The Magic 'K': Comparisons with ك (Like/As)
ك to the start of any noun to say it is like that thing.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The prefix 'كـ' (ka) acts like the English 'like' or 'as' to show similarity between two things.
- Attach 'كـ' directly to the start of the noun: كَـقَمَر (like a moon).
- It does not take a space; it is a prefix: كَـبَيْت (like a house).
- The noun following 'كـ' usually takes a kasra (i) ending: كَـرَجُلٍ (like a man).
Overview
Arabic, a language renowned for its conciseness and rich morphology, often conveys complex ideas through compact linguistic structures. One such powerful and frequently encountered structure is the particle ك (kāf), which serves as a core tool for comparison. Meaning 'like' or 'as' in English, ك allows you to draw vivid similes and describe qualities by relating them to something else.
For A1 learners, mastering ك provides an immediate and effective way to enhance descriptive capabilities.
At its heart, ك is a preposition (حَرْفُ جَرٍّ - ḥarf jarr). In Arabic grammar, prepositions are crucial elements that link nouns or pronouns to other parts of a sentence, primarily governing the case of the noun that follows them. Unlike its English equivalents 'like' or 'as', which are standalone words, ك is always a prefix that directly attaches to the beginning of the noun it modifies.
This agglutinative characteristic is common in Arabic, where particles often fuse with words, demonstrating the language's elegant efficiency. For example, to say 'like the moon', Arabic doesn't use two separate words but rather the single unit كَالْقَمَرِ (kal-qamari). This prefixing mechanism allows for compact and fluid expression, making ك an indispensable element in both formal and colloquial Arabic communication.
How This Grammar Works
ك lies in its identity as a preposition (حرف جر - ḥarf jarr). In Arabic, any noun immediately following a preposition must be in the genitive case (حالة الجر - ḥālat al-jarr), also known as Majrūr (مجرور). This is a foundational rule of Arabic syntax.ك attaches to a noun, it performs two key functions simultaneously:- 1It establishes a comparison: It signals that the noun it precedes is being used as a reference point for a simile, meaning 'like' or 'as'.
- 2It governs the noun's case: As a preposition, it mandates that the noun immediately following it must adopt the genitive case. This ensures grammatical correctness and clarifies the noun's role in the sentence. For instance, in
هُوَ قَوِيٌّ كَالْجَبَلِ(Huwa qawiyyun kal-jabali - He is strong like the mountain),الْجَبَلِ(al-jabali) is in the genitive case due to the precedingك.
كِتَابٌ (kitābun - a book), which is in the nominative case (مرفوع - marfūʿ). If you want to say 'like a book', you attach ك and change the case ending: كَكِتَابٍ (ka-kitābin). Notice the kasratayn on بٍ (bin) indicating both indefiniteness and the genitive case.الرِّيحُ (ar-rīḥu - the wind), which is nominative, 'like the wind' becomes كَالرِّيحِ (kar-rīḥi), with a kasra on حِ (ḥi).ك, to convey grammatical relationships concisely. Understanding this deep connection between prepositions and case marking is crucial for building a solid foundation in Arabic grammar.ك functions syntactically as a Majrūr bi-l-ḥarf (مجرور بالحرف - governed by the preposition), making its relationship with the rest of the sentence unequivocally clear.Formation Pattern
ك is a straightforward process once you understand its prefix nature and its effect on noun case endings. The basic pattern involves taking a noun and directly attaching ك to its beginning, ensuring the noun is subsequently in the genitive case. This applies to both indefinite and definite nouns.
ك precedes an indefinite noun, the noun will typically end with tanwīn al-kasr (كسرتين), which is the double kasra sign (ِِ ).
أَسَدٌ (asadun - a lion)
ك: كَأَسَدٍ (ka-asadin - like a lion)
طِفْلٌ (ṭiflun - a child)
ك: كَطِفْلٍ (ka-ṭiflin - like a child)
ال):
ك precedes a definite noun (which begins with ال - al-), the noun will end with a single kasra (كسرة - i). A key phonetic rule here is the elision of the hamzat al-waṣl (همزة الوصل - connecting hamza) of ال. This means the 'a' sound of al- is dropped, and ك connects directly to the ل (lām) of ال. If the noun begins with a sun letter, the ل of ال will assimilate to it.
