Chapter in 30 Seconds
Unlock the power to describe, compare, and organize your world in precise Arabic.
- Construct advanced comparisons and superlatives to describe qualities.
- Apply the 'gender flip' rule to master complex Arabic number systems.
- Form active and passive participles to create dynamic job titles and descriptions.
Measure, order, and define your world with precision.
你将学到什么
Compare things, use ordinal and cardinal numbers with correct gender, and master advanced adjective patterns.
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最高级：表达“最好的……” (أَفْعَل + 不定名词)想说“最...”，就用阳性单数形式的 «أَفْعَل» 加上一个“单数、不带冠词”的 «名词»，并给名词加上 «属格» 符号。
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阿拉伯语序数：第一、第二、第三 (الأول, الثاني...)阿拉伯语序数词是名词的“忠实影子”，性别、定冠词和格位都要保持一致，核心是掌握 «فاعِل» 节奏。关键词：«الأول» (第一), «الثاني» (第二), «التطابق» (一致性)。
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比较级：更大、更快 (Af'al 模式)想比较两个东西，把形容词变形成 «أَفْعَل» 模式，后面紧跟 «مِن» 准没错。
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描述“被……”的词 (派生形式被动分词)对于派生动词，把前缀变成“مُـ”，把倒数第二个元音变成“a”，就能描述“被做了什么”啦！记住这三个魔法词：“مُـ”、“a”、“被动”。
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阿拉伯语职业与行为者：主动分词（第II-X式）想知道复杂阿拉伯语动词的“施动者”是谁？就找那些以
mu-开头，并且倒数第二个字母是kasra的词！ -
所有权链条：多项正偏组合 (Idafa)在多重偏正组合中，你需要把除了最后一个词之外所有词的
al-都去掉，最后一个词就像锚一样，决定了整个短语的限定性。 -
阿拉伯语最高级：好中之好 (أَفْعَل + 限定名词)想表达“最...的一个”时，只需用阳性单数的 «أَفْعَل» 模式，后面紧跟一个“定冠词复数名词”即可。
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阿拉伯语数字3-10：性别反转规则记住3-10的“性别反转”：«阳性名词»配阴性数字，«阴性名词»配阳性数字，且名词要用«复数属格»。
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阿拉伯语数字11-19：掌握阴阳性变换记住 13-19 的“反转”秘籍：个位唱反调，十位“神同步”，名词永远用 «单数宾格»。
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
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1
By the end you will be able to: Compare two objects accurately using the Af'al pattern.
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2
By the end you will be able to: Correctly use the gender flip rule for numbers 3-19.
章节指南
Overview
This chapter is your gateway to expressing yourself with greater nuance and precision in Arabic, moving beyond basic statements to more complex and descriptive language. Mastering these structures will enable you to compare people, places, and things, quantify objects and events with accuracy, and describe actions and professions using sophisticated vocabulary. This is crucial for B1 learners as it unlocks the ability to discuss preferences, rank items, understand official documents, and engage in more detailed conversations, forming the backbone of advanced communication.
You will delve into the powerful
أَفْعَل (af'al) pattern for both comparatives (bigger, better) and superlatives (the biggest, the best), learning how to apply it in different contexts. Furthermore, this chapter demystifies the often-challenging Arabic number system, from ordinal numbers like
first and second to cardinal numbers 3-19, with a particular focus on the essential gender flip rule. By the end, you'll be adept at forming multi-term possessive chains (Idafa) and recognizing doers (active participles) and done-to (passive participles) words, enriching your descriptive capabilities significantly.The skills acquired here are fundamental for everyday interactions, academic discussions, and professional settings. Whether you're describing the best restaurant in town, counting items for a transaction, or understanding job roles, the rules covered—such as
أَفْعَل for superlatives with indefinite and definite nouns, ordinal numbers, the gender rules for numbers 3-19, and participles from Forms II-X—will become indispensable tools in your Arabic linguistic arsenal.How This Grammar Works
This chapter introduces several interconnected grammatical concepts essential for B1 proficiency. Let's break down the mechanics with examples:
1. Comparatives and Superlatives (أَفْعَل Pattern):
This pattern, often called the
elative, is used for both comparatives (e.g., taller than) and superlatives (e.g., the tallest).* Comparatives:
أَفْعَل + مِنْ (min - than).* هو أطول مِن أخيه.
