Persian-Arabic Morphological Patterns

Arabic words usually have a three-letter root.

We call this the triliteral root system.

Take the letters K-T-B for example.

These letters relate to the concept of writing.

By adding specific vowels, you change the meaning.

Persian works a bit differently than Arabic.

It relies more on prefixes and suffixes.

It feels more like building with Lego blocks.

You take a base word and snap on a part.

Together, these influences create high-register Hindi.

You will find these words in news and poetry.

They also dominate legal and official documents.

Learning these patterns gives you a linguistic superpower.

1. 1Identify the three-letter Arabic root (e.g., S-L-M).
2. 2Apply a standard template or 'Wazn'.
3. 3For a 'place' noun, add the prefix ma-.
4. 4S-L-M becomes masjid (a place of prostration).
5. 5For an 'agent' noun, use the Fa-il pattern.
6. 6K-T-B becomes katib (a writer).
7. 7For Persian abstract nouns, add -iyat.
8. 8insan (human) becomes insaniyat (humanity).
9. 9For Persian adjectives of possession, add -dar.
10. 10imandaar (honest) literally means 'possessing faith'.

Use these patterns in formal job interviews.

Words like qabiliyat (ability) sound very professional.

Use them when writing formal emails or letters.

They are essential for reading Hindi literature.

If you are watching a Bollywood period drama, listen closely.

The characters will use these patterns constantly.

They add a layer of sophistication to your speech.

It shows you respect the language's history.

Use them when discussing abstract concepts like 'justice' or 'science'.

Do not use high-flown patterns at the grocery store.

Ordering eggs using 19th-century poetic forms is awkward.

Avoid them in very casual text messages with friends.

You might sound like a walking textbook.

If the Sanskrit-derived word is more common, use that.

For example, use pyaar instead of ishq in daily life.

Do not force these patterns into every sentence.

Balance is the key to natural-sounding Hindi.

Many people double-pluralize these words.

akhbar is already the plural of khabar.

Saying akhbaron is technically redundant but common.

Another mistake is mixing Persian and Sanskrit suffixes.

Stick to one 'family' within a single complex word.

Misplacing the 'nuqta' (the dot under letters) is common.

It changes khana (room) to khana (to eat).

Wait, that is actually a classic learner's trap!

Don't worry; your meaning is usually clear from context.

Sanskrit patterns (Tatsam) use different logic.

Sanskrit uses 'Sandhi' to join words together.

Arabic patterns use 'internal' changes to the root.

Persian is more linear and modular than Arabic.

Sanskrit-derived words often feel more 'academic' or 'spiritual'.

Persian-Arabic words often feel more 'administrative' or 'romantic'.

Knowing both allows you to code-switch effectively.

You can choose the 'flavor' of your Hindi.