Root Letters & Word Patterns – Arabic Morphology
Arabic, for the most part, is a triliteral root language. Which means, the meaning and construction of Arabic words is based on 3 letters. By simply adding a few distinct letters and changing vowel marks, new words are formed. This is unique to Arabic and other Semitic languages, such as Hebrew and Aramaic.
In linguistics, studying words and how they are structurally formed is called morphology (صرف sarf in Arabic). When I first started learning Arabic, I was most intrigued by how Arabic words were formed and how slight changes provided a new word, but with a similar meaning. This study was one of the most helpful things that allowed me to comprehend Arabic and easily learn new words.
The Basis of Arabic Morphology
There are 3 (or sometimes 4) root letters that convey a particular meaning (a root meaning).
These letters must appear in the correct order to carry the root meaning.
There are patterns to constructing words in Arabic. Most rely on the addition of the letters ا , ت , س , م , ن , و , ي , ة and ء.
The addition of letters or change in vowel marks reveal a word’s specific meaning that is connected to the root meaning of the root letters.
EXAMPLE: د – ر – س To Learn/Study/Educate
د ر س are 3 Arabic letters that carry the meaning to learn, study or educate. Any word, regardless if it is a thing, person, place or verb conjugation that are derived from the 3 root letters د ر س (daal, raa, saa) will have a meaning connected with learning, study or education.
دَرَسَ – he studied (verb)
دُرُوسٌ – lessons (a thing)
مُدَرِّس – a teacher (a person who facilitates learning)
مَدْرَسَة – school (a place where people learn or study)
سَيَدْرُسُوْنَ – they (m) will study (verb)
The Benefits of Studying Morphology
Quickly derive the meaning of new words
Read Arabic without any vowel marks (tashkeel/harakat)
Helps with being able to look up words in an Arabic dictionary
I’ve always been fascinated by the intricacies of how the Arabic language is constructed and the various meanings derived from set patterns. With time, practice and exposure, it will become easier to learn new Arabic words and decipher word meanings. Studying Arabic morphology is a great way to speed up your Arabic understanding.