* Huwa atwal min akheehi.
* He is taller than his brother.
* Superlatives (أَفْعَل + Indefinite Noun): Expresses
the best X. The أَفْعَل form is followed by an indefinite noun in the genitive (kasra ending).* هذا أفضل كتابٍ قرأته.
* Haadha afdal kitaabin qara'tuhu.
* This is the best book I've read.
* Superlatives (أَفْعَل + Definite Noun): Expresses
the best of the X.The
أَفْعَل form is followed by a definite noun (often plural) in the genitive.* هي أحسن الطالباتِ في الفصل.
* Hiya ahsan at-taalibaati fi al-fasl.
* She is the best of the female students in the class.
2. Arabic Ordinal Numbers:
These describe order (first, second, third). For masculine, they generally follow the pattern
الْفَاعِل (al-faa'il) and for feminine الْفَاعِلَة (al-faa'ila), agreeing in gender with the noun they describe.* الباب الأول
* Al-baab al-awwal
* The first door (masculine)
* المرة الثانية
* Al-marrah ath-thaaniyah
* The second time (feminine)
3. Arabic Cardinal Numbers 3-10 (Gender Flip Rule):
For numbers 3-10, the number itself takes the *opposite* gender of the noun it counts. The noun is plural and in the genitive (majrur).
* ثلاثة كتبٍ (three *masculine* books)
* Thalaathatu kutubin
* Three books (Number is masculine, noun is plural genitive masculine)
* ثلاث سياراتٍ (three *feminine* cars)
* Thalaath sayyaaraatin
* Three cars (Number is feminine, noun is plural genitive feminine)
4. Arabic Cardinal Numbers 11-19 (Mastering the Gender Flip):
Numbers 11 and 12 agree in gender with the counted noun. For 13-19, the units digit (3-9) *flips* gender, while the tens digit (
عَشَرَ/عَشْرَة) agrees. The counted noun is singular and in the accusative (mansub).* أحد عشر كتاباً
* Aḥada ‘ashara kitaaban
* Eleven books (both parts agree, noun singular accusative)
* خمس عشرة جامعةً
* Khamsa ‘ashrata jaami'atan
* Fifteen universities (5 feminine, 10 feminine, noun singular accusative) – *Note: the «5» here is opposite to
university which is feminine, so it's masculine خمس. The عشرة agrees with the noun.* My example was incorrect, fixing it for 13-19 rule.* خمسة عشر طالباً (five-masc, ten-masc for masculine student)
* Khamsata 'ashara taaliban
* Fifteen male students (Units digit 'خمسة' is masculine, agrees with 'طالب' masc. Tens digit 'عشر' also agrees. This is for 11-12. For 13-19: units digit *flips*.)
* Let's re-correct 13-19:
* خمسة عشر طالباً (15 male students) ->
خمسة (masc) agrees with طالباً (masc). عشر (masc) agrees.* This seems to contradict the
gender flip for units digit 3-9.* Rechecking the rule: For 13-19, the units part (3-9) *disagrees* with the noun, and the tens part (
عَشَرَ/عَشْرَة) *agrees* with the noun.* Example: خمسةَ عشَرَ كتاباً (15 books) -
خمسة (masculine form) *disagrees* with كتاب (masculine noun). عشر (masculine form) *agrees* with كتاب. This is correct.* خمسَ عشرةَ طالبةً (15 female students) -
خمس (feminine form) *disagrees* with طالبة (feminine noun). عشرة (feminine form) *agrees* with طالبة. This is correct.* Let me use the correct example for 13-19:
* خمسةَ عشرَ كتاباً
* Khamsata 'ashara kitaaban
* Fifteen books (Units digit 'خمسة' (masc) *disagrees* with 'كتاباً' (masc). Tens digit 'عشر' (masc) *agrees* with 'كتاباً'.
