Most Arabic words grow from a root of three consonants that carries a core meaning. A verb form is a fixed pattern laid over the root, and each pattern nudges the meaning in a predictable direction.
Roots
The root k-t-b is about writing:
- كتبkatabhe wrote
- كتابktaabbook
- مكتبmaktaboffice, desk
- مكتوبmaktuubwritten; a letter
The forms Levantine uses most
Grammarians number the patterns with Roman numerals and use f-3-l as a placeholder root.
| Form | Pattern | Present | Typical meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | fa3al | yif3ol / yif3al | the basic meaning | katab (write), shirib (drink) |
| II | fa33al | yfa33el | make someone do it; intensive | 3allam (teach), ghayyar (change) |
| III | faa3al | yfaa3el | do it with/to someone | saa3ad (help), 7aawal (try) |
| V | tfa33al | yitfa33al | reflexive of II | t3allam (learn), t7arrak (move) |
| VI | tfaa3al | yitfaa3al | do it to each other | t2aabalu (they met) |
| VII | nfa3al | yinfi3el | get done | nkasar (get broken) |
| VIII | fta3al | yifti3el | self-directed | shtaghal (work), 7taram (respect) |
| X | stfa3al | yistaf3el | seek, consider | sta3mal (use), stanna (wait) |
Form IV (af3al) belongs mainly to Modern Standard Arabic. Levantine usually uses Form II or I instead.
Pairs to spot
- علّم ← تعلّم3allam → t3allamteach → learn (II → V)
- فتح ← انفتحfata7 → nfata7open → be opened (I → VII)
Levantine's n- passive
Levantine makes many passives with Form VII: nfata7 (was opened), nkatab (was written), nsara2 (was stolen). Some speakers use t- instead: tkatab.