A2 · Elementar Capítulo 3

Nouns, Gender, and Broken Plurals

4 Regras totais
40 exemplos
5 min
Regras neste capítulo Prática rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of Arabic pluralization by performing linguistic surgery on your favorite nouns.

  • Identify the logic behind non-patterned broken plurals.
  • Apply rhythmic patterns like Fu'ūl, 'af'āl, and Fi'āl.
  • Treat non-human plurals as feminine singular subjects.
Break the word, master the rhythm!

O que você vai aprender

Hey friend! So, you've already learned a ton of Arabic – amazing job! Now, we're diving into a super important and exciting part: Broken Plurals! I know, the name might sound a bit tricky, but don't worry, with me, you'll learn the easiest way to master them. In this chapter, we're going to learn how words form their plurals in Arabic, especially those 'special' ones that don't follow a simple pattern – it's like a linguistic 'internal surgery' on the word itself! I'll teach you how to turn words like 'qalb' (heart) into 'qulub' (hearts) or 'qalam' (pen) into 'aqlam' (pens), using rhythmic patterns like 'Fu'ūl', 'af'āl', and 'Fi'āl'. Most importantly, I'll teach you a golden rule that will be incredibly useful: Whenever you encounter a plural of non-human objects in Arabic (like 'books' or 'cars'), you must treat it as a single 'feminine' entity! This is the key to constructing your sentences correctly and sounding like a native speaker. Where will these skills come in handy? Imagine you're in an Arab market wanting to say, 'I want several books,' or 'These houses are beautiful.' If you don't know these rules, you might not be understood properly. But by the end of this chapter, you'll be able to confidently talk about multiple objects, describe them correctly, and never stumble when pluralizing Arabic words. Let's start and conquer this step together!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Transform singular nouns into their broken plural forms using rhythmic patterns.

Guia do capítulo

Overview

Welcome, language adventurer! You've reached a pivotal point in your Arabic grammar A2 journey. We're about to unlock the fascinating world of broken plurals – a core concept in Arabic that will dramatically enhance your fluency and comprehension.
While the idea of a broken plural might sound intimidating, think of it as a creative rearrangement of letters, a beautiful internal modification of a word. Mastering this is essential for navigating everyday conversations and truly understanding how Arabic nouns work. This chapter is designed to demystify these patterns, making them accessible and manageable for learners at the CEFR A2 Arabic level.
Understanding broken plurals is crucial because they are incredibly common. Unlike the simple, predictable sound plurals, broken plurals involve changing the internal vowel structure and sometimes the consonant order of a singular noun to form its plural. This is a hallmark of Arabic morphology and a key differentiator from many other languages.
By the end of this guide, you'll be equipped to recognize and use these vital plural forms, moving you closer to sounding more natural and confident in your Arabic.