الْقَمَرُ (al-qamaru - the moon)
ك: كَالْقَمَرِ (kal-qamari - like the moon) — Notice k + al- becomes kal-
الشَّمْسُ (ash-shamsu - the sun)
ك: كَالشَّمْسِ (kash-shamsi - like the sun) — Notice k + ash- becomes kash- due to sun letter assimilation
ك (Indefinite) | Form with ك (Definite) | Meaning | Notes |
بَحْرٌ (baḥrun) | كَبَحْرٍ (ka-baḥrin) | كَالْبَحْرِ (kal-baḥri) | Like a/the sea | Moon letter ب (bāʾ) after ال |
نَجْمٌ (najmun) | كَنَجْمٍ (ka-najmin) | كَالنَّجْمِ (kan-najmi) | Like a/the star | Sun letter ن (nūn) after ال, ل assimilates |
زَهْرَةٌ (zahratun) | كَزَهْرَةٍ (ka-zahratin) | كَالزَّهْرَةِ (kaz-zahratī) | Like a/the flower | Sun letter ز (zāy) after ال, ل assimilates |
حُلْمٌ (ḥulmun) | كَحُلْمٍ (ka-ḥulmin) | كَالْحُلْمِ (kal-ḥulmi) | Like a/the dream | Moon letter ح (ḥāʾ) after ال |
ك exclusively attaches to nouns. It cannot be prefixed to verbs (أفعال - afʿāl) or other particles (حروف - ḥurūf). Its grammatical domain is solely the noun, marking it for comparison and placing it in the genitive case.
When To Use It
ك is to form similes (تشبيه - tashbīh), directly comparing one noun to another to describe a quality or characteristic. This powerful particle allows you to enrich your descriptions and convey vivid imagery with remarkable conciseness. You use ك whenever you want to state that something is 'like' or 'as' something else.هِيَ جَمِيلَةٌ كَالْوَرْدَةِ.(Hiya jamīlatun kal-wardati. - She is beautiful like the rose.)- Here, 'beautiful' is described by comparing the person to the inherent beauty of a rose.
عَقْلُهُ حَادٌّ كَالسَّيْفِ.(ʿAqluhu ḥāddun kas-sayfi. - His mind is sharp like the sword.)- The sharpness of his mind is emphasized through the comparison with a sword.
ك strictly attaches to nouns, the noun chosen can often imply a state or manner of being or acting. This is particularly effective in short, impactful phrases.يَنَامُ كَالْأَطْفَالِ.(Yanāmu kal-aṭfāli. - He sleeps like children.)- This implies a peaceful, deep sleep, characteristic of children.
يَعْمَلُ كَالآلَةِ.(Yaʿmalu kal-ālati. - He works like a machine.)- This suggests working tirelessly and efficiently, without emotion.
ك is integral to many common Arabic idioms and fixed expressions, demonstrating its deep embedding in the language. Learning these phrases can significantly boost your natural communication.كَالسَّاعَةِ.(kas-sāʿati. - Like clockwork/punctually.)صَافٍ كَالشَّمْسِ.(ṣāfin kash-shamsi. - Clear as the sun/crystal clear.)سَرِيعٌ كَالْبَرْقِ.(sarīʿun kal-barqi. - Fast like lightning.)
ك to create rich metaphors and similes. For learners, using ك is a simple yet powerful way to add color and depth to your own expressions.ك is versatile, it's crucial to understand its specific role in comparison. It is always a direct, noun-to-noun analogy, focusing on a shared quality. It sets itself apart from other comparative structures by its prefix form, which lends itself to brevity and directness.ك is your go-to particle.Common Mistakes
ك. Recognizing these common errors and understanding the underlying grammatical principles will help you avoid them and achieve greater accuracy.ك from the Noun:ك is a prefix, not a standalone word. It must always be directly attached to the noun it modifies.- Incorrect:
ك القمر(ka al-qamar - with a space) - Correct:
كَالْقَمَرِ(kal-qamari) - Explanation:
كis a prepositional prefix and phonetically integrates with the following word, especially when it begins withال. Treating it as separate violates its morphological nature.
ك mandates that the noun following it must be in the genitive case. This means the final short vowel of the noun will be a kasra, or kasratayn for indefinite nouns.- Incorrect (indefinite):
كَكِتَابٌ(ka-kitābun) -كِتَابٌis nominative. - Correct (indefinite):
كَكِتَابٍ(ka-kitābin) - Incorrect (definite):
كَالْبَيْتُ(kal-baytu) -الْبَيْتُis nominative. - Correct (definite):
كَالْبَيْتِ(kal-bayti) - Explanation: The genitive case is a fundamental requirement after prepositions. Neglecting it leads to ungrammatical constructions. Pay close attention to the short vowels, especially at the end of words.
