A1 Case System 16 min read Easy

Tamyiiz: The Specifier (Clarifying 'In What Way')

Use an indefinite, singular, accusative noun to specify 'in what way' something is bigger, better, or counted.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Tamyiiz is a noun in the accusative case that clarifies an ambiguous preceding word or sentence.

  • Use it after numbers 11-99: 'I have eleven stars' (عندي أحد عشر كوكباً).
  • Use it after measurements: 'I drank a cup of water' (شربت كوباً ماءً).
  • Use it to clarify vague verbs: 'He increased in knowledge' (ازداد علماً).
Vague Word/Number + [Noun in Accusative Case (Tanween Fath)]

Overview

Arabic, like many languages, requires precision to avoid misunderstandings. Sometimes, a statement can feel incomplete or vague, leaving the listener to guess your exact meaning. This is where التَمْيِيز (at-tamyīz), or The Specifier, becomes indispensable.

It functions as a grammatical device to remove ambiguity from an otherwise unclear word or sentence, making your communication clear and exact.

Imagine saying, "I have twenty." Without further clarification, this statement is meaningless. Twenty what? Twenty friends, twenty years, twenty dollars?

The tamyīz answers this crucial "in what way?" or "what exactly?" question. It brings specificity to numbers, measurements, comparisons, and certain verbal expressions, refining your thoughts into crystal-clear Arabic. Mastering tamyīz elevates your language from merely functional to genuinely precise and articulate.

Grammatically, tamyīz is almost always a singular, indefinite noun placed in the accusative case (manṣūb). This accusative case is typically marked by tanwīn al-fatḥ (the double fathah, written as ـاً or ـً for words ending in ة or ء preceded by an ا). This consistent grammatical form makes tamyīz relatively easy to identify once you understand its function and common contexts.

It serves as a linguistic 'zoom lens,' focusing on the exact aspect being clarified.