How This Grammar Works

This chapter focuses on Arabic broken plurals, known as Jam' al-Taksir (جمع التكسير). Unlike sound plurals where you simply add an ending (like -uun or -aat), broken plurals involve changing the word's internal structure. We'll explore three common patterns: Fu'ūl (فُعُول), 'af'āl (أَفْعَال), and Fi'āl (فِعَال).
The Fu'ūl pattern often applies to concrete objects. For example, the singular 'qalb' (قَلْب - heart) becomes 'qulūb' (قُلُوب - hearts), and 'bayt' (بَيْت - house) becomes 'buyūt' (بُيُوت - houses). Notice the change in vowels and the addition of a 'wāw' (و) in the plural.
The 'af'āl' pattern is another frequent one. Consider 'qalam' (قَلَم - pen), which becomes 'aqlām' (أَقْلَام - pens). Similarly, 'walad' (وَلَد - boy) becomes 'awlād' (أَوْلَاد - boys). Here, the plural often starts with an 'alif' (أ) and a 'fathah' (ـَ).
Finally, the Fi'āl pattern involves a different vowel arrangement. The singular 'rajul' (رَجُل - man) becomes 'rijāl' (رِجَال - men), and 'jabal' (جَبَل - mountain) becomes 'jibāl' (جِبَال - mountains). This pattern often features a 'kasrah' (ـِ) in the first syllable of the plural.
A golden rule to remember for A2 Arabic learners: when forming plurals of non-human objects (things, animals), the plural form is treated as grammatically feminine singular. This means adjectives and verbs agreeing with them will take feminine singular forms. For instance, 'al-kutub kabīrah' (الكُتُب كَبِيرَة - the books are big), where 'kabīrah' is feminine singular.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    Ana aradtu khamsat kutub jamil.
    (I want five beautiful books.)
✓ Correct:
Ana aradtu khamsat kutub jamīlah.
(I want five beautiful books.)
*Explanation:* The noun 'kutub' (كُتُب - books) is a non-human plural. According to the rule, it's treated as feminine singular. Therefore, the adjective 'jamīlah' (جَمِيلَة - beautiful) must also be in the feminine singular form to agree with it.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Hathihi al-buyut kabirun. (These houses are big.)
✓ Correct:
Hathihi al-buyut kabīrah.
(These houses are big.)
*Explanation:* 'Buyūt' (بُيُوت - houses) is a non-human plural. It's treated as feminine singular. The demonstrative pronoun 'Hathihi' (هَذِهِ - this/these) is already feminine singular, but the predicate adjective 'kabīrah' (كَبِيرَة - big) must also be feminine singular to match.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Katabtu aqalam kathirun. (I wrote many pens.)
✓ Correct:
Katabtu aqalam kathīrah.
(I wrote many pens.)
*Explanation:* 'Aqalam' (أَقْلَام - pens) is a non-human plural. It's treated as feminine singular. The adjective 'kathīrah' (كَثِيرَة - many) needs to be in the feminine singular form to agree with 'aqalam'.

Real Conversations

A

A

Ayna aqlamuka? (Where are your pens?)
B

B

Aqalami huna. Wa hadhihi qulūbi al-awlādi saghirah.
(My pens are here. And these children's hearts are small.)
A

A

"Hal ra'ayta rajulan?" (Did you see a man?)
B

B

"Na'am, ra'aytu rijālan kathīran yamsḥūna." (Yes, I saw many men walking.)
A

A

Kayfa al-jibāl fi al-ṣayf?
(How are the mountains in the summer?)
B

B

Al-jibāl jamīlah jiddan, walakin al-ḥarr shadīd.
(The mountains are very beautiful, but the heat is intense.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What is the main difference between sound plurals and broken plurals in Arabic grammar?

Sound plurals add a suffix (like -uun or -aat) to the singular form, while broken plurals change the internal vowel structure and sometimes the order of letters of the singular noun to create the plural.

Q

How can I easily identify which pattern a broken plural follows in A2 Arabic?

For A2 learners, it's best to memorize common broken plural patterns and their associated singular forms. As you encounter more Arabic, you'll start to recognize them intuitively.

Q

What is the significance of treating non-human plurals as feminine singular in Arabic?

Treating non-human plurals as feminine singular is a fundamental rule that affects agreement with adjectives, pronouns, and verbs. Following this rule is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences and sounding natural.

Q

Are there regional differences in how broken plurals are used in Arabic?

While the core patterns of broken plurals are standard across Arabic dialects, pronunciation and specific word choices might vary. However, the grammatical rules governing their use, especially the feminine singular treatment of non-human plurals, remain consistent.

Cultural Context

In everyday Arabic, you'll hear broken plurals constantly, from discussing everyday objects like 'kutub' (books) and 'buyūt' (houses) to abstract concepts. The grammatical rule of treating non-human plurals as feminine singular is universally applied, ensuring clarity and correctness in communication, whether in formal settings or casual chats in a market.

Exemplos-chave (6)

1

Hādhihi al-buyūtu qadīmatun jiddan.

Estas casas são muito antigas.

Plurais Quebrados em Árabe: O Padrão Fu'ūl (Corações e Casas)
2

Shukran 'alā kull al-qulūb fī al-bath!

Obrigado por todos os corações na live!

Plurais Quebrados em Árabe: O Padrão Fu'ūl (Corações e Casas)
3

Indī thalāthata aqlām fī ḥaqībatī.

