thoughtTamyiz: Spec
Tamyiz answers 'in terms of what?' by putting the specifying noun into the indefinite accusative case.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Clarifies vague numbers, amounts, or comparisons.
- Always Indefinite and Mansub (-an ending).
- Used after numbers 11-99 (singular noun).
- Used after superlatives (better *in* X).
Quick Reference
| Trigger Category | Example Word | Tamyiz Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numbers 11-99 | khamsūna (50) | dīnāran | 50 dinars |
| Superlative | aktharu (more) | sa'ādatan | More in happiness |
| Measurement | kilo | mozan | A kilo of bananas |
| Verb (Fullness) | imtala'a (filled) | ghayzan | Filled with rage |
| Verb (Change) | tatawwara (developed) | sukkanan | Developed in population |
| Exclamation | yā lahu (oh him!) | batalan | What a hero! |
Exemplos-chave
3 de 9Ishtaraytu 'ishrīna qalaman lil-imtiḥān.
I bought twenty pens for the exam.
Al-Qāhiratu aktharu al-muduni izdiḥāman.
Cairo is the most crowded of cities (literally: most of cities in crowdedness).
Ṭāba al-makānu hawā'an ba'da al-maṭar.
The place became pleasant in air after the rain.
The 'Min' Trick
If you're unsure if a word is Tamyiz, try adding 'min' (of/from) before it mentally. 'Ring of gold' -> 'Ring (from) gold'. If it makes sense, it's likely Tamyiz material!
The 3-10 Trap
Don't use Tamyiz (singular accusative) for numbers 3-10. They demand a plural genitive. 5 books is 'khamsat kutub', NOT 'khamsat kitaban'.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Clarifies vague numbers, amounts, or comparisons.
- Always Indefinite and Mansub (-an ending).
- Used after numbers 11-99 (singular noun).
- Used after superlatives (better *in* X).
Overview
Tamyiz (التمييز) is your linguistic scalpel. It slices through ambiguity and specifies exactly *what* you mean when a statement is too vague. Imagine saying, "I have thirty." Thirty what? Cars? Cats? Headaches? Tamyiz steps in to say "books" (kitāban). It answers the golden question: "In terms of what?" or "Of what exactly?" At the C1 level, it moves beyond just weighing vegetables; it’s essential for eloquent comparisons and describing abstract changes.
How This Grammar Works
Tamyiz acts as a fixed clarifier. It doesn't describe the *state* of the subject (like "happy" or "fast"), but rather the *nature* or *substance* of a vague word or phrase. There are two main flavors:
- 1Single Word Spec (Tamyiz Dhat): Clarifies a specific vague word like a number (11-99) or a measurement (kilo, meter, cup).
- 2Sentence Spec (Tamyiz Nisbah): This is the cool, advanced part. It clarifies a vague *idea* or *relation* in a sentence. For example, "He exploded" is dramatic, but "He exploded *in anger*" (
ghadaban) is specific.
Formation Pattern
- 1The rule is refreshingly consistent: Tamyiz is always Mansub (Accusative).
- 2Take the clarifying noun (e.g.,
jamāl- beauty). - 3Make it indefinite (remove
al-). - 4Add the Tanwin Fatha (
-an) to the end. - 5
jamāl→jamālan - 6
māl→mālan - 7
sana→sanatan
When To Use It
- After Numbers 11-99: This is non-negotiable.
khamsata 'ashara(15) needs a singular, mansub noun after it.khamsata 'ashara qalaman(15 pens). - After Comparisons (Superlatives): When using the
af'alpattern (likeakthar,ajmal,aqwa). "I am more than you... *in what?*" → "in age" (sinnan). - After Verbs of Increase/Fill: Verbs like
izdāda(increased),imtala'a(filled),fāḍa(overflowed),kabura(grew big). "The cup filled... *with water*" (mā'an). - Measurements: Kilos, liters, meters.
litr halīban(a liter of milk).
When Not To Use It
- Don't use it with numbers 3-10 (those take plural Majrur). Save Tamyiz for the teens and up (11-99).
