Arabic Nouns from Actions: The Passive Pattern (maf'ūl)
maf'ūl pattern describe the result of an action, turning 'written' into 'letter'.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The 'maf'ūl' pattern turns a root verb into an adjective describing something that has been acted upon.
- Start with the root letters (e.g., K-T-B).
- Add 'ma' at the start and a 'ū' after the second root letter.
- The resulting word (e.g., maktūb) means 'written'.
Overview
Arabic, unlike many languages, operates on a profound system of three-letter roots, which act as the fundamental semantic units for nearly all its vocabulary. This allows for an organic, highly logical expansion of meaning from a core concept. Within this intricate system, the مَفْعُول (maf'ūl) pattern plays a pivotal role.
It is a derivative form that transforms a verbal action into a noun or adjective, primarily signifying "that which has been acted upon" or "the result of an action." Understanding this pattern is essential for beginner Arabic learners (CEFR A1) because it unlocks the meaning of countless common words, offering insight into the very structure of Arabic thought. You aren't just memorizing isolated vocabulary; you're learning the underlying linguistic DNA that governs how Arabic names objects and describes their state.
This pattern fundamentally connects the action (فِعْل, fiʿl) with its recipient or outcome. For instance, if you encounter a word formed on the مَفْعُول pattern from the root ك-ت-ب (related to writing), you immediately understand it refers to something that has been written. This efficiency is a hallmark of Arabic morphology.
You'll find that words derived using this pattern often function as both passive participles (adjectives describing the state of being acted upon) and common nouns for items that are typically the object of an action. This dual functionality is crucial for building a foundational vocabulary and comprehending the subtle nuances of Arabic expression right from the start.
How This Grammar Works
مَفْعُول pattern functions as a morphological template applied to three-letter verbal roots. These roots, representing a general concept (e.g., ك-ت-ب for writing, ش-ر-ب for drinking), are the building blocks. When a root is molded into the مَفْعُول pattern, the resulting word denotes an entity that passively receives the action of that root.ف-ه-م (f-h-m), which carries the core meaning of "understanding." From this root, the verb فَهِمَ (fahima) means "he understood." When you apply the مَفْعُول pattern, you derive مَفْهُوم (mafhūm), which literally means "that which is understood." In practical usage, مَفْهُوم often translates to "a concept" or "an idea," signifying something that has been processed and grasped intellectually. This transformation allows Arabic to efficiently create nouns for abstract ideas and concrete objects directly from verbs, rather than relying on entirely new, unrelated lexical items.أ-ك-ل (ʾ-k-l) signifies "eating." The verb أَكَلَ (akala) means "he ate." Applying the مَفْعُول pattern yields مَأْكُول (maʾkūl). Its literal meaning is "that which is eaten." In everyday contexts, مَأْكُول commonly refers to "food" or "edibles." This demonstrates how the مَفْعُول pattern serves as a powerful word-forming tool, condensing the idea of a past action and its passive recipient into a single, highly descriptive word. You will encounter these words frequently, as they form a significant portion of basic Arabic vocabulary, seamlessly bridging the gap between verbs and the things they act upon.Formation Pattern
مَفْعُول pattern is systematically derived from Form I (ثلاثي مجرد, thulāthī mujarrad) three-letter roots. This means the root consists of only three consonants. To form the مَفْعُول word, you insert the three root letters into a specific template, adding a prefix and an internal long vowel. Mastery of this pattern allows you to predict the meaning and structure of many new words. You should pay close attention to the vocalization (tashkeel), as it is integral to the pattern.
ف-ع-ل (f-ʿ-l), which serves as a placeholder for any three-letter root.
ك-ت-ب (k-t-b) – relating to writing
مَـ (ma-): This short مَـ sound (mīm with a fatḥah) is always attached to the beginning of the word.
مَـ + ك-ت-ب
ف of the pattern) receives a سُكُون (sukūn).
مَكْـ + ت-ب
ع of the pattern) receives a فَتْحَة (fatḥah).
مَكْتَـ + ب
و (wāw): A long و (wāw) with a سُكُون (sukūn) is inserted between the second and third root letters. This creates the long ū sound that is characteristic of the pattern.