How This Grammar Works

At its core, tamyīz clarifies an element in a sentence that is inherently vague. This vague element is called the المُمَيَّز (al-mumayyiz), literally 'the distinguished' or 'the specified thing,' while the tamyīz itself is the 'distinguisher' or 'specifier.' The interaction between the mumayyiz and the tamyīz is fundamental: the mumayyiz presents a general idea, and the tamyīz narrows it down to a specific category or attribute.
There are two primary types of mumayyiz, categorized by the source of the vagueness:
  1. 1تَمْيِيزُ الذَّاتِ (Word-based Tamyīz / Tamyīz of the Essence):
This type of tamyīz clarifies a single, specific word in the sentence that is vague by its very nature. These words typically fall into categories of quantity or measure:
  • Numbers: Specifically numbers from 11 to 99 (e.g., أحد عشر, خمسة وستون). When you say "eleven," you immediately think, "eleven of what?" The tamyīz answers this directly. For instance, in عندي أحد عشر كتاباً (I have eleven books), كتاباً (kitāban) clarifies the number أحد عشر (aḥada ‘ashara).
  • Measurements: Words denoting length, volume, weight, or area (e.g., متر - meter, كيلو - kilo, كوب - cup, فدان - acre). Saying "a kilo" requires tamyīz to specify "a kilo of what?" In اشتريتُ كيلاً تفاحاً (I bought a kilo of apples), تفاحاً (tuffāḥan) specifies the measure كيلاً (kīlan).
  • Quantities: Words like كم (how much/many), كذا (such-and-such, so many). These inherently call for clarification. The tamyīz provides the specific item or unit. For example, كم طالباً في الفصل؟ (How many students are in the class?). Here, طالباً (ṭāliban) clarifies the ambiguous كم (kam).
In all these cases, the tamyīz directly follows and clarifies a specific, preceding noun. The linguistic principle here is that these quantifiable nouns are incomplete without a unit of counting or measurement.
  1. 1تَمْيِيزُ النِّسْبَةِ (Sentence-based Tamyīz / Tamyīz of Proportion/Relationship):
This type of tamyīz clarifies an ambiguity in the relationship or proportion expressed by the entire sentence, not just a single word. The vagueness isn't in a noun of quantity, but in the nature of an action, a state, or a comparison. It often clarifies verbs or ideas that express increase, decrease, superiority, or transformation.
This form of tamyīz is frequently found after:
  • Comparative/Superlative Adjectives (أفعل التفضيل): Words like أجمل (more beautiful), أكبر (bigger), أكثر (more), أفضل (better). If you say, "He is more knowledgeable," you might wonder, "more knowledgeable in what aspect?" The tamyīz answers this. For example, هو أكثر مني علماً (He is more than me in knowledge). علماً (‘ilman) clarifies the nature of his 'more-ness.'
  • Verbs of Filling, Increasing, or Transformation: Verbs such as امتلأ (to fill), ازداد (to increase), فاض (to overflow), طاب (to become pleasant). امتلأ الكأس ماءً (The glass filled with water). The verb امتلأ is vague; ماءً (māʾan) specifies what it filled with. The verb implies a change, and the tamyīz clarifies the object of that change.
  • Expressions of Praise or Blame: Like نِعْمَ (what an excellent...), بِئْسَ (what a terrible...). In نِعْمَ رجلاً زيدٌ (What an excellent man Zayd is!), رجلاً (rajulan) clarifies the general praise نعم by specifying the category of Zayd's excellence.
In both types, the tamyīz provides crucial information that the mumayyiz (whether a word or a sentence's implicit relationship) inherently lacks, thereby completing the meaning with precise detail. The root of tamyīz is م ي ز, meaning "to distinguish, to differentiate, to separate." This etymology perfectly captures its grammatical function: it distinguishes and separates the precise meaning from potential ambiguities.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming tamyīz follows a remarkably consistent and straightforward pattern. The key is to remember its core characteristics: it is nearly always a singular, indefinite noun in the accusative case (manṣūb).
2
Here's how to construct it:
3
Identify the Mumayyiz: First, locate the vague word (like a number or measure) or the vague relationship (like a comparative adjective or a verb of increase) that needs clarification.
4
Choose the Clarifying Noun: Select the noun that precisely defines what the mumayyiz is referring to. This noun will become your tamyīz.
5
Ensure it is Singular: The tamyīz must be in its singular form, even if it clarifies a plural concept like "eleven books." It specifies the type or unit, not the individual items. For example, كتاب (a book) for أحد عشر كتاباً (eleven books), not كتب (books).
6
Ensure it is Indefinite: The tamyīz must not have the definite article الـ (al-). It should always be indefinite, indicating a general category rather than a specific, known item. So, طالباً (a student) not الطالب (the student).
7
Place it in the Accusative Case (Manṣūb): This is the most crucial morphological marker. The accusative case is typically shown by tanwīn al-fatḥ (double fathah). This tanwīn is usually written over the letter before a final ا (alif), or directly over the ة (tāʾ marbūṭa) or the ء (hamza) if it's at the end of the word and preceded by ا.
8
Here’s a table demonstrating the tanwīn al-fatḥ application for various noun endings:
9
| Original Noun (Nominative, Indefinite) | Tamyīz Form (Accusative, Indefinite) | Example |
10
| :------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------- |
11
| كِتَابٌ (kitābun - book) | كِتَاباً (kitāban) | اشتريت أحد عشر كِتَاباً. (I bought eleven books.) |
12
| طَالِبٌ (ṭālibun - student) | طَالِباً (ṭāliban) | في الفصل عشرون طَالِباً. (There are twenty students in the class.) |
13
| مَدْرَسَةٌ (madrasatun - school) | مَدْرَسَةً (madrasatan) | المشروع أكثر أهميةً مَدْرَسَةً. (The project is more important for a school.) |
14
| سَمَاءٌ (samāʾun - sky) | سَمَاءً (samāʾan) | امتلأت الأرض سَمَاءً زرقاء. (The earth filled with blue sky.) |
15
| بِنَاءٌ (bināʾun - building) | بِنَاءً (bināʾan) | المدينة أجمل بِنَاءً. (The city is more beautiful in construction.) |
16
Notice that for words ending in ة (tāʾ marbūṭa) or ء preceded by ا, the alif is not added after the tanwīn al-fatḥ. For most other nouns, an alif is appended. This specific tanwīn is the strongest visual and phonetic cue that you are dealing with a tamyīz.

