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Actions and Results: Nouns and Passives
Passive Participles as N
To describe the result of an action on a 3-letter root, use the `maf'ool` pattern.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Pattern is `ma-`-1-2-`oo`-3 (`maf'ool`).
- Means 'done to' (written, broken).
- Acts like an adjective.
- Must agree in gender/number.
Quick Reference
| Root Meaning | Root Letters | Passive Pattern | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| To write | K - T - B | Ma-K-T-oo-B | Written (Destiny) |
| To open | F - T - H | Ma-F-T-oo-H | Open |
| To break | K - S - R | Ma-K-S-oo-R | Broken |
| To know | 3 - R - F | Ma-3-R-oo-F | Known / Famous |
| To drink | Sh - R - B | Ma-Sh-R-oo-B | Drink (noun) |
| To allow | S - M - H | Ma-S-M-oo-H | Allowed |
Exemplos-chave
3 de 8البابُ مفتوحٌ.
The door is open.
أنا مشغولٌ اليوم.
I am busy today.
هذا الكرسي مكسور.
This chair is broken.
The 'Ma-' Magnet
If you hear a word starting with 'Ma-' and it has a long 'oo' sound later, it's 99% likely a passive participle describing an object. Spotting this pattern is a superpower.
It is Written
The word `Maktoob` means 'written', but in Arab culture, it often means 'Destiny' or 'Fate'—as in, it is written by God and cannot be changed.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Pattern is `ma-`-1-2-`oo`-3 (`maf'ool`).
- Means 'done to' (written, broken).
- Acts like an adjective.
- Must agree in gender/number.
Overview
Passive participles are the secret sauce of Arabic descriptions. They describe the object that received an action. Think of English words ending in "-ed" or "-en" like "broken," "eaten," or "written." In Arabic, these follow a super catchy rhythm. If you want to say something is "open," "closed," or even "crazy," you need this pattern. It turns a verb root into an adjective describing the result.
How This Grammar Works
Arabic loves roots (usually 3 letters). To make a passive participle, we pour these three letters into a mold called the maf'ool (مفعول) pattern. This pattern implies that something has been done to the object. It’s static. It describes a state.
Formation Pattern
- 1Let's bake a word using the standard 3-letter root mold.
- 2Take your root letters. Example: K-T-B (to write).
- 3Add a
m-(mim with fatha) to the very front. - 4Add an
-oo-(waw) before the final letter. - 5Result:
m+ k + t +oo+ b =maktoob(written).
When To Use It
Use this when you want to describe the state of an object or person resulting from an action.
- Describing objects: "The door is
maftooh" (open). - Describing status: "This seat is
mashghool" (occupied/busy). - Describing rules: "Smoking is
mamnoo'" (forbidden).
It works just like an adjective, so it must agree in gender. If the door is a window (naafidha, feminine), it becomes maftooha.
When Not To Use It
Don't use this if you are doing the action.
- I am opening (Active) ≠ I am opened (Passive).
- Also, don't use it for past tense verbs.
kataba(he wrote) is an action.maktoob(written) is the state of the letter afterwards.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with the Active Participle (the doer).
Kaatibis the writer;Maktoobis the letter. - Forgetting the gender. If you are a woman saying "I am busy," you must say "Ana
mashghoola," notmashghool. - Applying it to irregular verbs blindly. We're sticking to strong 3-letter roots here. Weak roots (roots with vowels) get a bit weird, but don't worry about them yet.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
- Active Participle (
faa'il): The doer.Daaris(studying/student). - Passive Participle (
maf'ool): The receiver.Madroos(studied).
Think of it like a transaction: The kaatib (writer) creates the maktoob (book).
Quick FAQ
Q: Is this a verb?
No, grammatically it acts like a noun or adjective.
Q: Can I make it plural?
Yes! Just add normal plural endings (maftooh -> maftooh-een or maftooh-aat).
Q: Does it work for slang?
Totally. Ma'qool (reasonable/logical) is used constantly in chats.
Reference Table
| Root Meaning | Root Letters | Passive Pattern | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| To write | K - T - B | Ma-K-T-oo-B | Written (Destiny) |
| To open | F - T - H | Ma-F-T-oo-H | Open |
| To break | K - S - R | Ma-K-S-oo-R | Broken |
| To know | 3 - R - F | Ma-3-R-oo-F | Known / Famous |
| To drink | Sh - R - B | Ma-Sh-R-oo-B | Drink (noun) |
| To allow | S - M - H | Ma-S-M-oo-H | Allowed |
The 'Ma-' Magnet
If you hear a word starting with 'Ma-' and it has a long 'oo' sound later, it's 99% likely a passive participle describing an object. Spotting this pattern is a superpower.