مَكْتُو + ب
ل of the pattern) is appended. For the basic, isolated form of the noun, it typically ends with a ḍammatayn (ـٌ) for the nominative indefinite case, indicating the underlying noun form.
مَكْتُوبٌ (maktūbun)
مَفْعُول Pattern (Noun/Participle) | Meaning
ك-ت-ب (k-t-b) | كَتَبَ (kataba) "he wrote" | مَكْتُوبٌ (maktūbun) | written; a letter, a document
ش-ر-ب (sh-r-b) | شَرِبَ (shariba) "he drank" | مَشْرُوبٌ (mashrūbun) | drunk; a drink, beverage
أ-ك-ل (ʾ-k-l) | أَكَلَ (akala) "he ate" | مَأْكُولٌ (maʾkūlun) | eaten; food, edibles
ف-ه-م (f-h-m) | فَهِمَ (fahima) "he understood" | مَفْهُومٌ (mafhūmun) | understood; a concept, an idea
و, ي, أ), the مَفْعُول pattern undergoes specific modifications. These are predictable but require attention.
و or ي (e.g., ق-و-ل, ب-ي-ع). The و of the مَفْعُول pattern usually combines with the weak middle root letter.
ق-و-ل (q-w-l) "to say"
مَقْوُول (maqwūl)
مَقُولٌ (maqūlun) "said; a saying, a statement" (The two وs merge).
ب-ي-ع (b-y-ʿ) "to sell"
مَبْيُوع (mabyūʿ)
مَبِيعٌ (mabīʿun) "sold; goods, merchandise" (The ي of the root merges with the و of the pattern, but the و changes to ي due to the preceding kasra, then the first ي takes a sukūn and the second is removed for ease of pronunciation).
و or ي (e.g., د-ع-و, ن-س-ي). The و of the pattern combines with the weak third root letter, often resulting in a shaddah.
د-ع-و (d-ʿ-w) "to call, invite"
مَدْعُوٌّ (madʿūwun)
مَدْعُوٌّ (madʿūwun) "invited; a guest" (The و of the pattern and the و of the root combine with a shaddah).
ن-س-ي (n-s-y) "to forget"
مَنْسُوي (mansuwī)
مَنْسِيٌّ (mansīyun) "forgotten" (The و of the pattern changes to ي and combines with the ي of the root with a shaddah).
When To Use It
مَفْعُول pattern is incredibly versatile, functioning as both an adjective (passive participle) and a noun. Its primary use is to refer to something that has been the object or recipient of an action, or the result produced by an action. This makes it indispensable for describing things and concepts in Arabic.مَفْعُول words function as nouns, they name concrete or abstract entities that are the outcomes of a verb's action. This is one of the most common applications you will encounter.- Concrete Objects: You'll find these everywhere, from menus to office documents.
مَشْرُوبٌ(mashrūbun) fromشَرِبَ(shariba, to drink) means "a drink" (literally, "that which is drunk"). Example:مَشْرُوبَاتٌ بَارِدَةٌ(mashrūbāt bāridah) – cold drinks. You'll seeمشروباتon every restaurant menu.مَكْتُوبٌ(maktūbun) fromكَتَبَ(kataba, to write) means "a letter" or "a written document." *Example:لَدَيَّ مَكْتُوبٌ مُهِمٌّ(ladayya maktūbun muhimmun) – I have an important letter.مَأْكُولٌ(maʾkūlun) fromأَكَلَ(akala, to eat) means "food" or "edibles." *Example:هَذَا مَأْكُولٌ طَيِّبٌ(hādhā maʾkūlun ṭayyibun) – This is good food.
- Abstract Concepts: The pattern is also used to form nouns for ideas or states.
مَفْهُومٌ(mafhūmun) fromفَهِمَ(fahima, to understand) means "a concept" or "an idea." *Example:هَذَا مَفْهُومٌ جَدِيدٌ(hādhā mafhūmun jadīdun) – This is a new concept.مَطْلُوبٌ(maṭlūbun) fromطَلَبَ(ṭalaba, to request) means "a request," "a demand," or "something required." *Example:هَذَا هُوَ الْمَطْلُوبُ مِنْكَ(hādhā huwa al-maṭlūbu minka) – This is what is required of you.