When To Use It

Tamyīz is a versatile tool for precision, crucial in several common grammatical contexts. You'll find yourself using it whenever you need to clarify a quantity, a measure, a comparison, or the specific aspect of an action or state.
  1. 1After Numbers 11 to 99: This is one of the most frequent and essential uses for beginner learners. Arabic numbers between 11 and 99 (أحد عشر to تسعة وتسعون) always require a singular, indefinite, accusative tamyīz. This rule is strict and applies universally. This differs from numbers 3-10, which take a plural noun in the genitive case.
  • عندي اثنا عشر قلماً. (ʿindī ithnā ‘ashara qalaman.) – I have twelve pens.
  • رأيتُ تسعة وتسعين بيتاً. (raʾaytu tis‘ata wa tis‘īna baytan.) – I saw ninety-nine houses.
  1. 1After Measures, Weights, and Quantities: Whenever you state a unit of measure or a general quantity, tamyīz specifies what is being measured or quantified. This makes your shopping, cooking, or general descriptive language much clearer.
  • Weights: اشتريتُ كيلوغراماً لحماً. (ishtaraytu kīlūghrāman laḥman.) – I bought a kilogram of meat.
  • Volumes: شربتُ كوباً حليباً. (sharibtu kūban ḥalīban.) – I drank a cup of milk.
  • Lengths/Areas: اشتريتُ متراً قماشاً. (ishtaraytu mitran qumāshan.) – I bought a meter of fabric.
  • General Quantities: ما عندهُ ذرةٌ شكٍّ. (mā ‘indahu dharratun shakk.) – He has not a speck of doubt (though شكٍّ here is genitive, this is an exception often treated as tamyīz by grammarians due to similar clarifying function after ذرة). For A1, stick to accusative. A more direct example: كم قلماً اشتريتَ؟ (kam qalaman ishtarayta?) - How many pens did you buy?
  1. 1After Comparative and Superlative Adjectives (أفعل التفضيل): When you use words like أكبر (bigger), أجمل (more beautiful), أذكى (smarter), أكثر (more), etc., tamyīz is crucial to specify the aspect of comparison. Without it, the comparison can feel incomplete.
  • هو أكبر مني سنّاً. (huwa akbaru minnī sinnan.) – He is older than me in age.
  • هذه المدينة أجمل بناءً. (hādhihi al-madīnatu ajmalu bināʾan.) – This city is more beautiful in construction.
  • أنا أكثر منك مالاً. (anā aktharu minka mālan.) – I have more money than you.
  1. 1After Verbs Expressing Increase, Decrease, Filling, or Transformation: Many verbs inherently suggest a change in state or quantity. The tamyīz clarifies what increased, what filled, or what became pleasant. These verbs often express a Mumayyiz Nisbah (sentence-based vagueness).
  • امتلأت الغرفة نوراً. (imtalaʾat al-ghurfatu nūran.) – The room filled with light.
  • ازداد الطالب علماً. (izdāda aṭ-ṭālibu ‘ilman.) – The student increased in knowledge.
  • طاب المكان هواءً. (ṭāba al-makānu hawāʾan.) – The place became pleasant in air.
  • زرعت الأرض قطناً. (zara‘tu al-arḍa quṭnan.) – I planted the land with cotton (literally: I planted the land as cotton).
In essence, if you feel a sentence is vague and needs a specific category or aspect to be named, consider whether tamyīz is the appropriate grammatical solution. It’s a powerful tool for clarity and expressiveness in Arabic.

