One unique feature of Arabic is its use of cases, which show the role of a noun or pronoun in a sentence.
The nominative case is one of the three Arabic cases. In this lesson, we will look at the nominative case, its signs, endings, and examples.
What Is the Nominative Case in Arabic?
The nominative case in Arabic, also known as al-marfuʿ (مَرْفُوعٌ), is used to mark the subject of a sentence. It is the default case in Arabic. Nouns and pronouns in this case are marked with a dammah (ضمة), which is a small vowel mark above the final letter.
Adjectives that describe these nouns are also in the nominative case and share the same harakah (vowel marking). If a word is not affected by other cases like accusative or genitive, it is in the nominative case.
- Indefinite nouns in the nominative case often end in dammah tanwin (ـٌ), pronounced as un, and are written with two loops above the last letter.
- Definite nouns in the nominative case end in a single dammah (ـُ), pronounced as u, and are written with one loop above the last letter.
In Arabic, nouns and adjectives change their form to show their role in the sentence.
There are six types of nominative forms (al-marfuʿāt).
1. The Nominal Subject
The nominal subject, called al-mubtadaʔ (المبتدأ), is usually the noun that starts a nominal sentence. It is always in the nominative case, marked with a dammah or similar sign on the ending.
Examples:
- The lion is an animal. = الأسدُ حيوانٌ
- Health is a blessing. = الصحةُ نعمةٌ
READ ALSO: Possession In Arabic: How To Form A Possessive Noun in Arabic?
2. The Nominal Predicate
The nominal predicate, called al-khabar (الخبر), is the part of the sentence that completes the meaning after the nominal subject. It can also appear at the beginning of the sentence.
Examples:
- The book is a friend. = الكتابُ صديقٌ
- Victory is near. = النصرُ قريبٌ
3. The Noun of Kana and Its Sisters
The verb Kana (كانَ) and its related verbs can come before the nominal sentence. They turn the nominal subject into their subject. This noun is always in the nominative case.
Examples:
- The weather was beautiful yesterday. = كانَ الجوُ جميلاً بالأمس
- The student was tired. = كانَ الطالبُ متعباً
4. The Predicate of Inna and Its Sisters
Inna and its related verbs also come with the nominative sentence but change the vowel mark (harakah) of the subject. The predicate remains in the nominative case.
Examples:
- The man is hungry. = إنَّ الرَّجلَ جائعٌ
- The plane is fast. = إنَّ الطائرةَ سريعةٌ
5. The Verbal Subject
The verbal subject, known as al-fāʿil (الفاعل), is the subject of a verbal sentence and is in the nominative case with a dammah or similar sign on the ending.
Examples:
- The flowers bloomed. = تفتَّحَ الزَّهرُ
- The branch broke. = اِنكسرَ الغصنُ
- Muhammad wrote the lesson. = كتبَ محمدٌ الدَّرسَ
6. The Deputy Agent (Passive Subject)
The deputy agent, called nāʔib al-fāʿil (نائب الفاعل), appears in passive sentences. In these sentences, the deputy agent is in the nominative case with a dammah or similar sign on the ending.
Example:
- The lesson was written. = كُتبَ الدَّرسُ
Signs of the Nominative Case in Arabic
The nominative case is used for subjects and predicates in sentences, as well as for the subject of verbal sentences and their adjectives. In Arabic, the nominative case is shown by specific vowel marks or diacritics added to the end of the noun.
Different endings are used for the nominative case based on number, gender, and definiteness:
1. Dhamma (ـُ)
- Description: The dhamma (ـُ) is the common sign for the nominative case in Arabic. It sounds like a short /o/ and is written as a small loop above the letter.
- For Definite Singular Nouns and Adjectives:
- Examples:
- The boy wrote the homework. = كتب الولدُ الواجبُ
- The student studies at university. = الطالبُ يدرسُ في الجامعةِ
- The bridge. = الجسرُ
- The photographers (feminine). = المصوراتُ
- For Indefinite Singular Nouns and Adjectives:
- Examples:
- A bridge. = جسرٌ
- Bridges. = جسورٌ
- Photographers. = مصوراتٌ
- He is a new student. = هو طالبٌ جديدٌ
- A girl came to the party. = جاءت بنتٌ إلى الحفلِ
2. Alif (ـَانِ)
- Description: The alif (ـَانِ) is used for dual nouns and adjectives. It is added as a suffix.
