Arabic Grammar - Verbs

Verbs

Arabic verbs (فعل fiʿl), as the verbs in other Semitic languages, are extremely complicated. Verbs in Arabic are based on a root made up of three or four consonants (a so-called triliteral or quadriliteral root, respectively). The set of consonants communicates the basic meaning of a verb, e.g. k-t-b "write", q-r-ʾ "read", ʾ-k-l "eat". Changes to the vowels in between the consonants, along with prefixes and/or suffixes, specify grammatical functions such as tense, person and number, in addition to changes in the meaning of the verb that embody grammatical concepts such as mood (e.g. indicative, subjunctive, imperative); voice (active or passive); causative; intensive; or reflexive. Since Arabic lacks an auxiliary verb "to have", constructions with li,ʿinda and maʿ and the added pronouns are used to describe possession.

Example: عنده بيت (ʿindahū bayt.) -literally: With him (is) a house. → He has a house.

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