Common Mistakes

Even native speakers sometimes make minor errors with tamyīz, but for learners, certain pitfalls are particularly common. Being aware of these will help you avoid miscommunication and sound more natural and accurate.
  1. 1Using مِنْ (min - of/from): This is arguably the most frequent mistake. English speakers are accustomed to saying "a cup of coffee" or "a kilo of apples." A literal translation using مِنْ is incorrect when tamyīz is required. The tamyīz inherently conveys the "of" meaning without needing the preposition.
  • Incorrect: اشتريتُ كيلوغراماً من التفاح.
  • Correct: اشتريتُ كيلوغراماً تفاحاً. (ishtaraytu kīlūghrāman tuffāḥan.) – I bought a kilogram of apples.
  1. 1Pluralizing the Tamyīz: With numbers 11-99, and with measures/weights, the tamyīz must always be singular. This is a departure from many other languages where the noun clarifying a plural number would also be plural. Remember, tamyīz specifies the category or type.
  • Incorrect: عندي أحد عشر كتباً. (kutuban is plural of kitāb)
  • Correct: عندي أحد عشر كتاباً. (ʿindī aḥada ‘ashara kitāban.) – I have eleven books.
  1. 1Forgetting Tanwīn al-Fatḥ (or misapplying it): The tanwīn al-fatḥ (ـاً or ـً) is the primary marker of tamyīz. Omitting it or incorrectly placing a single fathah can change the noun's case and grammatical function, leading to confusion.
  • Incorrect: هو أفضل طالب في الصف. (This might mean 'He is the best student in the class,' where طالب is an iḍāfah construction, not tamyīz.)
  • Correct: هو أفضل مني طالباً. (huwa afḍalu minnī ṭāliban.) – He is better than me as a student.
  1. 1Making the Tamyīz Definite (الـ): Tamyīz is fundamentally about clarifying a general category, thus it must remain indefinite. Using الـ (al-) before the tamyīz is incorrect.
  • Incorrect: امتلأ الكأس الماءَ.
  • Correct: امتلأ الكأس ماءً. (imtalaʾa al-kaʾsu māʾan.) – The glass filled with water.
  1. 1Confusing Tamyīz with Ṣifah (Adjective) and Ḥāl (State):
These three grammatical elements can sometimes appear similar because they all provide additional information about a noun or a verb. However, their functions are distinct.
  • Ṣifah (Adjective - النَّعْت):
  • Function: Describes a quality of a specific noun. It agrees with the noun in definiteness, gender, number, and case.
  • Example: البيتُ الكبيرُ. (al-baytu al-kabīru.) – The big house.
  • Ḥāl (State - الحال):
  • Function: Describes the manner or state of the subject or object at the time an action occurs. It's typically an indefinite noun in the accusative case, clarifying how something happened.
  • Example: جاء الرجلُ ضاحكاً. (jāʾa ar-rajulu ḍāḥikan.) – The man came laughing.
  • Tamyīz (Specifier - التَّمْيِيز):
  • Function: Clarifies an ambiguity in a number, measure, or an abstract relationship (e.g., in what aspect a comparison holds, or what filled a space). It is always an indefinite noun in the accusative case.
  • Example: المدينةُ أكبرُ مساحةً. (al-madīnatu akbaru masāḥatan.) – The city is bigger in area.
Here's a comparative table:
| Feature | Ṣifah (Adjective) | Ḥāl (State) | Tamyīz (Specifier) |
| :---------------- | :---------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------- |
| What it clarifies | A noun's quality | The state of a subject/object during an action | Ambiguity in quantity, measure, or relationship |
| Grammar | Agrees with noun (definiteness, gender, number, case) | Indefinite, Accusative (manṣūb), usually singular | Indefinite, Accusative (manṣūb), always singular |
| Question it answers | Which one? / What kind? | How? | In what way? / What exactly? / Of what? |
| Example | البيتُ الكبيرُ (The big house) | جاء سعيدٌ مسروراً (Sa’īd came happily) | البيتُ أكبرُ مساحةً (The house is bigger in area) |
Understanding these distinctions is crucial for precise Arabic expression. While all three are manṣūb (often), their underlying functions and the questions they answer are fundamentally different.

Real Conversations

Tamyīz is not just a grammatical concept; it's an active and essential component of everyday Arabic conversation, writing, and even digital communication. It allows speakers to be concise yet unambiguous, reflecting a characteristic preference in Arabic for directness once the general subject is established.

S

Shopping and Ordering

When dealing with quantities, tamyīz is indispensable. Whether you're at a souk (market) or a grocery store, you'll hear and use it constantly.

- أريدُ اثني عشرَ بيضةً لو سمحتَ. (urīdu ithnay ‘ashara bayḍatan law samaḥta.) – I want twelve eggs, please.

- كم كيلاً تفاحاً تُريد؟ (kam kīlan tuffāḥan turīd?) – How many kilos of apples do you want?

Making Comparisons and Describing Attributes: Tamyīz naturally follows comparative adjectives when you want to specify the exact domain of comparison. This is very common in describing people, places, or even experiences.

- أختي أصغرُ مني سناً. (ukhtī aṣgharu minnī sinnan.) – My sister is younger than me in age.

