Verb in verbform 2 to 10
By recognizing the verbform of an Arabic verb, you can guess its meaning. Arabic verbs in verbform 2 to 10 follow different patterns, depending on verbform. The higher the verbform, the more specific meaning the verb usually has.
Verbform 2
Verb with verbform 2 follow the pattern fa33ala. Note that the second root letter is double.
An example is the verb Harraka that means to activate, make move.
Another example is the verb dammara that means to destroy.
Verbform 2 is often used for actions performed against someone else, for example to make someone do something or become something.
Verbform 3
Verb with verbform 3 follow the pattern faa3ala. Note that there is a long vowel (aa) between the first and second root letter.
An example is the verb Taalaba that means to demand.
Another example is the verb baaraka that means to bless, congratulate.
Verbform 3 is often used to describe an act you do against another person or involve someone in.
Verbform 4
Verb with verbform 4 follow the pattern 'af3ala.
An example is the verb 'as3ada that means to make happy.
Another example is the verb 'akhbara that means to inform.
Verbform 4 is often causative of verb form 1, ie it is about getting someone to do something.
Verbform 5
Verb with verbform 5 follow the pattern tafa33ala. Note that the second root letter is double. In addition, there is a t before the first root letter.
An example is the verb tanaffasa that means to breathe.
Another example is the verb taHarraka that means to move.
Verbform 5 is often reflexive to verb form 2, ie it is about getting oneself to do what verbform 2 refers to.
Verbform 6
Verb with verbform 6 follow the pattern tafaa3ala. Note that there is a long vowel (aa) between the first and second root letter. In addition, there is a t before the first root letter.
An example is the verb tasaabaqa that means to compete.
Another example is the verb ta3aawana that means to cooperate.
Verbform 6 is often a reflexive, mutual or stronger variant of verbform 3. It often describes an exchange between people or groups of people.
Verbform 7
Verb with verbform 7 follow the pattern infa3ala. Note that there is an n before the first root letter.
An example is the verb inkasara that means to break.
Another example is the verb inqaTa3a that means to be interrupted.
Verbform 7 is often reflexive or passive to verbform 1.
Verbform 8
Verb with verbform 8 follow the pattern ifta3ala. Note that there is a t between the first and second root letter.
An example is the verb ibtasama that means to smile.
Another example is the verb intaZara that means to wait.
Verbform 8 is often, like verbform 7, reflexive to verbform 1.
Verbform 9
Verb with verbform 9 follow the pattern if3alla.
An example is the verb iHmarra that means to blush, turn red.
Another example is the verb iSfarra that means to become pale, turn yellow.
Verb form 9 is only used in connection with colors or bodily variations.
Verbform 10
Verb with verbform 10 follow the pattern istaf3ala. Note the letter s and the letter t before the first root letter
An example is the verb istamta3a that means to enjoy.
Another example is the verb istakhdama that means to employ, utilize.
Verbform 10 can for example be causative or reflexive to verbform 4.
Arabic word patterns
Arabic words follow certain patterns. The patterns make it easier to recognize, memorize and figure out the meaning of Arabic words.
Most Arabic words have a root consisting of three letters. In addition to the root letters, the words contain vowels and sometimes extra letters. The patterns show how the three root letters should be combined with vowels and sometimes extra letters to form words.
To represent the root letters of the word, the letters f, 3 and l are usually used. The letter f (fa) represents the first root letter, 3 (ayn) represents the second root letter and l (lam) represents the third root letter. Some words really have the root f,3 and l. But most words have different root letters.
Using Arabic patterns
As an example, we can look at the root k,t and b. That is, the first root letter is k (kaf), the second root letter is t (ta) and the third is b (ba).
The pattern fa3ala is a common Arabic pattern for verbs. This means that the verb is created by adding the short vowel (a) after each root letter. With the root (k,t,b), the verb becomes kataba that means to write.
The pattern maf3uul is a passive participle, that means that words with this pattern often describe the object of an action. The word is build by of the prefix (ma), the first root letter, the second root letter, the long vowel (uu) and the third root letter. With the root (k,t,b), the verb becomes maktuub that means written.
The patternmaf3al is used for words that describe places or times. You get the words by combining the prefix (ma), the first root letter, the second root letter, the short vowel (a) and the third root letter. With the root (k,t,b), the verb becomes maktab that means office.
Do I need to learn Arabic patterns?
If you think Arabic word patterns seem boring or hard to learn, then just ignore them. Most native Arabic speakers I have talked to about Arabic word patterns, have little or no knowledge of them. It is only at the university in Sweden where I read Arabic, and in textbooks by Western authors, that I have noticed interest in the Arabic word patterns.
Personally, I find the patterns very useful. I can guess the meaning of words I have never heard before, thanks to the patterns and the root letters. Above all, I think that Arabic word patterns are interesting and pleasant, actually therapeutic. When life feels chaotic and insecure, it's nice that every new Arabic word I encounter fits into the patterns I know.
More about Arabic patterns
On this website, you will find the most important Arabic patterns for forming words, and many more in addition to them. See all Arabic word patterns
This site contains thousands of words and each word has a page with detailed information about the word. Among many other things, you can see the pattern of the word. Learn more about Arabic word patterns