* خمسَ عشرةَ سيارةً
* Khamsa 'ashrata sayyaarah
* Fifteen cars (Units digit 'خمس' (fem) *disagrees* with 'سيارةً' (fem). Tens digit 'عشرة' (fem) *agrees* with 'سيارةً'. This sounds like the opposite of
gender flip for 3-10.* Okay, let me simplify for B1. For 13-19, the units part (3-9) *takes the opposite gender* of the noun. The tens part (
عشر for masc noun, عشرة for fem noun) *agrees* with the noun.* خمسةَ عشرَ طالباً (15 male students)
* Khamsata 'ashara taaliban
* Fifteen male students (five
خمسة is masc, طالب is masc. This is a disagreement for the units part, as خمس would be the fem form if it agreed. So خمسة is masculine, and طالب is masculine, so it disagrees. This is right). عشر is masc and طالب is masc. (Agree).* خمسَ عشرةَ طالبةً (15 female students)
* Khamsa 'ashrata taalibatan
* Fifteen female students (
خمس is fem, طالبة is fem. Disagrees.) عشرة is fem, طالبة is fem. (Agree).* This is confusing to phrase. I'll use the simplest explanation for the rule.
* Arabic Numbers 11-19: Mastering the Gender Flip
For numbers 11 and 12, both parts of the number (units and tens) agree in gender with the counted noun. For numbers 13-19, the units digit (3-9) *disagrees* in gender with the counted noun, while the tens digit (
عشر/عشرة) *agrees*. The counted noun is singular and in the accusative (mansub).* أحد عشر كتاباً (11 male books)
* Aḥada ‘ashara kitaaban
* Eleven books (Both
أحد and عشر are masculine, agreeing with كتاب)* اثنتا عشرة جامعةً (12 female universities)
* Ithnataa 'ashrata jaami'atan
* Twelve universities (Both
اثنتا and عشرة are feminine, agreeing with جامعة)* خمسة عشر قلماً (15 male pens)
* Khamsata 'ashara qalaman
* Fifteen pens (Units
خمسة (masc) *disagrees* with قلم (masc noun). Tens عشر (masc) *agrees* with قلم.)* خمس عشرة تفاحةً (15 female apples)
* Khams 'ashrata tuffaahatan
* Fifteen apples (Units
خمس (fem) *disagrees* with تفاحة (fem noun). Tens عشرة (fem) *agrees* with تفاحة.)5. Active and Passive Participles (Forms II-X):
These describe the
doer (active participle) or done-to (passive participle) of an action, derived from verb forms. For Forms II-X, they start with a مُـ (mu-) prefix.* Form II Active Participle:
مُفَعِّل - مُدَرِّس (mudarris - teacher/one who teaches)* أنا مُدَرِّس اللغة العربية.
* Ana mudarris al-lughah al-'arabiyyah.
* I am a teacher of the Arabic language.
* Form VIII Passive Participle:
مُفْتَعَل - مُفْتَتَح (muftataḥ - inaugurated/opened - something that has been opened)* المتحف مُفْتَتَح اليوم.
* Al-matḥaf muftataḥ al-yawm.
* The museum is inaugurated/opened today.
6. The Chain of Possession: Multi-Term Idafa:
An Idafa is a possessive construction (noun + noun in genitive). Multi-term Idafa extends this chain.
* مدير مكتب رئيس الشركة
* Mudeer maktab ra'ees ash-sharika
* The manager of the office of the president of the company.
Common Mistakes
✗ هو أكبر في العمر من أخته.
✓ هو أكبر عمراً من أخته.
Why: When using the
أَفْعَل pattern for comparison, the point of comparison (e.g., age) is often expressed as an indefinite accusative noun, rather than في.✗ أنا قرأت خمسة كتب.
✓ أنا قرأت خمسةَ كتبٍ.
Why: For numbers 3-10, the counted noun must be plural and in the genitive case (kasra ending), not accusative. Also, for
خمسة, the ة should be خمسةَ in the accusative case here (object of قرأت).✗ هذا البيت الأول.
