7

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The Art of Rhetoric and Literary Flow

القاعدة 4 من 5 في هذا الفصل
C1 prepositions_particles 3 دقيقة للقراءة

Explicit Similes Using Ka and Mith

وضع علامة كمكتسب

Use `ka` + genitive noun for quick comparisons, and `mithl` when attaching to pronouns or functioning as a noun.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Ka (كـ) attaches to nouns as a prefix.
  • Mithl (مثل) is a noun used in idafa.
  • Ka forces the following noun into genitive.
  • Use Mithl for pronouns (mithli, mithluka).

Quick Reference

Particle Type Followed By Case Impact
Ka (كـ) Preposition (Prefix) Noun only Genitive (Majrur)
Mithl (مثل) Noun Noun or Pronoun Genitive (Idafa)
Kama (كما) Compound Particle Verb or Sentence None (usually)
Ka-anna (kinda related) Sister of Inna Noun/Suffix Accusative (Mansub)
Shibh (shabih) Noun/Adjective Noun Genitive

أمثلة رئيسية

3 من 9
1

Yajri al-'adda'u ka-l-fahdi fi al-midmar.

The runner runs like a cheetah on the track.

2

Sawtuha 'adhbun mithla taghridi al-tuyur.

Her voice is sweet like the singing of birds.

3

La tatasarraf wa-ka-annaka la ta'rifuni.

Don't act as if you don't know me.

⚠️

Mind the Kasra

The most common C1 exam error isn't choosing the wrong word, it's forgetting the genitive case. `Ka` = automatic Kasra.

🎯

Sentence Position Matters

Since `Mithl` is a noun, it can be the subject! `Mithluka la yakdhiluni` (Someone like you wouldn't fail me). `Ka` can't do that.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Ka (كـ) attaches to nouns as a prefix.
  • Mithl (مثل) is a noun used in idafa.
  • Ka forces the following noun into genitive.
  • Use Mithl for pronouns (mithli, mithluka).

Overview

Want to add some color to your Arabic? Explicit similes are your best friend. They let you say X is "like" Y. In English, we swap "like" and "as" pretty freely. In Arabic, you have two main players: ka (كـ) and mithl (مثل). They mostly do the same job, but they dress differently grammatically. Think of them as the difference between using a prefix and using a whole word. Master these, and you stop sounding like a robot listing facts and start sounding like a poet—or at least a very descriptive human.

How This Grammar Works

Here is the mechanic under the hood. Ka is a preposition that sticks directly onto the front of a noun. Because it's a preposition, it drags that noun into the genitive case (majrur). Mithl, on the other hand, is a regular noun meaning "likeness" or "equivalent." It usually sits in an idafa (possessive) construction. This means mithl itself can change case based on the sentence, but the word *after* it is always genitive. It's a bit more flexible than ka.

Formation Pattern

  1. 1The Ka Method: Ka + Noun. The noun gets a Kasra ending (genitive).
  2. 2The Mithl Method: Mithl + Noun. Mithl takes the case of the sentence role; the following noun gets a Kasra.
  3. 3Pronouns: You can't easily stick ka on a pronoun (you wouldn't say ka-hu). You use mithl for that: mithluhu (like him).

When To Use It

Use these when drawing a direct comparison. "He is fast ka-l-barq (like lightning)." Use mithl when you need to compare with a pronoun ("I am mithluka like you") or when the comparison is the subject of the sentence ("Mithlu hadha... The likes of this..."). Use ka for quick, sharp imagery.

When Not To Use It

Don't use these when you mean "as if" (hypothetical). That's ka-anna territory. Also, avoid ka if you are trying to attach it to a verb directly; ka loves nouns. If you need to compare an action, you might need kama (just as).

Common Mistakes

  • The Case Crash: Forgetting that ka makes the noun genitive. It's ka-l-asad-i, not ka-l-asad-u.
  • The Pronoun Jam: Trying to say ka-hu for "like him." Native speakers will look at you funny. Stick to mithluhu.
  • The Double Dip: Using ka and mithl together. Choose one. You don't say "He is ka-mithl..." unless you are getting super archaic or poetic (it exists in religious texts, but avoid it for daily C1 speech).