Eu tenho três canetas na minha mochila.

Plurais Quebrados em Árabe: O Padrão 'af'āl'
4

Kayfa ḥāl al-awlād?

Como estão as crianças/meninos?

Plurais Quebrados em Árabe: O Padrão 'af'āl'
5

Hā'ulā' ar-rijāl ya'malūn hunā.

Esses homens trabalham aqui.

Plural "Cirurgia Interna": Fi'āl (Rijāl, Jibāl)
6

Uḥibbu al-jibāl fī ash-shitā'.

Eu amo as montanhas no inverno.

Plural "Cirurgia Interna": Fi'āl (Rijāl, Jibāl)

Dicas e truques (4)

⚠️

A Exceção 'Humana'

Olha só, você nunca vai usar concordância no feminino singular para pessoas! Se você quer dizer 'Os homens são altos', diga «الرِّجَالُ طِوَال», NUNCA 'الرِّجَالُ طَوِيلَة'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Plurais Quebrados no Árabe (Jam' al-Taksir)
💡

O Sinal do Waw

Se você escutar um som de 'u' longo (tipo 'uuu') perto do final de uma palavra no plural, provavelmente é esse padrão! Pense em Qul-OO-b (قلوب).
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Plurais Quebrados em Árabe: O Padrão Fu'ūl (Corações e Casas)
💡

O Truque do Ritmo

Cante a melodia 'A-BA-DA' ou 'A-KLA-M'. Se a palavra se encaixa nesse ritmo, provavelmente é um plural 'أفعال'. Seus ouvidos são seus melhores amigos aqui: «أقلام، أخبار، أيام».
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Plurais Quebrados em Árabe: O Padrão 'af'āl'
🎯

Ouça o Ritmo

Fi'āl tem um ritmo 'curto-LONGO' bem específico (i-Ā). Se você falar 'Ra-jāl' (a-Ā), vai parecer um caubói! Mantenha a primeira vogal curta e nítida, tipo em «رِجَال».
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Plural "Cirurgia Interna": Fi'āl (Rijāl, Jibāl)

Vocabulário-chave (6)

قَلْب (qalb) heart قُلُوب (qulūb) hearts قَلَم (qalam) pen أَقْلَام (aqlām) pens رَجُل (rajul) man رِجَال (rijāl) men

Real-World Preview

shopping-cart

Market Interaction

Review Summary

  • Root1-u-Root2-ū-Root3
  • a-Root1-Root2-ā-Root3
  • Root1-i-Root2-ā-Root3

Erros comuns

You treated a non-human plural as masculine. Remember, non-human plurals are feminine singular.

Wrong: هَذَا أَقْلَام (Hadha aqlām)
Correto: هَذِهِ أَقْلَام (Hadhihi aqlām)

Do not force the -ūn sound; that is for sound masculine plurals. Pens follow the internal pattern.

Wrong: قَلَمُون (Qalamūn)
Correto: أَقْلَام (Aqlām)

Human plurals take human adjectives. Do not use feminine singular adjectives for people.

Wrong: رِجَالٌ كَبِيرَة (Rijāl kabīrah)
Correto: رِجَالٌ كِبَار (Rijāl kibār)

Next Steps

You have mastered one of the most unique features of Arabic! Keep practicing these rhythms, and they will become second nature.

Create flashcards for 10 broken plural nouns.

Continue to: Pointing and Belonging

Prática rápida (10)

Corrija o erro nesta frase que descreve casas.

Find and fix the mistake:

هَذِهِ البُيُوتُ كَبِيرُونَ.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هَذِهِ البُيُوتُ كَبِيرَةٌ.
'بُيُوتُ' (casas) é um plural não-humano, então o adjetivo deve ser feminino singular ('كَبِيرَةٌ'). Lembre-se sempre!

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Plurais Quebrados no Árabe (Jam' al-Taksir)

Preencha a lacuna com o plural correto de 'qalam' (قلم).

اشتريت خمسة ___ جديدة.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: أقلام
O plural de 'qalam' segue o padrão 'أفعال', que é 'أقلام'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Plurais Quebrados em Árabe: O Padrão 'af'āl'

Preencha a lacuna com a forma plural correta de 'كِتَاب' (kitaab).