مَفْعُول word describes the noun it modifies as being in a state of having received the action of the root verb. It indicates the result of a completed action.- Describing a State: This is common for doors, windows, and other objects.
مَفْتُوحٌ(maftūḥun) fromفَتَحَ(fataḥa, to open) means "opened" or "open." *Example:الْبَابُ مَفْتُوحٌ(al-bābu maftūḥun) – The door is open.مَكْسُورٌ(maksūrun) fromكَسَرَ(kasara, to break) means "broken." *Example:الْقَلَمُ مَكْسُورٌ(al-qalamu maksūrun) – The pen is broken.
- Indicating Prohibition or Permission: These are often encountered on signs and in regulations.
مَمْنُوعٌ(mamnūʿun) fromمَنَعَ(manaʿa, to forbid) means "forbidden" or "prohibited." *Example:مَمْنُوعُ التَّدْخِينِ(mamnūʿu al-taddkhīni) – Smoking is forbidden (No Smoking).مَسْمُوحٌ(masmūḥun) fromسَمَحَ(samaḥa, to permit) means "permitted" or "allowed." *Example:هَذَا مَسْمُوحٌ بِهِ(hādhā masmūḥun bihi) – This is allowed.
مَفْعُول words must agree with the noun they describe in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/dual/plural).- Feminine Singular: Add
ة(tāʾ marbūṭa) to the end. مَكْتُوبٌ(maktūbun) →مَكْتُوبَةٌ(maktūbatun) "a written (thing, feminine)"الرِّسَالَةُ مَكْتُوبَةٌ(al-risālatu maktūbatun) – The letter is written.- Plurals: Most
مَفْعُولnouns that refer to inanimate objects form the sound feminine plural by addingـَات(-āt). مَشْرُوبٌ(mashrūbun) →مَشْرُوبَاتٌ(mashrūbātun) "drinks"مَفْهُومٌ(mafhūmun) →مَفْهُومَاتٌ(mafhūmātun) "concepts"
مَكْتُوب → مَكَاتِيب (makātīb) "letters").Common Mistakes
مَفْعُول pattern. Being aware of these pitfalls will significantly improve your accuracy and comprehension.- 1Confusing
مَفْعُول(Passive Participle) withفَاعِل(Active Participle):
فَاعِل (fāʿil) pattern denotes the doer of an action, while the مَفْعُول (maf'ūl) pattern signifies the one to whom the action is done or the result of the action. Mixing these up leads to fundamental changes in meaning.- Root:
ك-ت-ب(writing) كَاتِبٌ(kātibun) – Writer (the one doing the writing).مَكْتُوبٌ(maktūbun) – Written; a letter (the thing that was written).- Root:
أ-ك-ل(eating) آكِلٌ(ʾākilun) – Eater (the one doing the eating).مَأْكُولٌ(maʾkūlun) – Eaten; food (the thing that was eaten).
أَنَا مَأْكُولٌ (ʾanā maʾkūlun) – "I am eaten," you're portraying yourself as food. What you likely intended was أَنَا آكِلٌ (ʾanā ʾākilun) – "I am eating." Always verify whether you intend to describe the actor or the recipient/result of an action.- 1Incorrect Vocalization or Missing Letters: The precise
مَـprefix and the longـُوvowel are non-negotiable. Omitting them or misplacing vowels can render the word unintelligible or change its meaning entirely.
- Forgetting
مَـ: If you sayكْتُوبinstead ofمَكْتُوب, it simply sounds incorrect and lacks the proper grammatical form. - Missing the long
و: Sayingمَكْتَب(maktab, an office/desk) instead ofمَكْتُوب(maktūb, a letter/written) is a common confusion, asمَكْتَبfollows theمَفْعَل(maf'al) pattern, which denotes a place, not an object. This highlights the importance of the internal long vowelو.