- القاهرةُ أكبرُ المدنِ العربيةِ سكاناً. (al-qāhiratu akbaru al-muduni al-‘arabiyyati sukkānan.) – Cairo is the largest of Arab cities in population.

- هو أحسنُ الناسِ خلقاً. (huwa aḥsanu an-nāsi khuluqan.) – He is the best of people in character.

Expressing Change or Transformation: When discussing how something has changed or what it has become, tamyīz provides the crucial detail.

- ازدادَ عملي صعوبةً. (izdāda ‘amalī ṣu‘ūbatan.) – My work increased in difficulty.

- فاضَ النهرُ ماءً بعد المطر. (fāḍa an-nahru māʾan ba‘da al-maṭar.) – The river overflowed with water after the rain.

S

Social Media and Texting

Even in informal contexts, tamyīz maintains its function for clarity and impact. When summarizing achievements or observations, it provides specific data.

- الصفحةُ حصلت على مئةِ ألفِ متابعاً! (aṣ-ṣafḥatu ḥaṣalat ‘alā miʾati alfi mutābi‘an!) – The page got one hundred thousand followers!

- اليومَ أفضلُ من أمسٍ مزاجاً. (al-yawma afḍalu min amsin mizājan.) – Today is better than yesterday in mood.

Arabic culture often values precision and eloquence. The use of tamyīz allows for a concise yet detailed expression, enabling speakers to convey complex nuances without verbose constructions. It's a testament to the language's structural elegance, providing clarity with minimal linguistic overhead.

Quick FAQ

Here are some common questions that arise when learning about tamyīz, along with their concise answers.
  • Q: Does tamyīz always come at the very end of the sentence?
  • A: Not necessarily the absolute end of the sentence, but it always follows the word or phrase it clarifies (mumayyiz) directly or very closely. Its position is determined by the element it needs to specify.
  • Q: Why is tamyīz always singular when clarifying a plural number like 11-99?
  • A: Because tamyīz functions as a generic noun or a unit of classification. When you say "eleven books" in Arabic, كتاباً (kitāban) specifies the kind of item being counted, not the individual plural instances. It's like saying "eleven of the book-kind."
  • Q: Can tamyīz ever be plural?
  • A: No, not in its standard use with numbers 11-99 or measures/weights, where it must be singular. However, for numbers 3-10, the noun that follows is plural and in the genitive case, which is a different grammatical rule (إضافة) and not tamyīz in the strict sense. For tamyīz, stick to the singular.
  • Q: Is tamyīz always indefinite (nakirah)?
  • A: Yes, tamyīz must always be indefinite. It clarifies a general category or aspect, not a specific, known entity. If it were definite, it would likely serve a different grammatical function.
  • Q: Is tanwīn al-fatḥ (ـاً / ـً) always present? What if I forget it?
  • A: For an indefinite noun in the accusative case to function as tamyīz, tanwīn al-fatḥ is its essential marker. Forgetting it or using a single fatḥah would grammatically change the word's case or render it ambiguous. While native speakers might still understand in casual speech, it indicates a grammatical error and affects the clarity and correctness of your Arabic.
  • Q: How can I tell the difference between tamyīz and ḥāl (state) if both are indefinite and in the accusative case?
  • A: Ask yourself what question the word answers:
  • If it answers "In what way?" / "What exactly?" / "Of what?" and clarifies a vague quantity, measure, comparison, or abstract relationship, it's tamyīz.
  • If it answers "How?" and describes the state or manner of an actor or object during an action, it's ḥāl.
  • For example: هو أكثر مني مالاً. (mālan answers "more in what way?" -> tamyīz) vs. جاء الرجل مسروراً. (masrūran answers "how did the man come?" -> ḥāl).
  • Q: Is tamyīz used in formal written Arabic (e.g., newspapers, academic texts) or primarily in spoken Arabic?
  • A: Tamyīz is an integral part of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and is used extensively in all forms of written communication, including literature, journalism, and academic writing. It is also very common in educated spoken Arabic. It's a standard grammatical structure, not limited to one register.
  • Q: What is the benefit of using tamyīz over other constructions?
  • A: Tamyīz offers conciseness and directness. Instead of using longer prepositional phrases (e.g., "in terms of," "with respect to"), tamyīz provides a single, clear noun to specify meaning, making the language more elegant and efficient. It is a highly idiomatic structure that enriches your ability to express precise details in Arabic.