It is Written
The word `Maktoob` means 'written', but in Arab culture, it often means 'Destiny' or 'Fate'—as in, it is written by God and cannot be changed.
People can be objects too
Don't be scared to use these for people. `Mahboob` means 'beloved' (someone who is loved). You are describing their state of being loved.
The 'Not' Rule
To make these negative, just add `ghayr` (non/un) or `mish` (dialect not) before them. `Ghayr ma'qool` = Unreasonable.
Exemplos
8البابُ مفتوحٌ.
Focus: maftooh
The door is open.
Standard usage for a state.
أنا مشغولٌ اليوم.
Focus: mashghool
I am busy today.
Used for people occupying their time.
هذا الكرسي مكسور.
Focus: maksoor
This chair is broken.
Physical state of damage.
التدخين ممنوع هنا.
Focus: mamnoo'
Smoking is forbidden here.
Common on signs.
هي مشهورة جداً.
Focus: mashhoora
She is very famous (known).
Feminine agreement added (-a).
يدي مكسورة.
Focus: maksoora
My hand is broken.
Correction: The hand is the broken object, not 'I'.
هل هو مجنون؟
Focus: majnoon
Is he crazy?
Lit: Possessed by Jinn.
هذا غير معقول!
Focus: ma'qool
That is unreasonable/unbelievable!
Used to express shock.
Teste-se
Choose the correct word for 'The window is open' (Al-naafidha ___).
النافذة ___.
Window (naafidha) is feminine, so the adjective must have the feminine marker (-a).
Complete the phrase: 'It is written' (Huwa ___).
هو ___.
Maktoob fits the passive pattern 'written'. Kitaab is book, Yaktub is he writes.
Select the word for 'Busy': 'I am ___'.
أنا ___.
Mashghool follows the pattern for 'occupied/busy'.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Recursos visuais
Doer vs. Receiver
Is it a Passive Participle?
Does it start with 'Ma-'?
Does it have 'oo' before the last letter?
Is it describing a receiver?
Match found!
Common Daily Uses
Status
- • Mashghool (Busy)
- • Mawjood (Present/Here)
Rules
- • Mamnoo' (Forbidden)
- • Masmooh (Allowed)
Conditions
- • Maksoor (Broken)
- • Maftooh (Open)
Qualities
- • Mashhoor (Famous)
- • Mahboob (Beloved)
Perguntas frequentes
20 perguntasIt's a word that describes the person or thing that received an action. If you break a chair, the chair is maksoor (broken).
Because the subject isn't doing anything; it's just sitting there having things done to it. It's the receiver, not the doer.
It works for most 3-letter verbs (Form I). Bigger verbs (like 'participate') have a slightly different pattern (starts with mu-), but master this one first!
Just add the 'ta-marbuta' (ة) sound at the end. Maftooh becomes Maftooha.
Yes! Mashroob literally means 'drunk' (past participle), but we use it as the noun for 'a drink' or 'beverage'.
Maftooh (open) and Mashghool (busy/occupied) are top tier. You'll use them daily.
Grammatically, yes! It comes from the root J-N-N (to cover/hide). It implies someone 'possessed' or 'covered' by Jinn. Spooky, right?
Past tense is an action: 'He broke it' (Kasara). Passive participle is the result: 'It is broken' (Maksoor).
Absolutely. Egyptian, Levantine, and Gulf dialects use this pattern constantly, often without changing it at all.
Ah, the 'hollow' verbs. They get a bit tricky (like baa' -> mabee'). For A1, stick to the strong consonants like K-T-B or D-R-S.
That means 'I am open', which sounds weird unless you're emotionally vulnerable or... a shop. Better to say 'I am frank' (sareeh).
It comes from W-J-D (to find). So it literally means 'found', but we use it to mean 'present', 'available', or 'existing'.
Yes! From F-H-M (understand). Mafhoom means 'understood'. You can say it to confirm you get the point.
Use Masmooh. It comes from S-M-H (to permit).
Use Mamnoo'. From M-N-3 (to prevent/ban).
Yes, English uses '-ed' (bored, tired) or irregulars (broken, seen). Arabic just uses a pattern instead of suffixes.
It means 'known' or a 'favor/kindness'. As an adjective, it means 'well-known' or 'famous'.
Yup. Mawjood (singular) -> Mawjoodeen (plural/people present).
ma-1-2-oo-3. MA-fuh-OOL. Clap it out!
Yes! Majhool means 'unknown' or 'anonymous'. It's also the Arabic word for the Passive Voice itself!
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