- 1Gender and Number Disagreement: While a basic concept, neglecting to match the gender and number of the
مَفْعُولword with the noun it describes is a frequent error. This is especially true whenمَفْعُولacts as an adjective.
- If you're describing a feminine noun like
غُرْفَة(ghurfah, room), you must use the feminine form:الغُرْفَةُ مَفْتُوحَةٌ(al-ghurfatu maftūḥatun) – The room is open. Notمَفْتُوحٌ. - For plurals, remember the sound feminine plural
-ātis common for inanimate objects (مَشْرُوبَات), but memorize broken plurals where they occur (مَكَاتِيب).
- 1Over-generalization with Weak Verbs: The formation rules for weak (hollow or defective) verbs require specific adjustments, as detailed in the "Formation Pattern" section. Expect
وs andيs to transform or merge. Don't apply the regularمَفْعُولpattern rigidly to these roots; for instance,مَدْعُوٌّ(madʿūwun) fromد-ع-و(to call) looks different fromمَكْتُوبٌbecause of the root's final weak letter.
مَفْعُول pattern and avoid miscommunications.Real Conversations
The مَفْعُول pattern is not confined to textbooks; it's a living part of everyday Arabic, deeply embedded in casual conversations, social media, professional communication, and public signage. Recognizing these words in context will significantly boost your practical understanding.
1. Ordering and Shopping:
When you're out, مَشْرُوبٌ (mashrūb) for "drink" is ubiquitous. You'll hear:
- هَلْ تُرِيدُ مَشْرُوبًا بَارِدًا؟ (Hal turīdu mashrūban bāridan?) – "Do you want a cold drink?"
- أَيُّ مَشْرُوبٍ تُفَضِّلُ؟ (Ayyu mashrūbin tufadḍilu?) – "Which drink do you prefer?"
If you're buying something, you might hear questions about what you need or what's available:
- مَا هُوَ الْمَطْلُوبُ مِنْكَ؟ (Mā huwa al-maṭlūbu minka?) – "What is required from you?" or "What is your request?" (from طَلَبَ, to request)
- هَلْ هَذَا الْمُنْتَجُ مَوْجُودٌ فِي الْمَتْجَرِ؟ (Hal hādhā al-muntaju mawjūdun fī al-matjari?) – "Is this product available in the store?" (from وَجَدَ, to find, مَوْجُودٌ means "found," hence "present/available")
2. Social Media and News:
Words like "post" or "published" are often مَفْعُول derivatives:
- مَنْشُورٌ جَدِيدٌ عَلَى حِسَابِي. (Manshūrun jadīdun ʿalā ḥisābī.) – "A new post on my account." (from نَشَرَ, to publish/spread, مَنْشُورٌ means "published thing/post")
- هَذِهِ الأَخْبَارُ مَنْشُورَةٌ فِي جَمِيعِ الصُّحُفِ. (Hādhihi al-ʾakhbāru manshūratun fī jamīʿi al-ṣuḥufi.) – "These news items are published in all newspapers." (note مَنْشُورَةٌ is feminine plural to match الأَخْبَارُ, a broken plural treated as feminine singular).
3. Public Signs and Regulations:
You will frequently see مَمْنُوعٌ (mamnūʿun) and مَسْمُوحٌ (masmūḥun) indicating rules:
- مَمْنُوعُ الْوُقُوفِ. (Mamūʿu al-wuqūfi.) – "No standing/parking." (from مَنَعَ, to forbid)
- الدُّخُولُ مَسْمُوحٌ. (Ad-dukhūlu masmūḥun.) – "Entry is permitted." (from سَمَحَ, to permit)
4. Describing Situations and States:
This pattern is also key for describing a state resulting from an action:
- الْبَابُ مَفْتُوحٌ. (Al-bābu maftūḥun.) – "The door is open." (from فَتَحَ, to open)
- هَذَا سِرٌّ مَكْتُومٌ. (Hādhā sirrun maktūmun.) – "This is a hidden secret." (from كَتَمَ, to hide/conceal, مَكْتُومٌ means "hidden/concealed")
- الْمَوْقِفُ مَفْهُومٌ. (Al-mawqufu mafhūmun.) – "The situation is understood." (from فَهِمَ, to understand)
By observing how native speakers use these terms in various scenarios, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the versatility and natural integration of the مَفْعُول pattern in spoken and written Arabic.