ك with Pronouns:ك cannot attach to pronouns (ضمائر - ḍamāʾir). Arabic has specific ways to express 'like me', 'like you', etc., which involve the noun مثل (mithl) followed by an attached pronoun.- Incorrect:
كَهُمْ(kahum - like them),كِي(kī - like me),كَأَنْتَ(ka-anta - like you) - Correct:
مِثْلُهُمْ(mithluhum - like them),مِثْلِي(mithlī - like me),مِثْلُكَ(mithluka - like you) - Explanation:
كis a particle designed to prefix to nouns. Pronouns, as independent grammatical units or attached suffixes, have different rules for modification.مثلfunctions as a noun that can then take pronominal suffixes.
ك with Verbs:ك is strictly for nouns. You cannot use it to compare actions directly by prefixing it to a verb.- Incorrect:
يَرْكُضُ كَ يَطِيرُ(yarkuḍu ka yaṭīru - he runs like he flies) —يَطِيرُis a verb. - Correct (using
كأن):كَأَنَّهُ يَرْكُضُ كَأَنَّهُ يَطِيرُ.(ka-annahu yarkuḍu ka-annahu yaṭīru - It is as if he is running as if he is flying.) or more simply:كَأَنَّهُ يَطِيرُ.(ka-annahu yaṭīru - It is as if he is flying.) - Explanation:
كserves to modify nouns. To express 'as if' an action is occurring, you need a different structure, typically involving the particleكأن(ka-anna) which takes a nominal sentence (noun + predicate or pronoun + predicate) in the accusative (منصوب - manṣūb).
ك with مثل (mithl) and كأن (ka-anna):ك (Kāf) | مثل (Mithl) | كأن (Ka-anna) |مِثْلُكَ (mithluka - like you) | YES: كَأَنَّهُ (ka-annahu - as if he) |كَأَنَّهُ يَرْكُضُ - as if he runs) |قَوِيٌّ كَالْأَسَدِ. (Strong like the lion.) | مِثْلُ الْأَسَدِ. (Like the lion.) | كَأَنَّهُ أَسَدٌ. (As if he is a lion.) |Real Conversations
Understanding how ك functions in real-world communication is essential for internalizing its usage. While often considered slightly more formal or literary, ك is universally understood and frequently appears in various contexts, from casual messaging to formal discourse. Its conciseness makes it particularly apt for modern digital communication.
1. Social Media and Texting (Chat):
In informal digital communication, ك is widely used to quickly convey a descriptive comparison. Its single-letter nature fits well with brevity.
- الصُّورَةُ كَالْحُلْمِ! (Aṣ-ṣūratu kal-ḥulmi! - The picture is like a dream!)
- Used as a quick compliment, expressing admiration for a beautiful photo.
- شُغْلِي الْيَوْمَ كَابُوسٍ. (Shughlī al-yawma ka-būsin. - My work today is like a nightmare.)
- A concise way to express frustration about a difficult day at work.
- جَوٌّ كَالْجَنَّةِ هُنَا. (Jawwun kal-jannati hunā. - The weather is like paradise here.)
- Describing pleasant weather in a short status update.
2. Casual Spoken Arabic (Modern Standard Arabic & Dialects):
While some dialects might lean more heavily on مثل for basic comparisons, ك is actively used in conversational MSA and understood across dialects. It often lends a slightly more eloquent or impactful touch to speech.
- يَتَصَرَّفُ كَالْأَطْفَالِ. (Yataṣarrafu kal-aṭfāli. - He behaves like children.)
- A common observation about immature behavior.
- ذَكِيٌّ كَالْقِرْدِ. (Dhakiyyun kal-qirdi. - Smart like a monkey.)
- This idiom denotes someone who is cunning or exceptionally clever, often used lightheartedly. It's a prime example of a cultural simile.
- كَأَنَّهُ لَمْ يَحْدُثْ. (ka-annahu lam yaḥduth. - As if it never happened.)
- While this uses كأن, it showcases how the particle is used to comment on a situation.
3. Formal and Written Arabic (News, Literature, Emails):
In formal contexts, ك is a staple for elegant and precise descriptions. It contributes to the rich rhetorical tradition of Arabic.