Tamyiiz Formation Structure

Vague Element Tamyiiz (Accusative) Translation
عشرون
طالباً
Twenty students
كيلو
تفاحاً
A kilo of apples
أكثر
مالاً
More in wealth
كوب
ماءً
A cup of water
أحد عشر
كوكباً
Eleven stars
لتر
حليباً
A liter of milk

Meanings

Tamyiiz is a noun that removes ambiguity from a preceding word or phrase. It answers the question 'in what way?' or 'regarding what?'

1

Tamyiiz of Measurement

Clarifying weight, volume, or distance.

“اشتريتُ كيلو تفاحاً”

“عندي لتر حليباً”

2

Tamyiiz of Numbers

Clarifying the noun counted after numbers 11-99.

“رأيتُ أحد عشر كوكباً”

“في الفصل عشرون طالباً”

3

Tamyiiz of Relationship

Clarifying a vague comparison or state.

“أنا أكثرُ منك مالاً”

“طابَ المكانُ هواءً”

Reference Table

Reference table for Tamyiiz: The Specifier (Clarifying 'In What Way')
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Number + Noun (Acc)
عندي عشرون قلماً
Negative
Number + Noun (Acc)
ليس عندي عشرون قلماً
Question
كم + Noun (Acc)
كم قلماً عندك؟
Comparison
Adjective + Noun (Acc)
أنا أكبرُ منك سناً
Measurement
Measure + Noun (Acc)
اشتريتُ رطلاً لحماً
State
Verb + Noun (Acc)
ازدادَ المطرُ غزارةً

Formality Spectrum

Formal
لدي عشرون دولاراً.

لدي عشرون دولاراً. (Money)

Neutral
عندي عشرون دولاراً.

عندي عشرون دولاراً. (Money)

Informal
معي عشرين دولار.

معي عشرين دولار. (Money)

Slang
معي عشرين دولار.

معي عشرين دولار. (Money)

The Tamyiiz Map

Tamyiiz

Measurements

  • كيلو kilo

Numbers

  • عشرون twenty

Qualities

  • أكثر more
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Examples by Level

1

عندي خمسة أقلاماً

I have five pens.

2

اشتريتُ كيلو تفاحاً

I bought a kilo of apples.

3

شربتُ كوباً حليباً

I drank a cup of milk.

4

في الغرفة عشرة كراسي

In the room are ten chairs.

1

اشتريتُ عشرين كتاباً

I bought twenty books.

2

أكلتُ رطلاً لحماً

I ate a pound of meat.

3

سرتُ خمسة أميالٍ طريقاً

I walked five miles of road.

4

عندي أحد عشر درهماً

I have eleven dirhams.

1

ازدادَ الرجلُ علماً

The man increased in knowledge.

2

أنا أكثرُ منك مالاً

I am wealthier than you.

3

طابَ المكانُ هواءً

The place became pleasant in air.

4

امتلاَ الكوبُ ماءً

The cup filled with water.

1

كفى باللهِ شهيداً

God is sufficient as a witness.

2

ما رأيتُ مثلَ هذا رجلاً

I have not seen a man like this.

3

تصببَ العرقُ عرقاً

Sweat poured down.

4

اشتعلَ الرأسُ شيباً

The head ignited with gray hair.

1

هو أعلمُ الناسِ خلقاً

He is the most knowledgeable of people in character.

2

ما كانَ أحسنَ زيداً أدباً

How good Zaid is in manners!

3

لا يضاهيه أحدٌ شجاعةً

No one rivals him in courage.

4

أقررتُ عيناً برؤيتك

My eyes were cooled by seeing you.

1

فجرنا الأرضَ عيوناً

We caused the earth to gush forth with springs.

2

أعظمُ بهِ رجلاً

How great a man he is!

3

كفى بالمرءِ إثماً

It is enough sin for a person.

4

طابَ المقامُ سكناً

The residence became pleasant as a home.

Easily Confused

Tamyiiz: The Specifier (Clarifying 'In What Way') vs Haal

Both are accusative nouns.

Tamyiiz: The Specifier (Clarifying 'In What Way') vs Maf'ool Bihi

Both are accusative.

Tamyiiz: The Specifier (Clarifying 'In What Way') vs Idafa

Both involve two nouns.