Quick FAQ
مَفْعُول pattern and its place in Arabic grammar.مَفْعُول noun or participle?Almost all Form I (ثلاثي مجرد) verbs can theoretically form a مَفْعُول participle. However, not every theoretical form is in common use as a noun. Some are primarily used as adjectives, while others are rare or have fallen out of use. As a beginner, focus on the widely used examples like مَكْتُوب, مَشْرُوب, مَفْتُوح, مَمْنُوع, and مَفْهُوم. You will acquire more examples naturally as your vocabulary expands.
مَفْعُول word be both an adjective and a noun?Yes, this is one of the most powerful features of the مَفْعُول pattern. It often functions as both a passive participle (adjective) and a noun. The distinction typically depends on context. When it directly describes a noun, it's an adjective. When it stands alone and names something, it's a noun. For example:
الكِتَابُ مَكْتُوبٌ بِالعَرَبِيَّةِ.(Al-kitābu maktūbun bi-l-ʿarabīyati.) – "The book is written in Arabic." (adjective)أَرْسَلْتُ لَهُ مَكْتُوبًا.(ʾarsaltu lahu maktūban.) – "I sent him a letter." (noun)
مَفْعُول words pluralized?Pluralization depends on whether the word is treated primarily as an adjective or a noun, and its specific usage:
- Adjectives: When acting as an adjective,
مَفْعُولwords follow standard adjective agreement rules. For masculine plural, you'd typically use the sound masculine plural (ـُونَorـِينَfor rational beings), or for non-rational plurals, the feminine singular form. For feminine plural, it's the sound feminine plural (ـَات). طُلَّابٌ مَدْعُوُّونَ(ṭullābun madʿuwwūna) – "invited students" (masculine plural, rational)أَبْوَابٌ مَفْتُوحَةٌ(ʾabwābun maftūḥatun) – "open doors" (non-rational plural treated as feminine singular)- Nouns: When functioning as a noun, particularly for inanimate objects, they most commonly form the sound feminine plural by adding
ـَات(-āt) to the end. مَشْرُوبٌ(mashrūbun, a drink) →مَشْرُوبَاتٌ(mashrūbātun, drinks)مَفْهُومٌ(mafhūmun, a concept) →مَفْهُومَاتٌ(mafhūmātun, concepts)
مَفْعُول nouns take broken plurals, which must be learned individually. For example, مَكْتُوبٌ (maktūbun, a letter) takes the broken plural مَكَاتِيبُ (makātību, letters). You will learn these irregular plurals through exposure and memorization.مَفْعُول differ from مَفْعَل (maf'al) or مَفْعِل (maf'il)?This is a critical distinction for A1 learners. While both مَفْعُول and مَفْعَل/مَفْعِل start with مَـ, their meanings are fundamentally different:
مَفْعُول(maf'ūl): Indicates "that which has been acted upon" or the result/object of an action.مَفْعَل(maf'al) /مَفْعِل(maf'il): These two patterns primarily indicate the place where an action occurs (اسم المكان, ism al-makān) or the time when an action occurs (اسم الزمان, ism az-zamān).مَفْعَلis more common;مَفْعِلis used if the verb's imperfect form has akasrahon the middle root letter or if the verb is assimilated (وَصَلَ).
