1

في الفصل

The Mechanics of Case and Form

القاعدة 1 من 5 في هذا الفصل
C1 case_system 4 دقيقة للقراءة

The Case and Usage

Cases are functional tags that liberate word order; look at the ending to find the doer, not the position.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Nominative (Marfu') is for the Doer/Topic.
  • Accusative (Mansub) is for Details/Objects.
  • Genitive (Majrur) is for Possession/Prepositions.
  • Diptotes break the rules in Genitive.

Quick Reference

Case Role Arabic Name Main Function Vowel Marker (Sg.)
Nominative Marfu' Subject / Topic u / un (Damma)
Accusative Mansub Object / Adverb / State a / an (Fatha)
Genitive Majrur After Preposition / Possession i / in (Kasra)
Diptotes (Gen) Mamnu' min al-sarf After Preposition a (Fatha) [Exception!]
Dual (Nom) Muthanna Subject (2 things) -ani
Plural (Nom) Jam' Mudhakkar Subject (Group) -una

أمثلة رئيسية

3 من 10
1

Jā'a al-mudīru ilā al-maktabi mubtasiman.

The manager came to the office smiling.

2

Ra'aytu abāka fī al-hadīqati.

I saw your father in the garden.

3

Inna al-muwazzafīna mujtahidūna.

Indeed, the employees are hardworking.

🎯

The 'Al' Protection

Diptotes hate Kasra, BUT if you add `Al-` (The) to them, they surrender and accept the Kasra. `Fi masajida` (indefinite) vs. `Fi al-masajidi` (definite). It's like the `Al-` acts as a shield.

💬

Poetic License

In Quranic recitation and poetry, the case endings define the rhythm. You can't rap in Arabic without knowing your I'rab.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Nominative (Marfu') is for the Doer/Topic.
  • Accusative (Mansub) is for Details/Objects.
  • Genitive (Majrur) is for Possession/Prepositions.
  • Diptotes break the rules in Genitive.

Overview

Welcome to the matrix of Arabic grammar. At C1, you know the basics: subject is up (Marfu'), object is down (Mansub), and possessive is low (Majrur). But let's be real—textbooks make this sound like a rigid math equation. In reality, *I'rab* (the case system) is more like a musical score. It tells you *how* to play the note, not just what note it is. It adds emotional texture and precision. If you master this, you stop sounding like a robot translating from English and start flowing like a poet. Or at least like a very articulate news anchor.

How This Grammar Works

Think of the three cases as roles in a movie production.

  • Nominative (Marfu'): The Actors. These are the heavy hitters—the Subject (Fa'il) or the Topic (Mubtada'). They drive the action. They get the u sound (Damma) because they stand tall.
  • Accusative (Mansub): The Details. This is the lighting, the special effects, the time, the place, the description. This is where the magic happens. Most "extra" info in Arabic falls here. It gets the a sound (Fatha) because it's open and expansive.
  • Genitive (Majrur): The Connectors. These words are always being pulled by something else—either a preposition or another noun (possession). They get the i sound (Kasra) because they are being dragged down or connected.

Formation Pattern

  1. 1Let's break down the default markers, but remember the sneaky exceptions (we see you, Diptotes).
  2. 2The Default:
  3. 3Up: u / un (Damma)
  4. 4Open: a / an (Fatha)
  5. 5Down: i / in (Kasra)
  6. 6The Dual: The power of two.
  7. 7Up: ani
  8. 8Open/Down: ayni
  9. 9The Masculine Plural: The group.
  10. 10Up: una
  11. 11Open/Down: ina
  12. 12The Five Nouns: Dad, Brother, Father-in-law, Mouth, Possessor.
  13. 13Up: u (Abu)
  14. 14Open: a (Aba)
  15. 15Down: i (Abi)

When To Use It

Use strict case endings when you want to avoid ambiguity. In English, word order is king. "The dog bit the man" is different from "The man bit the dog." In Arabic, you can swap the order! Akala al-kalbu ar-rajula (The dog ate the man). Akala ar-rajula al-kalbu (STILL The dog ate the man, even though the man came first). Why? Because al-kalbu has the Damma. It's the doer. Use this flexibility for emphasis. Put the object first to shock your listener. "The man, the dog ate!"

When Not To Use It

Don't obsess over vocalizing every single ending in casual speech (Ammiya). It sounds weirdly formal, like wearing a tuxedo to a beach party. However, in MSA (Modern Standard Arabic), you absolutely need it for clarity in complex sentences. Also, pause forms (Waqf) mean you usually drop the final vowel when you stop speaking. Silence is golden.