Common Mistakes

✗

عندي عشرون طالبٌ

✓

عندي عشرون طالباً

Tamyiiz must be accusative.
✗

اشتريت كيلو تفاح

✓

اشتريت كيلو تفاحاً

Missing Tanween Fath.
✗

أنا أكثر منك مال

✓

أنا أكثر منك مالاً

Missing accusative marker.
✗

شربت كوب ماء

✓

شربت كوباً ماءً

Both should be marked.
✗

عندي أحد عشر كتاب

✓

عندي أحد عشر كتاباً

Needs accusative.
✗

سرت ميل طريق

✓

سرت ميلاً طريقاً

Needs accusative.
✗

أكلت رطل لحم

✓

أكلت رطلاً لحماً

Needs accusative.
✗

هو أعلم الناس خلق

✓

هو أعلم الناس خلقاً

Needs accusative.
✗

ازداد الرجل علم

✓

ازداد الرجل علماً

Needs accusative.
✗

طاب المكان هواء

✓

طاب المكان هواءً

Needs accusative.
✗

ما رأيت مثل هذا رجل

✓

ما رأيت مثل هذا رجلاً

Needs accusative.
✗

تصبب العرق عرق

✓

تصبب العرق عرقاً

Needs accusative.
✗

كفى بالله شهيد

✓

كفى بالله شهيداً

Needs accusative.

Sentence Patterns

عندي ___ ___.

اشتريت ___ ___.

أنا أكثر منك ___.

ازداد المكان ___.

Real World Usage

Grocery Shopping constant

أريد كيلو تفاحاً.

Counting Money very common

عندي عشرون دولاراً.

Social Media common

الجو جميل جواً.

Job Interview common

ازددت خبرةً في هذا المجال.

Travel occasional

سرتُ خمسة أميالٍ.

Food Delivery very common

أريد كوباً شاياً.

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💡

Listen for the 'an'

When you hear an 'an' sound after a number, that's your Tamyiiz!
⚠️

Don't forget the Tanween

Without the Tanween Fath, it's not a proper Tamyiiz.
🎯

Keep it close

Always place the Tamyiiz right after the vague word.
💬

Dialect vs. MSA

In casual speech, people might skip the Tanween, but always use it in writing.

Smart Tips

Always add the 'an' sound to the noun.

عندي عشرون قلم → عندي عشرون قلماً

Use the measurement + Tamyiiz pattern.

أريد كيلو تفاح → أريد كيلو تفاحاً

Use 'أكثر' + Tamyiiz.

أنا أكثر صبر → أنا أكثر صبراً

Use a verb + Tamyiiz.

المكان طاب هواء → طاب المكان هواءً

Pronunciation

Taliban (T-a-l-i-b-a-n)

Tanween Fath

The 'an' sound at the end of the word.

Clarifying

اشتريتُ كيلو... تفاحاً

Pause slightly before the Tamyiiz to emphasize the clarification.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Tamyiiz is the 'What-is-it' word. If you feel the sentence is incomplete, add the 'an' sound to finish the thought.

Visual Association

Imagine a blurry, foggy window. The Tamyiiz is the cloth that wipes the fog away, revealing the clear object underneath.

Rhyme

When the number is eleven to ninety-nine, the noun is accusative, that is fine!

Story

Ali went to the market. He said 'I want a kilo.' The merchant looked confused. Ali added 'sugar!' (سكراً). The merchant smiled and gave him the sugar. Now Ali always uses Tamyiiz.

Word Web

كيلولتررطلأكثرأقلعشرونعلماً

Challenge

Look at 5 items in your room and describe them using a measurement + Tamyiiz (e.g., 'a cup of coffee').

Cultural Notes

In spoken Levantine, the Tanween is often dropped, but the accusative form is still understood.

Similar to Levantine, the case endings are dropped in daily speech.

In formal writing and news, the Tanween Fath is strictly required.

Tamyiiz comes from the root 'm-y-z', meaning to distinguish or separate.

Conversation Starters

“

كم كتاباً قرأت هذا الشهر؟

“

ماذا اشتريت من السوق اليوم؟

“

هل أنت أكثر صبراً من صديقك؟

“

ما الذي يجعلك سعيداً؟

Journal Prompts

Write about your shopping list.
Describe your classroom.
Compare yourself to a friend.
Describe a place you visited.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct Tamyiiz form.