مَفْعُول (Object/Result) | مَفْعَل/مَفْعِل (Place/Time) | Comparisonك-ت-ب (k-t-b) | كَتَبَ (kataba) "he wrote" | مَكْتُوبٌ (maktūbun) "a letter, written" | مَكْتَبٌ (maktabun) "office, desk" | مَكْتُوب is what is written; مَكْتَب is where you write it.ش-ر-ب (sh-r-b) | شَرِبَ (shariba) "he drank" | مَشْرُوبٌ (mashrūbun) "a drink, drunk" | مَشْرَبٌ (mashrabun) "a drinking place, water source" | مَشْرُوب is what you drink; مَشْرَب is where you drink.أ-ك-ل (ʾ-k-l) | أَكَلَ (akala) "he ate" | مَأْكُولٌ (maʾkūlun) "food, eaten" | مَأْكَلٌ (maʾkalun) "an eating place, restaurant" | مَأْكُول is what is eaten; مَأْكَل is where you eat.Passive Participle Formation
| Root | Pattern | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
K-T-B
|
maf'ūl
|
maktūb
|
written
|
|
D-R-S
|
maf'ūl
|
madrūs
|
studied
|
|
F-T-H
|
maf'ūl
|
maftūh
|
opened
|
|
S-M-A
|
maf'ūl
|
masmū'
|
heard
|
|
A-K-L
|
maf'ūl
|
ma'kūl
|
eaten
|
|
B-N-Y
|
maf'ūl
|
mabniyy
|
built
|
Meanings
The passive participle describes a person or object that has received the action of the verb.
Passive State
Something that has undergone an action.
“الباب مفتوح”
“الطعام مأكول”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Masculine
|
maf'ūl
|
maktūb
|
|
Feminine
|
maf'ūla
|
maktūba
|
|
Plural
|
maf'ūlūn
|
maktūbūn
|
|
Negative
|
ghayr + maf'ūl
|
ghayr maktūb
|
|
Question
|
hal + maf'ūl?
|
hal maktūb?
|
|
Short Answer
|
na'am/la
|
na'am, maktūb
|
Formality Spectrum
الباب مغلق. (Daily life)
الباب مقفول. (Daily life)
الباب مسكر. (Daily life)
الباب مقفول خالص. (Daily life)
The Maf'ūl Root Map
Verb
- kataba he wrote
Participle
- maktūb written
Examples by Level
هذا الباب مفتوح.
This door is open.
الدرس مكتوب.
The lesson is written.
الطعام مأكول.
The food is eaten.
البيت مبني.
The house is built.
الرسالة مكتوبة بخط جميل.
The letter is written in beautiful handwriting.
المكتب مغلق اليوم.
The office is closed today.
السيارة مصلوحة.
The car is repaired.
الفيلم معروف.
The movie is well-known.
هذا القرار مدروس بعناية.
This decision is carefully studied.
المكان مهجور منذ سنوات.
The place has been abandoned for years.
الخطة مرفوضة من الجميع.
The plan is rejected by everyone.
المنتج مطلوب بشدة.
The product is in high demand.
المشروع مهدد بالفشل.
The project is threatened with failure.
الحقيقة معروفة للجميع.
The truth is known to everyone.
الأسلوب متبع في كل مكان.
The style is followed everywhere.
النتائج متوقعة.
The results are expected.
الرواية مقتبسة من قصة حقيقية.
The novel is adapted from a true story.
القرار متخذ بناءً على الأدلة.
The decision is taken based on evidence.
الوضع مأزوم.
The situation is critical/strained.
العمل متقن.
The work is mastered/perfected.
النص مصاغ ببراعة.
The text is crafted/phrased brilliantly.
الرأي مطروح للنقاش.
The opinion is put forward for discussion.
الموقف محتوم.
The situation is inevitable/fated.
السر مكتوم.
The secret is kept/concealed.
Easily Confused
Both are derived from the same root.
Both describe past actions.
Both are passive.
Common Mistakes
kataba
maktūb
maftūh (for a door)
maftūha
mktub
maktūb
maf'il
maf'ūl
maf'ūlīn
maf'ūlūn
maf'ūl (for plural)
maf'ūlūn
maf'ūl (for feminine)
maf'ūla
maf'ūl (for weak root)
marmiyy
maf'ūl (for Form II)
mufa''al
maf'ūl (active)
fā'il
maf'ūl (idiomatic)
mu'add
maf'ūl (archaic)
maf'ūl
maf'ūl (incorrect root)
maf'ūl
Sentence Patterns
هذا الـ ___ ___.
الـ ___ ___ جداً.