- اِنْتَشَرَتْ الشَّائِعَاتُ كَالنَّارِ فِي الْهَشِيمِ. (Intasharat ash-shāʾiʿātu kan-nāri fī al-hashīm. - Rumors spread like wildfire.)
- A classic and impactful simile often used in news reports or formal writing.
- كَانَ وَجْهُهُ كَالدَّمِ فِي احْمِرَارِهِ. (Kāna wajhuhū kad-dami fī iḥmirārihi. - His face was like blood in its redness.)
- From literature, a vivid description of extreme emotion like anger or embarrassment.
Cultural Insight
ك, are deeply woven into the fabric of Arabic expression. From ancient poetry and the Quran to contemporary proverbs, comparing one thing to another is a powerful rhetorical device. When you use ك, you're not just applying a grammatical rule; you're tapping into a rich cultural heritage of vivid imagery and evocative language. Many common ك expressions are almost proverbial, making them instantly recognizable to native speakers.Quick FAQ
ك'.ك connect to a verb (فعل - fiʿl)?No, absolutely not. ك is a prepositional prefix whose domain is exclusively nouns (اسم - ism). It can only attach to the beginning of a noun. If you want to express a comparison involving an action or a state that is 'as if' something is happening, you must use كأن (ka-anna) followed by a nominal sentence (جملة اسمية - jumlah ismiyyah) or a pronominal suffix. For example, you would say كَأَنَّهُ يَرْكُضُ (ka-annahu yarkuḍu - as if he is running), not كَيَرْكُضُ.
ك change the inherent meaning of the noun it precedes?No, it does not change the core lexical meaning of the noun. Instead, ك adds a comparative layer to the noun. It states that the subject being described possesses a quality that is similar to or reminiscent of the noun following ك. For example, رَجُلٌ كَالْجَبَلِ (rajulun kal-jabali - a man like the mountain) means the man has a quality like that of a mountain (e.g., strength, steadfastness), but he doesn't literally become a mountain. The noun retains its original meaning while lending its characteristic to the comparison.
ك always followed by a definite noun (i.e., a noun with ال)?No, ك can be followed by both definite and indefinite nouns. Regardless of definiteness, the noun must always be in the genitive case. The choice between indefinite and definite often depends on whether you are making a general comparison or a specific one.
شَجَاعٌ كَأَسَدٍ.(shajāʿun ka-asadin. - Brave like a lion.) Here,أَسَدٍ(asadin) is indefinite, implying bravery akin to any lion.شَجَاعٌ كَالْأَسَدِ.(shajāʿun kal-asadi. - Brave like the lion.) Here,الْأَسَدِ(al-asadi) is definite, perhaps referring to the archetype of a lion's bravery or a specific, well-known lion.
ك with attached pronouns to say 'like me', 'like you', etc.?Absolutely not. This is a common and critical error for learners. ك cannot attach to independent or attached pronouns. To express 'like me', 'like you', 'like them', etc., you must use the noun مثل (mithl) followed by the appropriate pronominal suffix.
- Instead of
كِي(incorrect), useمِثْلِي(mithlī - like me). - Instead of
كَكَ(incorrect), useمِثْلُكَ(mithluka - like you, masculine singular). - Instead of
كَهُمْ(incorrect), useمِثْلُهُمْ(mithluhum - like them).
ك considered more formal or literary than مثل?Generally, ك can indeed carry a slightly more formal or literary nuance compared to مثل. In classical Arabic and poetry, ك is extensively used for its elegance and conciseness. However, this does not mean ك is absent from contemporary or even semi-informal contexts. Its directness and brevity make it appealing for various situations, including texting and modern written communication. While مثل is arguably more prevalent in very casual spoken Arabic, especially when dealing with comparisons that aren't single-word similes or when used with pronouns, ك remains a highly valued and frequently encountered particle across all registers of the language. For learners, mastering both is ideal, but understanding the slight stylistic difference can enhance your expressive precision.
Formation with Nouns
| Noun | Prefix | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
قَمَر
|
كـ
|
كَـقَمَر
|
Like a moon
|
|
شَمْس
|
كـ
|
كَـشَمْس
|
Like a sun
|
|
الْأَسَد
|
كـ
|
كَـالْأَسَد
|
Like the lion
|
|
الْبَيْت
|
كـ
|
كَـالْبَيْت
|
Like the house
|
|
أَخ
|
كـ
|
كَـأَخ
|
Like a brother
|
|
أُخْت
|
كـ
|
كَـأُخْت
|
Like a sister
|
Meanings
The prefix 'كـ' is a preposition used to express resemblance or comparison, translating to 'like' or 'as'.