- Examples:
- Two photographers (masculine). = مصورَانِ
- The two photographers (masculine). = المصورَانِ
- Two photographers (feminine). = مصورَتانِ
- The two photographers (feminine). = المصورَتانِ
- They are new students (2 male students). = هما طالبان جديدان
- Two girls came to the party. = جاءت بنتان إلى الحفلِ
3. Waw (ـُونَ)
- Description: The waw (ـُونَ) is used for sound masculine plural nouns and adjectives. It is added as a suffix.
- Examples:
- They are Saudi engineers. = هم مهندسون سعوديون
- The photographers (male). = المصورونَ
These signs help determine how nouns and adjectives are used in sentences, depending on their role and form.
Let’s explore each point about the nominative case in Arabic in more detail with additional examples.
1. Dammah (ـُ)
Definition:
- The dammah (ـُ) is a short vowel mark placed above a letter in Arabic script. It indicates that the noun or adjective is in the nominative case.
Usage:
- Subject of a Sentence:
- Used for the main subject performing the action or being described.
- Example 1:
- الولدُ يجري. (al-walad yajri.): The boy is running.
- الولدُ (al-walad): The boy (subject).
- Example 2:
- المدرسُ يشرحُ الدرسَ. (al-mudarris yashraḥ ad-dars): The teacher is explaining the lesson.
- المدرسُ (al-mudarris): The teacher (subject).
- Predicate in a Nominal Sentence:
- Used to describe or identify the subject in a sentence without a verb.
- Example 1:
- البيتُ كبيرٌ. (al-baytu kabīr): The house is big.
- البيتُ (al-baytu): The house (subject).
- كبيرٌ (kabīr): Big (predicate).
- Example 2:
- السماءُ صافيةٌ. (as-samā ṣāfiyah): The sky is clear.
- السماءُ (as-samā): The sky (subject).
- صافيةٌ (ṣāfiyah): Clear (predicate).
2. Dammah Tanwin (ـٌ)
Definition:
- Dammah tanwin (ـٌ) is a double dammah at the end of an indefinite singular noun. It is used when the noun is in the nominative case and indefinite.
Usage:
- Indefinite Nouns:
- Indicates an indefinite noun as the subject of a sentence.
- Example 1:
- كتابٌ مفيدٌ. (kitāb mufīd): A useful book.
- كتابٌ (kitāb): A book (subject, indefinite).
- مفيدٌ (mufīd): Useful (adjective).
- Example 2:
- ولدٌ نشيطٌ. (walad nāshiṭ): An active boy.
- ولدٌ (walad): A boy (subject, indefinite).
- نشيطٌ (nāshiṭ): Active (adjective).
3. Nominative Case with Adjectives
Definition:
- Adjectives that describe nouns in the nominative case also take the nominative case.
Usage:
- Adjective Agreement:
- The adjective agrees with the noun in case, gender, and number.
- Example 1:
- الولدُ الذكيُّ (al-walad adh-dhakiyy): The smart boy.
- الولدُ (al-walad): The boy (subject).
- الذكيُّ (adh-dhakiyy): Smart (adjective).
- Example 2:
- البنتُ الجميلةُ (al-bint al-jamīlah): The beautiful girl.
- البنتُ (al-bint): The girl (subject).
- الجميلةُ (al-jamīlah): Beautiful (adjective).
4. Special Cases
Dual Nouns:
- Definition:
- The nominative case for dual nouns is marked by -ān (ـَانِ).
- Usage:
- Example 1:
- الولدانِ يلعبانِ. (al-waladāni yalʿabāni): The two boys are playing.
- الولدانِ (al-waladāni): The two boys (subject).
- يلعبانِ (yalʿabāni): Are playing (verb for dual).
- Example 2:
- المدرستانِ جديدتانِ. (al-mudarrisātāni jadīdātāni): The two teachers are new.
- المدرستانِ (al-mudarrisātāni): The two teachers (subject).
- جديدتانِ (jadīdātāni): New (adjective for dual).
Plural Nouns:
- Definition:
- For sound masculine plurals, the nominative case is marked by -ūn (ـُونَ).
- Usage:
- Example 1:
- الطلابُ مجتهدونَ. (aṭ-ṭullāb mujtaḥidūn): The students are hardworking.
- الطلابُ (aṭ-ṭullāb): The students (subject).
- مجتهدونَ (mujtaḥidūn): Hardworking (adjective for masculine plural).
- Example 2:
- المعلمونَ موجودونَ. (al-muʿallimūn mawjudūn): The teachers are present.
- المعلمونَ (al-muʿallimūn): The teachers (subject).
- موجودونَ (mawjudūn): Present (adjective for masculine plural).
These examples cover various aspects of the nominative case in Arabic.