عندي عشرون ___ (كتاب).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: كتاباً
Numbers 11-99 take accusative Tamyiiz.
Select the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: اشتريت كيلو تفاحاً
Measurement needs accusative Tamyiiz.
Fix the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

ازداد الرجل علمٌ.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ازداد الرجل علماً
Needs accusative.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: عندي عشرون قلماً
Standard word order.
Translate to Arabic. Translation

I have eleven pens.

Answer starts with: عند...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: عندي أحد عشر قلماً
Numbers 11-99 take accusative.
Match the vague word to its Tamyiiz. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: تفاحاً
Kilo is a measurement.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: كم ___ عندك؟ B: عندي عشرون قلماً.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: قلماً
Question uses accusative.
Transform to Tamyiiz. Sentence Transformation

Change 'The man is knowledgeable' to 'The man increased in knowledge'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ازداد الرجل علماً
Verb + Tamyiiz.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct Tamyiiz form.

عندي عشرون ___ (كتاب).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: كتاباً
Numbers 11-99 take accusative Tamyiiz.
Select the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: اشتريت كيلو تفاحاً
Measurement needs accusative Tamyiiz.
Fix the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

ازداد الرجل علمٌ.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ازداد الرجل علماً
Needs accusative.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

عشرون / قلماً / عندي

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: عندي عشرون قلماً
Standard word order.
Translate to Arabic. Translation

I have eleven pens.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: عندي أحد عشر قلماً
Numbers 11-99 take accusative.
Match the vague word to its Tamyiiz. Match Pairs

Match: كيلو -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: تفاحاً
Kilo is a measurement.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: كم ___ عندك؟ B: عندي عشرون قلماً.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: قلماً
Question uses accusative.
Transform to Tamyiiz. Sentence Transformation

Change 'The man is knowledgeable' to 'The man increased in knowledge'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ازداد الرجل علماً
Verb + Tamyiiz.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Complete the sentence: I have 30 ___ (day). Fill in the Blank

عندي ثلاثون ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: يوماً
Put the words in order: (Better / This / speed / computer / in) Sentence Reorder

سرعةً / هذا / أفضلُ / الحاسوبُ

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هذا الحاسوبُ أفضلُ سرعةً
Translate: 'A kilo of apples' Translation

Translate to Arabic using Tamyiiz.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: كيلو تفاحاً
Which one is Tamyiiz? Multiple Choice

في الجملة 'أنا أكثر منك علماً'، الكلمة التمييز هي:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: علماً
Fix the number agreement. Error Correction

رأيتُ أحد عشر رجلاً.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Correct as is.
Match the vague word with the appropriate Tamyiiz. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ليتر : حليباً
The room is wide in ___ (area). Fill in the Blank

الغرفة واسعة ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: مساحةً
Identify the Tamyiiz in a verse context. Multiple Choice

قال تعالى: 'إني رأيت أحد عشر كوكباً'. أين التمييز؟

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: كوكباً
I am the shortest in height. Sentence Reorder

أنا / طولاً / الأقصرُ

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: أنا الأقصرُ طولاً
Translate: '12 months' Translation

Translate to Arabic.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: اثنا عشر شهراً

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Yes, it is always in the accusative case (Mansoub).

Usually it is singular, especially after numbers.

To remove ambiguity from vague words.

Yes, every time you shop or count.

Tamyiiz clarifies a noun; Haal describes a state.

It will sound grammatically incorrect to native speakers.

It is essential for formal writing.

Some numbers have specific rules, but the accusative Tamyiiz is standard.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish low

Prepositional phrases (e.g., 'un kilo de manzanas')

Arabic uses case endings; Spanish uses prepositions.

French low

Prepositional phrases (e.g., 'un kilo de pommes')

Arabic is synthetic; French is analytic.

German moderate

Compound nouns or genitive (e.g., 'ein Kilo Äpfel')

Case usage differs.

Japanese low

Counter particles (e.g., 'ringo go-ko')

Japanese uses particles.

Chinese low

Measure words (e.g., 'yi ge pingguo')

Chinese lacks case.

Arabic high

Tamyiiz

None.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Specifying Amounts: Arabic Tamyiiz (The Clarifier Case)

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