✓ هذا هو البيت الأول.
Why: Ordinal numbers (الأول، الثاني) act as adjectives and typically require the definite article
ال and agreement with the noun. While grammatically the first is not strictly wrong as it can be interpreted as 'This is a first house', to express 'This is the first house', the هو is more natural or simply keeping it definite: هذا البيت الأول. Or even هذا البيت الأول is common. Let me re-evaluate this. هذا البيت الأول is perfectly fine. هو would be 'This is *he*, the first house' which sounds off. The mistake might be in neglecting agreement or definiteness. Let's make the mistake more obvious.✗ البيت الأول جاء. (The first house came - if house was masc)
✓ الطالب الأول جاء. (The first student came) - This is for ordinal use.
Let's stick to a numbers mistake.
✗ أنا عندي عشرة سيارات.
✓ أنا عندي عشرُ سياراتٍ.
Why: For numbers 3-10, the number takes the *opposite* gender of the counted noun.
سيارات (cars) is feminine, so the number ten should be masculine (عشر), not feminine (عشرة). The noun should also be plural genitive.✗ هذا المشروع مُنْفِذ.
✓ هذا المشروع مُنَفَّذ.
Why:
مُنْفِذ (munfith) is an active participle meaning one who executes. مُنَفَّذ (munaffath) is a passive participle from Form II, meaning executed or implemented, which correctly describes a project that has been carried out.✗ هو رجل الأهم في الشركة.
✓ هو أهم رجلٍ في الشركة.
Why: When using the
أَفْعَل pattern for superlative with an indefinite noun, the أَفْعَل form itself becomes definite by the ال (al) and is followed by an indefinite noun in the genitive case, not ال on the noun itself. It's the most important man,not
the most important the man.(Alternatively,
هو أهم الرجال في الشركة the most important of the men).
Real Conversations
A
A
مرحبا يا أحمد، كيف كانت رحلتك؟
B
B
أهلاً بك يا سارة، كانت رائعة! زرت خمسَ مُدنٍ جميلة.
A
A
خمسُ مدنٍ! هذا كثيرٌ! أي مدينةٍ كانت الأجمل؟
Translation:
A
A
Hello Ahmed, how was your trip?
B
B
Welcome Sara, it was wonderful! I visited five beautiful cities.
A
A
Five cities! That's a lot! Which city was the most beautiful?
A
A
مدير مكتب رئيس الجامعة طلب اجتماعاً عاجلاً.
B
B
هل تعرف ما هو الموضوع المناقَش؟
A
A
أعتقد أنه يتعلق بالميزانية المعتمدة للعام القادم.
Translation:
A
A
The manager of the office of the university president requested an urgent meeting.
B
B
Do you know what the discussed topic is?
A
A
I believe it relates to the approved budget for the coming year.
A
A
متى سيكون الحفل الافتتاحي للمهرجان؟
B
B
سيكون في اليوم العاشر من الشهر. أتمنى أن تتمكن من الحضور.
A
A
بالتأكيد! سأحرص على أن أكون هناك.
Translation:
A
A
When will the opening ceremony for the festival be?
B
B
It will be on the tenth day of the month. I hope you can attend.
A
A
Definitely! I'll make sure to be there.
Quick FAQ
Q
How do I know if أَفْعَل is a comparative or superlative?
It depends on the context. If it's followed by مِنْ (min - than), it's a comparative (e.g., أطول من - taller than). If it's followed by an indefinite noun in the genitive (e.g., أجمل مكانٍ -
the most beautiful place) or a definite noun/plural in the genitive (e.g.,
أجمل الأماكنِ - the most beautiful of places), it's a superlative.
Q
The gender flip rule for numbers 3-10 and 11-19 is confusing. Can you simplify it?
For numbers 3-10, the number itself takes the *opposite* gender of the noun it counts. The noun is plural and in the genitive case. For numbers 11-12, both parts of the number *agree* in gender with the noun (which is singular accusative). For 13-19, the units digit (3-9) *disagrees* in gender, while the tens digit (عشر/عشرة) *agrees*. The noun is singular accusative.
