃣ Put Kasrah (ِ ) under the second radical (‘Ayn).
3️⃣ The last letter (Lam) takes tanwin (ٌ) if indefinite, or a short vowel if definite.

💡 Examples:
✅ فَاعِلٌ → Doer (from فَعَلَ)
✅ كَاتِبٌ → Writer (from كَتَبَ)
✅ سَامِعٌ → Listener (from سَمِعَ)

👩 Feminine Form: Add ة to the end!
✅ فَاعِلَةٌ → Female doer
✅ كَاتِبَةٌ → Female writer
✅ سَامِعَةٌ → Female listener

🔹 Special Pattern: فَعِيْلٌ (For Adjectives & Attributes of Allah)

سَمِيْعٌ → All-Hearing (from سَمِعَ)
عَلِيْمٌ → All-Knowing (from عَلِمَ)
🔑 Key Tip:
If a verb follows the فَعُلَ pattern (with a dammah on ‘Ayn), the Active Participle must follow the فَعِيْلٌ pattern!
✅ ضَعِيْفٌ → Weak (from ضَعُفَ)

📖 Example Sentence:
➡ الْأَبُ ضَعِيْفٌ وَالْأُمُّ ضَعِيْفَةٌ
(The father is weak, and the mother is weak.)

Question 20

How do Arabic verb patterns determine whether a verb is transitive or intransitive?

Answer 20

Arabic verbs can be:

🔹 مُتَعَدّ (Transitive) → Needs a direct object.
🔹 لاَزِم (Intransitive) → Does NOT need a direct object.

🟢 فَعَلَ (fa‘ala) – Mostly Transitive
• These verbs show action that affects something.
• Example: كَتَبَ (kataba – he wrote), أَكَلَ (akala – he ate).
• Exception: Some verbs remain intransitive, like جَلَسَ (jalasa – he sat).

🟡 فَعِلَ (fa‘ila) – Mostly Intransitive
• These verbs express feelings or knowledge.
• Example: عَلِمَ (ʿalima – he knew), جَهِلَ (jahila – he remained ignorant).

🔴 فَعُلَ (fa‘ula) – Always Intransitive
• These verbs describe permanent qualities.
• Example: ضَعُفَ (daʿufa – he became weak).

**🔵 Some verbs can be both transitive & intransitive!
• Example: سَمِعَ (samiʿa – he heard).

—————

💡Easy Mnemonics to Remember

🔹 فَعَلَ = “Action verbs” → Mostly Transitive (writing, eating)
🔹 فَعِلَ = “Feeling/Knowing verbs” → Mostly Intransitive (knowing, being ignorant)
🔹 فَعُلَ = “Permanent Traits” → Always Intransitive (being weak)
🔹 Some verbs are “Shapeshifters” → Can be both!

Question 21

Three perfect verb patterns

Answer 21

Sure! Here are example sentences using each of the three perfect verb patterns:

1️⃣ فَعَلَ (fa‘ala) – “He did”

This pattern is used for simple actions.

📖 كَتَبَ الطِّفْلُ رِسَالَةً.
(Kataba aṭ-ṭiflu risālataً.)
“The child wrote a letter.”

2️⃣ فَعِلَ (fa‘ila) – “He remained in a state”

This pattern often describes emotions or states.

📚 جَهِلَ الرَّجُلُ الحَقِيقَةَ.
(Jahila ar-rajulu al-ḥaqīqata.)
“The man remained ignorant of the truth.”

3️⃣ فَعُلَ (fa‘ula) – “He became [a quality]”

This pattern describes a transformation or quality.

💪 ضَعُفَ الجَسَدُ بَعْدَ المَرَضِ.
(Ḍa‘ufa al-jasadu ba‘da al-maraḍi.)
“The body became weak after the illness.”