The noun of place and time - اِسْمُ الْمَكَانِ و الزَّمَانِ

Nouns Denoting Place and Time in Arabic: A Deeper Look

In Arabic grammar, nouns that express the place or time of an action rooted in a verb are a crucial component. These nouns are traditionally constructed following specific patterns:

1. مَفْعِلٌ Pattern:
   • Example: مَجْلِسٌ (Gathering), where the action is “sitting” derived from the verb جلس.
   • Example: مَشْرِقٌ (East), where the sun “rises”, stemming from the verb شرق.
2. مَفْعَلٌ Pattern:
   • Example: مَذْهَبٌ (Religion or creed), linking to the verb ذهب meaning to go.
   • Example: مَقْتَلٌ (Battlefield), which connects with قتل, signifying killing.
3. مَفْعَلَةٌ Pattern:
   • Example: مَقْبَرَةٌ (Tomb) or burial site, which comes from the verb قبر, to bury.

Guidelines to Determine Patterns:

• If the imperfect form of the verb has a second radical with a dammah (يَفْعُلُ), the noun typically follows the مَفْعَلٌ pattern. For instance, the verb يَقْتُلُ leads to مَقْتَلٌ (Battlefield).

• Conversely, when the imperfect form bears a kasrah (يَفْعِلُ), the مَفْعِلٌ pattern is generally used. An example being يَجْلِسُ, which yields مَجْلِسٌ (Gathering).

• There are exceptions. For instance, even when the imperfect verb form is يَسْجُدُ, the noun derived is مَسْجِدٌ (Mosque), using the مَفْعِلٌ pattern.

Plurality:

The plural form for both the masculine and feminine nouns usually follows the مَفَاعِلُ pattern. For instance, مَسْجِدٌ (Mosque) becomes مَسَاجِدُ (Mosques).

Passive Participles as Nouns of Place/Time:

Some passive participles, or مَفْعُولٌ, from derived verbs can act as nouns of place and time. For instance, from the verb أَدْخَلَ (to enter), we get مُدْخَلٌ, which means “entrance.”

This exploration showcases the rich morphology and structure of Arabic nouns, specifically ones denoting place and time, offering insights into the depth and versatility of the Arabic language.