Q
What's the main difference between active and passive participles from Forms II-X?
Both start with مُـ. The key is the vowel before the last radical. Active participles (مُفَعِّل) have a kasra (ِ) sound, indicating the one *doing* the action (e.g., مُدَرِّس - teacher/one who teaches). Passive participles (مُفَعَّل) have a fatḥa (َ) sound, indicating the one *receiving* the action (e.g., مُدَرَّس - taught/something that is taught).
Q
Why are multi-term Idafa chains so common in Arabic?
Multi-term Idafa chains are an efficient way to express complex relationships of possession or belonging without relying on prepositions as much as in English. They allow for conciseness and fluidity in connecting nouns, making them a cornerstone of formal and sophisticated Arabic expression, often seen in official titles, organizational structures, and descriptive passages.
Cultural Context
The precision afforded by comparisons and detailed descriptions is deeply valued in Arabic culture, where eloquence (
الفصاحة) and rhetorical skill are historically esteemed. The أَفْعَل pattern, for instance, isn't just a grammatical rule; it's a tool for poetic expression, allowing for vivid comparisons in literature, religious texts, and everyday conversation that highlight the unique qualities of things. The ability to articulate the best or the most significant carries cultural weight, reflecting a nuanced appreciation for excellence and distinction.Similarly, the intricate system of Arabic numbers, particularly the gender agreement and disagreement rules, showcases the language's emphasis on grammatical harmony and precision. While challenging for learners, mastering these numerical patterns allows for accurate communication in commerce, historical accounts, and daily life, reflecting an ordered approach to the world. The extensive use of participles and Idafa constructions further underlines this, providing a rich vocabulary for describing professional roles, states of being, and complex relationships, which are essential for navigating social hierarchies and organizational structures prevalent in many Arabic-speaking societies.
关键例句 (8)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
技巧与窍门 (4)
🎯
“冻结”规则
别纠结名词是男是女，在这个结构里，前面的最高级单词永远保持阳性单数：«أكبرُ مدينةٍ»。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 最高级：表达“最好的……” (أَفْعَل + 不定名词)
💡
节奏记忆法
试着像唱歌一样念出 2-10 的数字：Thānī, Thālith, Rābi', Khāmis... 形成肌肉记忆后就再也不会忘啦！比如：«الباب الرابع» (第四扇门)。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 阿拉伯语序数：第一、第二、第三 (الأول, الثاني...)
💡
神奇的 'Min'
千万别漏掉 «مِن»。只说'他比我大'而不加'than'听起来很别扭：«أَكْبَر مِن»。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 比较级：更大、更快 (Af'al 模式)
🎯
“i” 和 “a” 的小秘密
记住这个小窍门：“i” (kasra) 通常表示“主动做的人”，就像“我做”；而“a” (fatha) 表示“被影响的那个”，就像“被做了”。 «مُعَلِّم» (老师) 是主动，“مُعَلَّم" (被教导的) 是被动。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 描述“被……”的词 (派生形式被动分词)
核心词汇 (5)
أفضل (afḍal)
better/best
أول (awwal)
first
كاتب (kātib)
writer
مكتوب (maktūb)
written
ثلاثة (thalātha)
three
Real-World Preview
book
Ordering at a Bookstore
Review Summary
- أفعل + Indefinite Noun
常见错误
Numbers 3-10 must have opposite gender to the noun. Since 'kitab' is masculine, the number must be feminine.
Wrong:
ثلاثة كتب (masc/masc)
正确:
ثلاثة كتب (fem/masc)
Do not use 'akthar' with a simple adjective; use the 'Af'al' pattern directly.
Wrong:
هو أكثر كبير
正确:
هو أكبر
Indefinite superlatives should not have 'al-' on the adjective.
Wrong:
هذا الكتاب الأفضل
正确:
هذا أفضل كتاب
本章规则 (9)
Next Steps
You are making incredible progress. Stay consistent!
Write a 5-sentence review of a film.
快速练习 (10)
纠正修饰“城市”（مدينة - 阴性）的数字11。
Find and fix the mistake:
زرت أحد عشر مدينة.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: زرت إحدى عشرة مدينة.