Direct Resemblance
Comparing the nature or quality of one thing to another.
“هِيَ كَـالْمَلَاك (She is like an angel).”
“يَجْرِي كَـالرِّيح (He runs like the wind).”
Example/Instance
Used to introduce an example or a specific case.
“أُحِبُّ الْفَوَاكِهَ كَـالتُّفَّاح (I like fruits like apples).”
“يُوجَدُ كَـثِيرٌ كَـهَذَا (There is a lot like this).”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
كـ + Noun
|
كَـالْقَمَر
|
|
Negative
|
لَيْسَ + كـ + Noun
|
لَيْسَ كَـالْقَمَر
|
|
Question
|
هَلْ + كـ + Noun
|
هَلْ هُوَ كَـالْقَمَر؟
|
|
Comparison
|
Noun + كـ + Noun
|
أَنْتَ كَـالْقَمَر
|
|
Plural
|
كـ + Plural Noun
|
كَـالْأَبْنَاءِ
|
|
Abstract
|
كـ + Abstract Noun
|
كَـالْخَيَال
|
Formality Spectrum
إِنَّهُ كَـالْأَسَد (Describing bravery)
هُوَ كَـالْأَسَد (Describing bravery)
زي الأسد (Describing bravery)
كأنه أسد (Describing bravery)
The Kaaf Connection
Nature
- كَـالْقَمَر Like the moon
People
- كَـالْأَخ Like the brother
Abstract
- كَـالْحُلْم Like the dream
Examples by Level
أَنَا كَـالْأَسَد
I am like the lion
هَذَا كَـالْبَيْت
This is like the house
أَنْتَ كَـأَخِي
You are like my brother
هِيَ كَـالْقَمَر
She is like the moon
هَلْ هُوَ كَـالْأَب؟
Is he like the father?
لَيْسَ كَـالْأَمْس
It is not like yesterday
كُونِي كَـالْجَبَل
Be like the mountain
أُحِبُّ أَشْيَاءَ كَـهَذِهِ
I like things like this
يَعْمَلُ كَـالْمُحْتَرِف
He works like a professional
تَتَكَلَّمُ كَـالْأُمَّهَات
She speaks like mothers
هَذَا الْقَرَارُ كَـالْحُكْم
This decision is like a verdict
يَبْدُو كَـالْخَيَال
It seems like fantasy
يَتَصَرَّفُ كَـالْقَائِدِ الْحَكِيم
He acts like the wise leader
تَبْدُو الْأُمُورُ كَـالْفَوْضَى
Things seem like chaos
يُعَامِلُهُمْ كَـالْأَبْنَاءِ
He treats them like children
تِلْكَ الْفِكْرَةُ كَـالْحَقِيقَة
That idea is like the truth
تَتَجَلَّى الْحَقِيقَةُ كَـالشَّمْس
The truth manifests like the sun
يُدِيرُ الْمَشْرُوعَ كَـالْمُهَنْدِسِ الْبَارِع
He manages the project like the skilled engineer
تَأْتِي الْأَخْبَارُ كَـالْعَاصِفَة
The news comes like the storm
يَكْتُبُ كَـالْأُدَبَاءِ الْكِبَار
He writes like the great writers
تَتَشَابَهُ الْأَحْدَاثُ كَـالْأَمْسِ وَالْيَوْم
Events resemble each other like yesterday and today
يُحَلِّلُ الْوَاقِعَ كَـالْفَيْلَسُوف
He analyzes reality like the philosopher
تَبْدُو الْحَيَاةُ كَـالرِّحْلَةِ الطَّوِيلَة
Life seems like the long journey
يُصَوِّرُ الْمَشْهَدَ كَـالْفَنَّانِ الْمُبْدِع
He depicts the scene like the creative artist
Easily Confused
Both mean 'like', but one is a prefix and one is a word.
Both are prefixes.
Both are prefixes.