Contrast With Similar Patterns

  • Ka-anna: Means "as if" or "it looks like." It implies doubt or observation. Ka and mithl assert similarity.
  • Yushbihu: This is a verb ("resembles"). "He resembles his father." Similes are particles/nouns; this is an action.

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I use them interchangeably?

Often, yes, for nouns. Ka feels slightly more formal or literary in some contexts, but both are common.

Q: Is ka only for formal Arabic?

It's very Fusha (MSA). Dialects prefer zayy or mitl. But in C1 MSA, ka is bread and butter.

Reference Table

Particle Type Followed By Case Impact
Ka (كـ) Preposition (Prefix) Noun only Genitive (Majrur)
Mithl (مثل) Noun Noun or Pronoun Genitive (Idafa)
Kama (كما) Compound Particle Verb or Sentence None (usually)
Ka-anna (kinda related) Sister of Inna Noun/Suffix Accusative (Mansub)
Shibh (shabih) Noun/Adjective Noun Genitive
⚠️

Mind the Kasra

The most common C1 exam error isn't choosing the wrong word, it's forgetting the genitive case. `Ka` = automatic Kasra.

🎯

Sentence Position Matters

Since `Mithl` is a noun, it can be the subject! `Mithluka la yakdhiluni` (Someone like you wouldn't fail me). `Ka` can't do that.

💬

Don't Reinvent the Wheel

Arabic has stock similes. Generosity is 'like Hatim', patience is 'like Ayoub'. Using these makes you sound native.

💡

The 'Kama' Switch

Think of `Ka` as a glue stick for nouns. If you have a whole verb phrase, put the glue away and grab `Kama`.

أمثلة

9
#1 يجري العدّاء كالفهدِ في المضمار

Yajri al-'adda'u ka-l-fahdi fi al-midmar.

Focus: ka-l-fahdi

The runner runs like a cheetah on the track.

Classic use of 'ka' with a noun.

#2 صوتها عذبٌ مثلَ تغريدِ الطيور

Sawtuha 'adhbun mithla taghridi al-tuyur.

Focus: mithla

Her voice is sweet like the singing of birds.

'Mithla' here takes the accusative (adverbial) or nominative depending on parsing, but 'taghridi' is genitive.

#3 لا تتصرفْ وكأنك لا تعرفني

La tatasarraf wa-ka-annaka la ta'rifuni.

Focus: wa-ka-annaka

Don't act as if you don't know me.

Contrast: using 'ka-anna' for hypothetical behavior, not direct physical likeness.

#4 أبحث عن موظفٍ مثلكَ تماماً

Abhathu 'an muwazzafin mithlika tamaman.

Focus: mithlika

I am looking for an employee exactly like you.

'Mithl' attached to a pronoun ('ka').

#5 ✗ هو قوي كـالأسدُ

Huwa qawiyyun ka-l-asadu (Incorrect)

Focus: ka-l-asadu

He is strong like the lion.

Mistake: The noun after 'ka' must be genitive (kasra), not nominative (damma).

#6 ✓ هو قوي كـالأسدِ

Huwa qawiyyun ka-l-asadi (Correct)

Focus: ka-l-asadi

He is strong like the lion.

Correction: 'Asadi' takes the kasra.

#7 انتشر الخبر كالنارِ في الهشيم

Intashara al-khabaru ka-l-nari fi al-hashim.

Focus: ka-l-nari

The news spread like wildfire (lit: like fire in dry grass).

A very common idiomatic expression.

#8 موقفُه شجاعٌ كما هو متوقع

Mawqifuhu shuja'un kama huwa mutawaqqa'.

Focus: kama

His stance is brave, just as is expected.

Using 'Kama' because it introduces a clause/verb concept.

#9 ليس كمثلهِ شيء

Laysa ka-mithlihi shay'.

Focus: ka-mithlihi

There is nothing like Him (God).

Advanced/Religious: Combining 'ka' and 'mithl' for absolute emphasis/negation of similarity.