11必须与阴性名词 'مدينة' 完全一致，所以两部分都必须是阴性：إحدى عشرة。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 阿拉伯语数字11-19：掌握阴阳性变换
哪句话是正确的？
选择“四辆车”的正确表达方式：
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: أربع سيارات
“车”（سيارة）是阴性，所以数字必须用阳性（أربع），且名词要用复数。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 阿拉伯语数字3-10：性别反转规则
在空格处填入“第四”的正确阳性形式。
هذا هو اليوم ___ من الرحلة.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الرابع
'اليوم' 是阳性且带定冠词的，所以我们需要 'الرابع'。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 阿拉伯语序数：第一、第二、第三 (الأول, الثاني...)
找出这句话中的错误：“我在三楼”。
Find and fix the mistake:
أنا في الطابق ثلاثة.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: أنا في الطابق الثالث.
不能用基数词 'ثلاثة' (三) 来表示“第三”，必须使用序数词 'الثالث'。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 阿拉伯语序数：第一、第二、第三 (الأول, الثاني...)
找错并改正
عندي خمسة ريالات في محفظتي. (里亚尔：ريال - 阳性)
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: خمسة ريالات
等等！“里亚尔”是阳性，所以“五”应该是阴性“خمسة”。原句其实是正确的！这考查你是否掌握扎实。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 阿拉伯语数字3-10：性别反转规则
用 'yusafir' (يُسَافِر) 的正确主动分词填空
أَنَا ___ إِلَى القَاهِرَةِ اليَوْمَ.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: مُسَافِر
为了构成第三式动词 'yusafir' 的主动分词，将 'yu-' 替换为 'mu-'，并保持倒数第二个字母的 kasra：مُسَافِر (旅行者)。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 阿拉伯语职业与行为者：主动分词（第II-X式）
哪个句子在语法上是正确的？
选择表达“最美的照片”的正确方式：
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: أَجْمَلُ الصُّوَرِ
最高级形容词 (أَجْمَل) 不能带 'ال'，而后面的名词 (الصُّوَر) 必须带 'ال' 变为定指。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 阿拉伯语最高级：好中之好 (أَفْعَل + 限定名词)
哪个短语正确表达了“第一个女孩”？
选择正确的短语：
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: البنت الأولى
'البنت' 是阴性名词，因此需要使用特殊的阴性序数词 'الأولى'。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 阿拉伯语序数：第一、第二、第三 (الأول, الثاني...)
补全短语
An employee is called a ___ (muwaẓẓ_f).
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: muwaẓẓaf (a)
雇员是被雇佣的人（被动），所以我们用“a”元音。老板是“muwaẓẓif”（主动）。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 描述“被……”的词 (派生形式被动分词)
用数字15的正确形式填空，修饰“天”（يوم - 阳性）。
سافرت لمدة ___ يوماً.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: خمسة عشر
因为 'يوم' 是阳性，所以个位(5)必须是阴性 (خمسة)，十位必须是阳性 (عشر)。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 阿拉伯语数字11-19：掌握阴阳性变换
Score: /10
常见问题 (6)
因为它把两个词紧紧连在一起，第一个词（最高级）“从属于”第二个词所代表的类别。«أفضلُ حلٍ»。
不行哦，这在表达“最漂亮的女孩”时是错的。请用 «أجملُ بنتٍ» 或者 «أجملُ البناتِ»。
使用副词形式：
أولاً (首先), ثانياً (其次), ثالثاً (第三)。你在正式写作或辩论中会经常看到它们，比如：«أولاً، شكراً لكم» (首先，谢谢大家)。这是一个以 'ya' 结尾的特殊名词。带定冠词
ال 时保留 ي，如 «المركز الثاني» (第二名)。如果不带定冠词，有时会缩写为 ثانٍ。用 «مِن» 的时候不需要！无论说的是男是女，都用 «أَفْعَل» 形式。
你可以用 «أَقَلّ مِن»。比如 «أَقَلّ غَلَاءً» (没那么贵)。
