Arabic Cases Meaning, Types And Examples

ByNewimanupdate
Arabic Cases

One unique feature of Arabic is its use of cases. Cases are grammatical forms that show the role of a noun or pronoun in a sentence.

In this lesson, we’ll look at what Arabic cases are, their signs, and the three main cases for Arabic nouns.

What Are Arabic Cases?

In Arabic, the term for grammatical case is اِعْرَابٌ (i’raab). Cases help describe the role of nouns, pronouns, and noun phrases in a sentence, such as whether a noun is the subject or object.

Declension is the change in a noun’s form due to changes in its final vowel sounds. There are two types of declension:

  1. Declension with Harakat (i’rab bil harakat): This is shown by vowel marks like fathah (ـَ), dhammah (ـُ), and kasrah (ـِ).
  2. Declension with Letters (i’rab bil huruf): This is indicated by specific letters.

Types of Arabic Noun Cases

There are three main cases in Arabic:

1. Nominative Case (حالة الرفع)

  • Meaning: This case shows that a noun is the subject of a sentence or the predicate in a nominal sentence. It is marked by dhammah (ـُ) or its equivalent.
  • Usage: The nominative case is used for the subject of a verb (فاعل), the subject of a nominal sentence (مبتدأ), or the predicate (خبر).
  • Examples:
  • The student studies Arabic. = الطالبُ يدرس اللغة العربية (Here, الطالبُ is the subject.)
  • The book is interesting. = الكتابُ ممتع (Here, الكتابُ is the subject.)

2. Accusative Case (حالة النصب)

  • Meaning: This case indicates the direct object of a verb. It is marked by fathah (ـَ) or its equivalent.
  • Usage: The accusative case is used for the object of a verb or to show the condition of the doer or the object.
  • Examples:
  • I wrote a book. = كتبت كتابًا (Here, كتابًا is the object.)
  • I planted a flower. = زرعت زهرةً (Here, زهرةً is the object.)

3. Genitive Case (حالة الجر)

  • Meaning: This case shows possession or the noun following a preposition. It is marked by kasrah (ـِ) or its equivalent.
  • Usage: The genitive case is used for nouns that indicate possession or come after a preposition (حرف جر).
  • Examples:
  • I left the school. = خرجت من المدرسة (Here, المدرسة is in the genitive case after the preposition من. )
  • The father is in the house. = الأب في البيت (Here, البيت is in the genitive case after the preposition في. )
  • The book of the scholars. = كتاب العلماء (Here, العلماء is in the genitive case showing possession.)

These cases help determine the function and relationship of nouns in Arabic sentences.

Arabic Cases

The Signs of Cases in Arabic and Declension of Different Nouns

In Arabic, the signs of cases show how a noun changes based on its role in the sentence. Here’s how different types of nouns are affected:

  1. Singular and Broken Plurals:
  • Nominative Case: An indefinite singular noun or a broken plural noun has two dhammas (ـٌـُ) at the end.
    • Example: كِتابٌ (a book), جُسُورٌ (bridges).
  • Definite Nouns: A definite singular noun or a broken plural noun has one dammah (ـُ) at the end.
    • Example: الكتابُ (the book), الجسورُ (the bridges).
  1. Adjectives:
  • Adjectives match the case of the nouns they describe. If a noun has a dhammah, the adjective will also have a dhammah.
  • If a noun has a fathah, the adjective will also have a fathah.
  • If a noun has a kasrah, the adjective will also have a kasrah.
  1. Dual Nouns:
  • Nominative Case: Use the suffix ـانِ.
    • Example: رجلانِ (two men).
  • Accusative and Genitive Cases: Use the suffix ـينِ.
    • Example: كتابينِ (two books).
  1. Sound Masculine Plurals:
  • Nominative Case: Use the suffix ـونَ.
    • Example: المسلمونَ (the Muslims).
  • Accusative and Genitive Cases: Use the suffix ـينَ.
    • Example: المجاهدينَ (the fighters).
  1. Sound Feminine Plurals:
  • Nominative Case: Use two dhammas (ـَـُ) at the end.
    • Example: المجاهداتُ (the female fighters).
  • Accusative and Genitive Cases: Use two kasras (ـِـِ).
    • Example: المجاهداتِ (the female fighters).

Examples in Sentences

  • Nominative Case: جاء محمدُ (Muhammad came) – Here, محمدُ is in the nominative case.
  • Accusative Case: رأيت محمدَ (I saw Muhammad) – Here, محمدَ is in the accusative case.
  • Genitive Case: ابن محمدٍ (The son of Muhammad) – Here, محمدٍ is in the genitive case.

These signs help show the role of nouns in sentences and how they are connected.

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