- Don't use it if the noun is definite (with
al-). Tamyiz is an indefinite soul. - Don't confuse it with an Adjective. An adjective matches the noun (definite/indefinite). Tamyiz never matches; it stays indefinite.
Common Mistakes
- The Case Crash: Saying
akthar māl(genitive/majrur) instead ofakthar mālan(accusative/mansub). It sounds like "more of money" vs the correct "more *in terms of* money." - The Number Mix-up: Using plural nouns with 11-99. It's
'ishrūn kitāban(20 book), notkutuban(books). Yes, Arabic logic is unique here—20 "book"! - Confusing with Hal:
Haldescribes a temporary state (smiling).Tamyizdescribes the substance (age, weight). "He grew *tall*" (Adjective/Hal depending on syntax) vs "He grew *in stature*" (Tamyiz).
Contrast With Similar Patterns
Think of the Hal (State) as a mood ring—it changes (happy, running, sitting). Think of Tamyiz as the ingredient label—it tells you what something *is* (gold, wood, anger, years). Also, compare with Mudaf Ilayh (Possession). You can say "cup of tea" as kūb shāy (Mudaf combo) OR kūb shāyan (Tamyiz). The Tamyiz version stresses the *measurement* of the cup, while the Mudaf version stresses the *object* itself.
Quick FAQ
Q. Can Tamyiz ever be plural?
A. In the standard rule for numbers 11-99 and comparisons? No, keep it singular.
Q. Is it always indefinite?
A. Yes. If you see an al-, run away. It's not Tamyiz.
Reference Table
| Trigger Category | Example Word | Tamyiz Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numbers 11-99 | khamsūna (50) | dīnāran | 50 dinars |
| Superlative | aktharu (more) | sa'ādatan | More in happiness |
| Measurement | kilo | mozan | A kilo of bananas |
| Verb (Fullness) | imtala'a (filled) | ghayzan | Filled with rage |
| Verb (Change) | tatawwara (developed) | sukkanan | Developed in population |
| Exclamation | yā lahu (oh him!) | batalan | What a hero! |
The 'Min' Trick
If you're unsure if a word is Tamyiz, try adding 'min' (of/from) before it mentally. 'Ring of gold' -> 'Ring (from) gold'. If it makes sense, it's likely Tamyiz material!
The 3-10 Trap
Don't use Tamyiz (singular accusative) for numbers 3-10. They demand a plural genitive. 5 books is 'khamsat kutub', NOT 'khamsat kitaban'.
Eloquent Insults
Arabs love using Tamyiz for dramatic flair. 'You are the poorest *in manners*' (`afqaru adaban`) hits much harder than just saying 'you are rude'.
The 'How' vs 'What' Test
Ask 'How?' -> The answer is Hal (smiling). Ask 'In what way?' -> The answer is Tamyiz (age, rank).
Exemplos
9Ishtaraytu 'ishrīna qalaman lil-imtiḥān.
Focus: qalaman
I bought twenty pens for the exam.
Standard usage with numbers 11-99.
Al-Qāhiratu aktharu al-muduni izdiḥāman.
Focus: izdiḥāman
Cairo is the most crowded of cities (literally: most of cities in crowdedness).
Superlative usage - very common in media/news.
Ṭāba al-makānu hawā'an ba'da al-maṭar.
Focus: hawā'an
The place became pleasant in air after the rain.
Transferred Tamyiz: Originally 'The air of the place became pleasant'.
Fajjarnā al-arḍa 'uyūnan.
Focus: 'uyūnan
We caused the earth to gush forth with springs.
Quranic/High Literary style. Specifying the action of gushing.
Lā amliku shibran arḍan.
Focus: arḍan
I don't own a span of land.
Measurement usage. Specifying what the 'span' consists of.
Hādhā al-shābbu akbaru minka sinn (Wrong)
Focus: ✗ sinn
This young man is older than you.
Mistake: Genitive case used. Must be accusative.