Common Mistakes

  • The Diptote Trap: Words like Masajid (Mosques) or Ahmar (Red) are allergic to Kasra. In the Genitive, they take a Fatha! Fi Masajida (In mosques), not Masajidi. It feels wrong, I know. It's the grammatical equivalent of stepping on a crack in the sidewalk.
  • The "Inna" Reversal: Remember Inna and her sisters flip the script. The Topic becomes Mansub. Beginners switch this constantly. Inna al-jawwa jamilun, not Inna al-jawwu.
  • The "Kana" Reversal: Kana does the opposite. The Predicate becomes Mansub. Kana al-jawwu jamilan. Mixing these up is the #1 way to spot a non-native speaker.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

English uses pronouns to show case (I vs. Me vs. My). Arabic applies this to *every single noun*. Also, contrast standard nouns with "The Five Nouns" (al-Asma' al-Khamsa). Most nouns change vowels; these guys change entire long vowels. It's like upgrading from a pistol to a cannon. Abu becomes Aba becomes Abi. Huge difference in sound, same logic.

Quick FAQ

Q. Do I really need this for reading?

A. Yes! Without it, you can't tell if the "man" hit the "boy" or vice versa in poetry.

Q. Why do some words never change?

A. Those are "Mabni" (Indeclinable). Words like Hadha (This) or Alladhi (Who). They are stubborn rocks in the river of grammar. They have a "place" in the case system, but they refuse to wear the uniform.

Reference Table

Case Role Arabic Name Main Function Vowel Marker (Sg.)
Nominative Marfu' Subject / Topic u / un (Damma)
Accusative Mansub Object / Adverb / State a / an (Fatha)
Genitive Majrur After Preposition / Possession i / in (Kasra)
Diptotes (Gen) Mamnu' min al-sarf After Preposition a (Fatha) [Exception!]
Dual (Nom) Muthanna Subject (2 things) -ani
Plural (Nom) Jam' Mudhakkar Subject (Group) -una
🎯

The 'Al' Protection

Diptotes hate Kasra, BUT if you add `Al-` (The) to them, they surrender and accept the Kasra. `Fi masajida` (indefinite) vs. `Fi al-masajidi` (definite). It's like the `Al-` acts as a shield.

💬

Poetic License

In Quranic recitation and poetry, the case endings define the rhythm. You can't rap in Arabic without knowing your I'rab.

⚠️

The Pausal Form

Don't pronounce the last vowel if you stop the sentence! It sounds robotic. `Jamilun.` -> `Jamil.` Only pronounce it if you are continuing to the next word.

💡

The Default Setting

If you are completely panicked and don't know the case, guess Marfu' (Damma). It's the 'default' state of a noun before grammar messes with it. You'll be right 40% of the time, which is better than nothing.

أمثلة

10
#1 جاءَ المُديرُ إلى المكتبِ مُبتَسِماً

Jā'a al-mudīru ilā al-maktabi mubtasiman.

Focus: mubtasiman

The manager came to the office smiling.

Standard structure showing all three cases.

#2 رأيتُ أباكَ في الحديقةِ

Ra'aytu abāka fī al-hadīqati.

Focus: abāka

I saw your father in the garden.

Five Nouns example - 'Aba' takes Alif for Accusative.

#3 إنَّ الموظفينَ مُجتهدونَ

Inna al-muwazzafīna mujtahidūna.

Focus: al-muwazzafīna

Indeed, the employees are hardworking.

Plural endings: 'Inna' makes the first part Mansub (-ina).

#4 سافرتُ إلى مساجدَ كثيرةٍ

Sāfartu ilā masājida kathīratin.

Focus: masājida

I traveled to many mosques.

Diptote edge case! 'Masajida' is Genitive but takes Fatha.

#5 لا رجلَ في الدارِ

Lā rajula fī ad-dāri.

Focus: rajula

There is absolutely no man in the house.

Absolute negation (La an-nafiyah) forces a specific Accusative without Tanween.

#6 زارني محمدٌ (✗) -> زارني محمدًا (✓ - mistake if object)

Mistake: Zārani Muhammadun (Subject) vs Zurtu Muhammadan (Object)

Focus: Muhammadan

Mistake: 'Muhammad' as subject when he should be object.

Use 'an' when he is the one being visited.

#7 مررتُ بمدارسٍ (✗) -> مررتُ بمدارسَ (✓)

Mistake: Marartu bi-madārisin -> Marartu bi-madārisa.

Focus: madārisa

Diptotes never take Tanween (the 'n' sound)!

#8 يا عبدَ اللهِ، تعالَ هنا

Yā 'Abda Allāhi, ta'āla hunā.

Focus: 'Abda

O Abdullah (Servant of Allah), come here.

Vocative case with Idafa (possessive) forces Accusative.

#9 اشتريتُ عشرينَ كتاباً

Ishtaraytu 'ishrīna kitāban.

Focus: kitāban

I bought twenty books.

Specification (Tamyiz) after numbers is always Mansub.

#10 كانَ الجوُّ بارداً جداً

Kāna al-jawwu bāridan jiddan.