Common Mistakes
ك قمر
كَـقَمَر
كـ يأكل
يَأْكُلُ كَـالْأَسَد
كـ هو
كَـالْأَخ
كـال قمر
كَـالْقَمَر
كـالبيتِ
كَـالْبَيْتِ
كـال شمس
كَـالشَّمْس
كـال كتاب
كَـكِتَاب
مِثْل كـ
مِثْل
كـالذي
كَـمَا
كـالجميل
كَـالْجَمِيل
كـالـ
كَـالْـ
كـالـأمر
كَـالْأَمْر
كـالـذي
كَـالَّذِي
Sentence Patterns
هَذَا ___ كَـالْ___
أَنَا لَسْتُ كَـالْ___
هَلْ هُوَ كَـالْ___؟
يَعْمَلُ كَـالْ___
Real World Usage
أنت كالأخ
يوم كالحلم
عمل كالمحترف
أريد شيئاً كالهذا
جبل كالهرم
وجه كالقمر
No Space
No Verbs
Genitive Case
Dialects
Smart Tips
Always check for the space after 'كـ'.
Focus on the 'k' sound.
Use 'كـ' for short comparisons.
Identify the root noun.
Pronunciation
The Kaaf Sound
The 'ك' is a crisp 'k' sound, like in 'kite'.
Emphasis
كَـالْأَسَد! (with rising pitch)
Strong comparison
Memorize It
Mnemonic
K for 'Ka' is like a 'Key' that unlocks the meaning of 'like'.
Visual Association
Imagine a small letter 'ك' acting like a hook, grabbing the word next to it and pulling it close to show they are the same.
Rhyme
Add the K to the start, like a work of art.
Story
A little boy named K wanted to be like his hero. He grabbed onto his hero's shirt (the noun) and never let go. Now, whenever he wants to say 'like', he just sticks himself to the noun.
Word Web
Challenge
Look at three objects in your room and write a sentence for each using 'كـ' to compare them to something else.
Cultural Notes
In many Levantine dialects, 'زي' (zi) is used more often than 'كـ' for 'like'.
The 'كـ' is very common in formal and poetic speech.
Often uses 'زي' (zi) in daily life, but 'كـ' is understood.
The 'Kaaf' is a Semitic preposition that has existed since Proto-Semitic.
Conversation Starters
هَلْ هَذَا كَـالْقَهْوَة؟
هَلْ أَنْتَ كَـالْأَب؟
هَلْ يَبْدُو الْمَشْرُوعُ كَـالْخُطَّة؟
هَلْ تُعَامِلُ النَّاسَ كَـالْأَهْل؟
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
هُوَ ___ الْأَسَد
Find and fix the mistake:
كـ قمر
أَنَا ___ الْقَمَر
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Like the moon
Answer starts with: كَـ...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
أَنْتَ / كَـ / الْبَطَل
لَيْسَ ___ الْأَسَد
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesهُوَ ___ الْأَسَد
Find and fix the mistake:
كـ قمر
أَنَا ___ الْقَمَر
الْأَسَد / كَـ / هُوَ
Like the moon
كَـالْأَخ
أَنْتَ / كَـ / الْبَطَل
لَيْسَ ___ الْأَسَد
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesهي سريعة ___ غزالة
Choose the correct spelling:
هذا الكعك ك لذيذ.
واضح ___
Look at the ending vowel in `كالأسدِ`
اركض كي.
___ العادة
Which is correct?
أنت ك الملاك.
بارد ___
Select the best option:
___ بيت
أنا أعمل ك آلة.
Score: /13
FAQ (8)
No, 'كـ' is only for nouns.
No, it is a prefix.
Attach it to the 'al'.
It is used in both.
One is a prefix, one is a word.
Yes, in formal Arabic.
Yes, but 'zi' is more common.
Yes, it is a bound preposition.
Scaffolded Practice
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2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
como
Arabic is a prefix; Spanish is a separate word.
comme
Arabic is a prefix; French is a separate word.
wie
Arabic is a prefix; German is a separate word.
yō ni
Arabic is a prefix; Japanese is a suffix.
xiàng
Arabic is a prefix; Chinese is a standalone word.
كـ
N/A
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
Particles in Arabic حروف الجر - Made Easy | Lesson 12 | Arabic101
Arabic 101
PREPOSITIONS IN ARABIC | PARTICLES OF GENITIVE CASE | ARABIC GRAMMAR (LESSON 15).
ARABIC LANGUAGE ACADEMY
Prepositions and The Prepositional Phrase in Arabic (Genitive Phrase) - حروف الجر - جار و مجرور
The Arabic Classroom
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