عِنْدِي ثَلاثَةُ ___ .

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: كُتُب
O plural de 'كِتَاب' é 'كُتُب', que segue o padrão de plural irregular 'Fu'ul'. Simples, né?

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Plurais Quebrados no Árabe (Jam' al-Taksir)

Qual frase usa o plural correto para 'dias'?

Escolha a frase correta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: سأبقى هنا ثلاثة أيام.
'أيام' é o plural quebrado correto de 'yawm' (dia) usando o padrão 'أفعال'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Plurais Quebrados em Árabe: O Padrão 'af'āl'

Converta a palavra entre parênteses para o plural.

أين (الرجل)؟ ___ ذهبوا إلى السوق.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الرجال
O plural de 'rajul' (homem) segue o padrão Fi'āl, tornando-se 'rijāl'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Plural "Cirurgia Interna": Fi'āl (Rijāl, Jibāl)

Transforme a palavra entre parênteses para a sua forma plural.

أحب مشاهدة ___ (فَنّ) الرسم.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: فُنُون
O plural de «فَنّ» (arte) segue o padrão «فُعُول», tornando-se «فُنُون».

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Plurais Quebrados em Árabe: O Padrão Fu'ūl (Corações e Casas)

Corrija o erro gramatical na frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

عندي قلبون كثيرة في الانستقرام.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: عندي قلوب كثيرة في الانستقرام.
Você não pode adicionar «-ūn» a «قَلْب». O plural correto é o plural quebrado «قُلُوب».

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Plurais Quebrados em Árabe: O Padrão Fu'ūl (Corações e Casas)

Encontre e corrija o erro na formação do plural.

Find and fix the mistake:

رأيت أفلامون جميلة أمس.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: رأيت أفلام جميلة أمس.
O plural de 'film' é 'أفلام', não 'أفلامون'. Plurais quebrados não usam o sufixo '-ūn'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Plurais Quebrados em Árabe: O Padrão 'af'āl'

Qual frase aplica corretamente a regra de concordância para plurais não-humanos?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الأَقْلامُ جَدِيدَةٌ.
Plurais não-humanos como 'أَقْلامُ' (canetas) levam adjetivos femininos singulares como 'جَدِيدَة'. Fique de olho!

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Plurais Quebrados no Árabe (Jam' al-Taksir)

Qual frase usa o plural correto para 'casa'?

Selecione a frase correta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: اشترينا بيوت جديدة.
«بَيْت» (casa) vira «بُيُوت». «أَبْيَات» é usado para versos de poesia! Cuidado com a pegadinha!

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Plurais Quebrados em Árabe: O Padrão Fu'ūl (Corações e Casas)

Score: /10

Perguntas comuns (6)

É uma forma plural que muda a estrutura das vogais dentro da palavra singular, em vez de apenas adicionar um sufixo no final. Por exemplo, 'كِتَاب' (kitaab, livro) se torna 'كُتُب' (kutub, livros).
É uma regra fundamental na gramática árabe para plurais que não são humanos. Isso ajuda a simplificar a concordância de adjetivos e verbos para grupos de objetos. Pense como uma característica do idioma!
É 'quebrado' porque você muda a estrutura interna da palavra, em vez de só adicionar um sufixo, como fazemos em português ao adicionar 's'. Por exemplo, «قَلْب» (coração) vira «قُلُوب» (corações).
Quase nunca! Ele é usado principalmente para raízes de palavras masculinas. Para nomes femininos, geralmente usamos o sufixo «-āt».
Não exatamente! Embora seja comum, o árabe tem vários padrões de plural quebrado. Geralmente você tem que aprender qual substantivo usa qual padrão, mas 'أفعال' é uma ótima aposta para objetos. Por exemplo, para 'قلم' (caneta), o plural é «أقلام».
Depende da gramática (caso). Na maioria da fala diária, você só diz 'awlād'. As terminações (un/an/in) são para escrita formal e para os nerds da gramática! Se você está falando de 'meninos', diga apenas «أولاد».
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