the Adjectives in the Arabic language - الصِّفَاتُ
Introduction
Adjectives are descriptors that highlight the attributes, color, or flaws of nouns. Typically, they stem from intransitive verbs that indicate a state or condition, rather than an action. Various established patterns can be used to form adjectives.
1. فَاعِلٌ - active participle
Examples:
- صَالِحٌ – righteous/good
- عَالِمٌ – knowledgeable
- عَابِدٌ – worshipper
وَلَا أَنَا عَابِدٌ مَّا عَبَدتُّمْ
Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship. (109:4)
2. Adjectives pattern: فَعِيلٌ
Examples:
- كَرِمٌ – noble
- عَظِيمٌ – great
- رَحِيمٌ – merciful
- قَدِيرٌ – powerful
وَاللَّـهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
and Allah is Knowing and Wise. (9:15)
لَّهُمْ دَرَجَاتٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ
For them are degrees [of high position] with their Lord and forgiveness and noble provision. (8:4)
3. Adjectives pattern: فَعُولٌ
Examples:
- ظَلُومٌ – great wrong-doer
- غَفُورٌ – forgiver
- رَءُوفٌ – compassionate
إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَظَلُومٌ كَفَّارٌ
Indeed, humankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful. (14:34)
وَاللَّـهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (2:218)
وَاللَّـهُ رَءُوفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ
and Allah is Kind to [His] servants.” (3:30)
4. Adjective patterns: فَعْلانُ
Examples:
- غَضْبَانُ – angry
- رَحْمَانُ – most gracious
الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, (1:3)
فَرَجَعَ مُوسَىٰ إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ غَضْبَانَ أَسِفًا
So Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved (20:86)
5. Adjectives pattern: فَعَّالٌ
Examples:
- جَبَّارٌ – strong/powerful
الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ
the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior (59:23)
The patterns for expressing colors and defects in Arabic are as follows:
- Singular masculine: أَفْعَلُ
- Singular feminine: فَعْلاءُ
- Dual masculine: أَفْعَلانِ
- Dual feminine: فَعْلَوَانِ
- Plural masculine: فُعْلٌ
- Plural feminine: فُعْلٌ
Examples:
وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ
And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. (2:187)
وَاضْمُمْ يَدَكَ إِلَىٰ جَنَاحِكَ تَخْرُجْ بَيْضَاءَ مِنْ غَيْرِ سُوءٍ آيَةً أُخْرَىٰ
And draw in your hand to your side; it will come out white without disease – another sign, (20:22)
وَمِنَ الْجِبَالِ جُدَدٌ بِيضٌ وَحُمْرٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهَا وَغَرَابِيبُ سُودٌ
And in the mountains are tracts, white and red of varying shades and [some] extremely black. (35:27)
صُمٌّ بُكْمٌ عُمْيٌ فَهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ
Deaf, dumb and blind – so they will not return [to the right path]. (2:18)
Conclusion
This lesson on Arabic nuances concludes here. Insha’Allah, our subsequent session will delve into the noun for pre-eminence in Arabic.
Al-dirassa Institute invites you on a linguistic journey with our expert teachers to master the Arabic language. Should you wish to further your studies, we welcome your inquiries.
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