Focus: bāridan

The weather was very cold.

Kana makes the predicate Accusative.

اختبر نفسك

Choose the correct ending for the subject of 'Kana'.

كان ___ُ نائماً في الغرفة.

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: الطفلُ (at-tiflu)

The noun (Ism) of Kana remains Nominative (Marfu'), so it needs a Damma.

Identify the correct form for the object.

شاهدتُ ___ في السوق.

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

This is one of the Five Nouns serving as an Object (Mansub), so it takes an Alif.

Select the correct Diptote ending in a prepositional phrase.

سافرتُ إلى ___ بعيدة.

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

'Amākin' is a diptote (plural pattern). In Genitive position, it takes Fatha and NO Tanween.

🎉 النتيجة: /3

وسائل تعلم بصرية

The Big Switch: Inna vs. Kana

Inna (Emphasis)
Inna ar-rajula... Topic = Mansub (a)
...karimun Pred = Marfu' (u)
Kana (Past/Was)
Kana ar-rajulu... Topic = Marfu' (u)
...kariman Pred = Mansub (a)

Diptote Detector

1

Is the word Majrur (Genitive)?

YES ↓
NO
Follow normal rules
2

Is it a 'Forbidden' pattern (e.g. Masajid)?

YES ↓
NO
Use Kasra (i)
3

Does it have 'Al-' or an Idafa after it?

YES ↓
NO
Use Fatha (a)!
4

If YES (Defined)...

YES ↓
NO
5

Stop! The ban is lifted.

YES ↓
NO
Use Kasra (i)

The Mansub Family (The 'Details')

🎯

Maf'ul Bihi

  • • Direct Object
  • • What happened?
😎

Hal (State)

  • • Adverbial State
  • • How was he?
📍

Zarf (Place/Time)

  • • Where/When
  • • Front/Back/Today
⚖️

Tamyiz

  • • Clarification
  • • Kilo of 'Apples'

الأسئلة الشائعة

20 أسئلة

I'rab is the system of changing the end of a word to show its function. Think of it like color-coding: Red for subject, Blue for object, Green for possession.

Female proper names ending in Ta-Marbuta are Diptotes! They are 'Mamnu' min al-sarf'. So you say Li-Fatimata (For Fatima), not Fatimati. Classy, right?

Look for the vowel! The Subject has the Damma (u), and the Object has the Fatha (a). Daraba Zaydun Amran means Zayd hit Amr. Daraba Zaydan Amrun means Amr hit Zayd.

Barely. Dialects dropped most case endings centuries ago to speed things up. You rely on word order there. But in formal speech (MSA), it's mandatory.

It's the 'n' sound at the end (un, an, in). It basically means 'a' or 'an' (indefinite). If you add Al- (The), the Tanween runs away. You can't have both!

Because it's one of the Five Nouns! They are special VIPs that change their long vowel. Abu (Subject), Aba (Object), Abi (Possessive).

You might accidentally say 'The cookie ate the boy'. People will probably understand you from context, but it sounds funny.

Probably the Accusative (Mansub) because SO many things fall into it: Objects, Adverbs, Time, Place, State, Reason. It's the 'catch-all' bucket.

Yes! The Fa'il (Doer) and the Mubtada (Topic) are born Marfu'. Unless a particle like Inna comes along to bully them.

Foreign names are usually Diptotes. Fi Landana (In London), not Landani.

It describes the *state* of the doer while doing the action. 'He came *running*'. In Arabic, 'running' (rakidan) would be Mansub.

Never. Prepositions are powerful. They ALWAYS force the next word into the Genitive (Majrur/Kasra).

Good spot. These are 'Maqsur' nouns. The vowels are hidden (estimated). You just pretend the change happened. It's invisible I'rab.

Present tense verbs do! They can be Marfu', Mansub, or Majzum (Jussive). Past tense verbs are frozen in time (Mabni).

Calling someone (Ya Zayd). Usually, it's Marfu' without Tanween (Ya Zaydu), but if it's a complex name like Abdullah, it becomes Mansub (Ya Abda-Allah).

It's a Sound Masculine Plural. The waw (-una) is the sign of being Marfu'. The Accusative/Genitive version is Muslimina.

Yes, they are treated as singular feminine! Al-kutub (The books) takes singular adjectives. Al-kutub al-jadidatu.

It clarifies ambiguity, often after numbers or comparisons. 'I have 20...' (20 what?) -> '...Kitaban' (Books). Always Mansub.

90% logic, 10% memorization (for the weird exceptions). Once you see the 'slots' in the sentence, it clicks.

Read fully vocalized texts (like children's books or the Quran) and try to explain *why* each vowel is there.

هل كان هذا مفيداً؟
التالي
Accusative State:

تعلّم هذه أولاً

فهم هذه المفاهيم سيساعدك على إتقان هذه القاعدة النحوية.

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