هل الـ ___ ___؟
الـ ___ ليس ___.
Real World Usage
الصورة منشورة.
الرسالة مقروءة.
القرار متخذ.
المطار مغلق.
الطلب مجهز.
البحث مدروس.
Check the root
Gender matters
Listen for the 'ū'
Dialect variations
Smart Tips
Apply the 'maf'ūl' template immediately.
Use the passive participle instead of a verb.
Always check for the ta marbuta.
Look for the root letters.
Pronunciation
Long Vowel
The 'ū' in maf'ūl must be held for two beats.
Declarative
الدرس مكتوب ↘
Falling intonation for statements.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember 'Maf'ūl' as 'My-Full'—the object is 'full' of the action.
Visual Association
Imagine a letter (maktūb) with a big 'M' stamped on it and a 'U' shaped handle.
Rhyme
Add 'ma' at the start, 'ū' in the middle, the action is done, the mystery is little.
Story
Ahmed wrote a letter (kataba). Now the letter is sitting on the desk. It is a 'maktūb' letter. Everyone who sees it knows it is 'maktūb'.
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room and find 3 objects. Describe them using the 'maf'ūl' pattern (e.g., 'the door is opened').
Cultural Notes
Egyptians often use 'ma' for passive, but sometimes prefer 'mit-' for other forms.
They use 'ma' but often prefer 'mas' for specific verbs.
Standard 'maf'ūl' is very common in formal settings.
The 'maf'ūl' pattern is a Proto-Semitic morphological derivation.
Conversation Starters
هل هذا الباب مفتوح؟
هل الطعام مأكول؟
هل التقرير مكتوب؟
هل القرار متخذ؟
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
الباب ___ (opened).
الرسالة ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
الطعام مأكولين.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
The book is studied.
Answer starts with: الك...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
مكتوب
Use 'مغلق' (closed) with 'المكتب' (the office).
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesالباب ___ (opened).
الرسالة ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
الطعام مأكولين.
مفتوح / الباب / هو
The book is studied.
مكتوب / مأكول / مفتوح
مكتوب
Use 'مغلق' (closed) with 'المكتب' (the office).
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesMatch the following:
How do you say 'The total' using the root j-m-'?
Order these: [ممنوع] [التدخين]
Choose the noun derived from '-l-m' (know):
هذا الخبر ___ (published/spread).
I want a 'drink': أريد شارب (shārib).
Translate: 'Kull shay' maktūb'.
Match:
Make 'maktūb' feminine:
The food is ___ (eaten).
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
It is a morphological pattern used to create passive participles.
Look for the 'ma-' prefix and '-ū-' infix.
It works for most 3-letter roots.
No, it is an adjective, not a verb.
Add '-ūn' for masculine or '-āt' for feminine.
Yes, it is standard in all registers.
The pattern adjusts slightly (e.g., mabniyy).
Absolutely, it is very common.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Participio pasado (-ado/-ido)
Arabic uses a root-pattern system.
Participe passé
Arabic is template-based.
Partizip II
Arabic is strictly root-based.
Te-form + iru
Arabic is a single word.
Ism al-Maf'ūl
None.
Bei-structure
Arabic is morphological.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
The Passive Participle (Maktūb Pattern)
Overview The Arabic **Passive Participle**, known as `Ism al-Maf'ūl` (اِسْم الْمَفْعُول), functions as an adjective deri...
Arabic Roots: The DNA of Words (k-t-b)
Overview At the heart of the Arabic language lies a unique and powerful system: the **Tri-consonantal Root System**, oft...
Arabic Nouns from Roots: Doers and Objects (Faa'il & Maf'uul)
Overview Arabic, unlike many languages, organizes its vocabulary around a system of **triliteral roots** (الجذر الثلاثي,...
Arabic Passive Participle: The 'Done-To' Words (ism al-maf'ul)
Overview In Arabic, the language often describes actions and their direct impact on people or things. The **Passive Part...
The Action Noun: Masdar (Eating, Sleeping, Working)
Overview Imagine you want to talk about an action, not as something happening at a specific time, but as a concept or a...
