the Adjectives in the Arabic language - الصِّفَاتُ | Free Arabic Course

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, theEspecially 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.

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