Hādhā al-shābbu akbaru minka sinnan (Correct)
Focus: ✓ sinnan
This young man is older than you (in age).
Correct usage: Mansub case.
Kaburat kalimatan takhruju min afwāhihim.
Focus: kalimatan
Grave is the word that comes out of their mouths.
Advanced: Used to express shock/magnitude regarding the 'word'.
Izdāda al-ṭālibu 'ilman wa adaban.
Focus: 'ilman
The student increased in knowledge and manners.
Verb of increase (izdāda) is a classic Tamyiz trigger.
Teste-se
Choose the correct ending for the specifying word.
أَنَا أَكْثَرُ مِنْكَ ___ (māl)
After a comparative/superlative like 'akthar', the specifying noun must be Tamyiz (Mansub/Accusative).
Complete the sentence with the correct number form.
فِي الفَصْلِ ثَلاثُونَ ___ (tālib)
Numbers 20-90 (multiples of ten) act like 11-99: they take a singular, accusative Tamyiz.
Select the correct word to clarify the verb.
امْتَلَأَ القَلْبُ ___ (surūr)
Tamyiz must be indefinite. 'Al-surūra' is definite (has Al-), so it cannot be Tamyiz here.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Recursos visuais
Tamyiz vs. Hal (The Showdown)
Is it Tamyiz?
Is the noun Indefinite & Mansub?
Does it follow a Number (11-99) or Measurement?
Does it answer 'In terms of what?' after a comparison/change?
The Four Triggers
Numbers
- • 11 to 99
- • Singular Noun
Amounts
- • Kilo / Liter
- • Cup / Box
Superlatives
- • Af'al Pattern
- • Most / Best
Change Verbs
- • Increase / Grow
- • Fill / Overflow
Perguntas frequentes
20 perguntasIt comes from the root m-y-z, meaning to distinguish or discriminate. It distinguishes the intended meaning from all other possibilities.
Yes, standard Tamyiz is always Mansub (-an). Sometimes, with measurements, you can use min + Genitive, but that technically changes the grammatical structure.
No. Tamyiz is strictly indefinite. If you add al-, it becomes something else (like an Adjective or Badāl).
It sounds broken to a native ear, like saying 'twenty cats' as 'twenty cattles'. Stick to the singular form (qalaman, not aqlāman).
No! This is the best part. The Tamyiz noun usually ignores the gender of the subject. It stays in its own form.
Rarely, and mostly in poetry. In standard Arabic, keep it after the ambiguous word or sentence it clarifies.
Look for an indefinite word with Tanwin Fatha that isn't the direct object. If it explains 'aspect', it's Tamyiz.
Izdāda (increase), imtala'a (fill), kabura (grow big), kfa (suffice), and tāba (be pleasant/good).
Yes, if you say kilo tufaahan. If you say kilo tufaahin (genitive), it's a Mudaf construction. Both meanings are identical.
Because it's subjective! Better in tennis? In cooking? Tamyiz (tennisan... wait, la'ban - playing) provides the necessary context.
No. Proper nouns are definite by nature. Tamyiz must be indefinite.
It means 'implied' or 'noticed' Tamyiz. It clarifies a full sentence (e.g., 'The fire blazed') rather than a single word (e.g., 'a liter').
Extensively! It's used for vivid imagery, like 'bursting *with springs*' or 'burning *with gray hair*'.
Not really. Dialects usually drop the -an ending. They rely on context or saying 'in terms of X'.
It still takes Fatha, but you don't add the extra Alif. Sanatan (year), not Sanataan.
Yes! Izdāda wajhuhu iḥmirāran (His face increased *in redness*).
Close, but no. Adverbs describe action (fast, tomorrow). Tamyiz describes *substance* or *scope*.
Nope. You just use the noun itself (One book = kitābun wāḥidun). No Tamyiz needed.
It's awkward but possible: 'He increased *in wealth* and *status*'. Usually, we use 'wa' (and) to list them.
Remembering to use the singular form for numbers 11-99. Your brain wants to pluralize '99 problems', but Arabic wants '99 problem'.
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