اختبر نفسك

Choose the correct particle to complete the sentence.

وجهُها يضيء ___ القمرِ في ليلة البدر.

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: كـ

We are comparing her face directly to a noun (the moon). 'Ka' fits perfectly here as a prefix to 'al-qamar'. 'Mithlu' is also possible grammatically but 'Ka' is the classic choice for poetic imagery.

Select the correct ending for the word after the particle.

إنه يسبح كـالسمكة___.

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: ِ (Kasra)

The preposition 'ka' always makes the following noun Majrur (genitive), which takes a Kasra.

Complete the sentence with a pronoun comparison.

أريد سيارة ___.

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: مثلهُ

You cannot attach 'ka' to a pronoun suffix. You must use 'mithl' + pronoun suffix.

🎉 النتيجة: /3

وسائل تعلم بصرية

Ka vs. Mithl Showdown

Ka (كـ)
Preposition Fixed form
Noun only No pronouns
Mithl (مثل)
Noun Declines by case
Flexible Accepts pronouns

Which Simile Word?

1

Are you comparing to a pronoun (like him/me)?

YES ↓
NO
1
2

Is it a full sentence/action?

YES ↓
NO
Use 'Ka' or 'Mithl' + Noun

Common Simile Contexts

🦁

Nature

  • • Ka-l-asad (Like a lion)
  • • Ka-l-jabal (Like a mountain)
⚡

Speed/Time

  • • Ka-l-barq (Like lightning)
  • • Ka-l-lamh (Like a glance)

الأسئلة الشائعة

21 أسئلة

Practically, no. Ka is slightly more emphatic and sharper, often used for poetic imagery. Mithl is more factual.

No, strictly speaking. While you might hear oddities in dialects, in correct Arabic, Ka does not attach to pronouns. Use Mithluhu.

The plural is Amthal (أمثال). You might see this in phrases like amthal hadha (examples like this).

Yes, Al-mithl (the like/the equivalent). You use it in the phrase Al-mu'amala bi-l-mithl (Reciprocity/Treating strictly in kind).

It still takes the genitive! Ka-asad-in (Like a lion). The in (tanween) is the genitive marker for indefinite nouns.

Nope. Ka is gender-neutral. It doesn't care if the noun is masculine or feminine.

Yes, specifically in prepositional phrases. Ka-rajul-in shuja'-in, fa'ala... (As a brave man, he did...).

Exactly! The Ma turns the preposition into something that can handle verbs. It's like a grammar adapter.

That's an eloquent simile where the particle is dropped entirely! Instead of Huwa ka-l-asad (He is like a lion), you say Huwa asad (He is a lion).

Absolutely. Ka-Muhammad-in (Like Muhammad). It implies the person shares qualities with that specific individual.

You can add tamaman (completely) after the phrase. Mithluhu tamaman or Ka-l-asli tamaman.

Rarely. Dialects prefer Zayy, Mitl, or Sherwat. Ka is a hallmark of Standard Arabic.

Yes. Shay'un mithlun isn't common, but Mithl is often part of a phrase acting as an adjective.

Then you made a mistake! Unless the word is 'diptote' (Mamnu' min al-sarf), which takes Fatha instead of Kasra in the genitive. E.g., Ka-Ahmada.

In formal speech or reading Quran/poetry, yes. In casual MSA conversation, people might swallow the final vowel, but the grammar remains true.

Sometimes contextually, but usually hawalay or taqriban is better for 'approximately'. Ka implies shared quality.

Fully declinable (Mu'rab). Ja'a mithlu... (nom), Ra'aytu mithla... (acc), Bi-mithli... (gen).

It means 'likewise' or 'also'. Literal breakdown: Ka (like) + Dhalika (that). 'Like that'.

It appears in the Quran (Laysa ka-mithlihi shay'), but in modern Arabic, it's redundant. Pick one.

Ka is the darling of poets. It flows better and keeps the rhythm (meter) tight.

Use Kama: Kama zhanantu. Ka doesn't work here because zhanantu is a verb.

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