Hollow Verbs Introduction (الأجوف)

Every Arabic verb has a three-letter root. In a hollow verb, the middle letter is usually a waw or a yaa. However, when you look at the verb in its basic past tense form (the "he" form), that middle letter looks like an alif. For example, the root of "to say" is q-w-l. But we write it as qaala. The middle waw has transformed into an alif. This alif is like a chameleon. It changes depending on what is happening around it. When you conjugate the verb, that middle vowel might stay as an alif, or it might disappear entirely. It is a bit of a disappearing act! The rule is actually quite logical. Arabic does not like having two "silent" or "stopped" sounds in a row. When you add a suffix that starts with a consonant (like tu for "I"), the middle vowel has to pack its bags and leave. This keeps the word easy to pronounce. Think of it as a grammar traffic light. The red light tells the long vowel to stop and get out of the way.

1. 1Let's break down how to build these verbs in the past tense. It is a two-step process.
2. 2Identify the root. Is the middle hidden letter a waw or a yaa? For qaala, it is a waw. For ba'a (to sell), it is a yaa.
3. 3Check your suffix. If the suffix starts with a vowel (like in "he," "she," or "they"), the middle alif stays. Example: qaala (he said), qaalat (she said).
4. 4If the suffix starts with a consonant (like in "I," "you," or "we"), the middle alif vanishes. Example: qultu (I said), zurtu (I visited).
5. 5Choose the right short vowel. If the root middle was a waw, the verb usually gets a damma (u sound) like qultu. If the root middle was a yaa, it usually gets a kasra (i sound) like bi'tu (I sold).
6. 6It is like a puzzle. You just have to match the pieces. If you see a consonant suffix, the middle vowel is gone. If you see a vowel suffix, the middle vowel is happy and stays put.

You will use hollow verbs constantly. Imagine you are at a cafe in Cairo. You want to say "I was here yesterday." You would use kuntu (the hollow verb kaana). Or maybe you are visiting a friend in Dubai. You would say zurtu sadiqi (I visited my friend). These verbs are the backbone of conversation. Use them when:

• Reporting what someone said (qaala).
• Describing a past state or being somewhere (kaana).
• Talking about travel or visits (zaara).
• Buying or selling things at a market (ba'a).
• Sleeping after a long day of studying (naama).

They are essential for job interviews too. You might say kuntu mudiran (I was a manager). Without hollow verbs, your Arabic would feel very empty—pun intended!

Do not use the hollow verb pattern for "sound" verbs. If the middle letter is a strong consonant like k-t-b (to write), it never disappears. katabtu keeps all its letters. Also, do not keep the long alif when adding a consonant suffix. Saying qaaltu is a classic beginner mistake. It sounds heavy and wrong to an Arabic ear. It is like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Also, be careful with verbs that look hollow but aren't. Some verbs have a waw or yaa that acts like a strong consonant, like sawira (to photograph). These are rare, but they don't follow the disappearing act. Stick to the common ones first, and you will be fine.

One of the biggest hurdles is the "long vowel ghost." You might feel tempted to keep the alif because it's in the dictionary form. Remember: qaala + tu = qultu. Not qaaltu. Another mistake is picking the wrong short vowel. You might want to say qiltu instead of qultu. This takes practice. Think of it like learning the lyrics to a song. Eventually, qultu will just sound "right" and qiltu will sound "off." Don't worry if you mix them up at first. Even native speakers might slip up on rare verbs. Just keep your ears open and listen to how people speak in shows or podcasts.

How do hollow verbs compare to other "weak" verbs?

• Defective Verbs: These have the weak letter at the end (like rama, to throw). The end changes, not the middle.
• Assimilated Verbs: These have the weak letter at the start (like waqafa, to stand). The beginning changes.
• Sound Verbs: These are the "normal" ones. They are stable and never lose letters.

Hollow verbs are unique because the change happens right in the heart of the word. It is the only pattern where the middle of the verb collapses to make room for the ending.