In Arabic, to describe someone with a strong, habitual, or deeply ingrained trait, use Intensive Adjectives (صيغ المبالغة).
These adjectives go beyond a simple description. For example, instead of saying someone is acting stingy right now, an intensive adjective implies they are a fundamentally stingy person. This lesson focuses on two common intensive patterns used to analyze personalities: (فَعِيل) and (فَعِل).
The (فَعِيل) Pattern
The most frequent intensive pattern is (فَعِيل). Like all adjectives, words on this pattern match the noun they describe in gender, number, and case.
| The hero in the novel is a noble and sensible man. | البطل في الرواية رجل نبيل ورزين.al-baṭalu fi r-riwâyati rajulun nabîlun wa razînun |
| The frank woman attacked the stingy merchant. | هاجمت المرأة الصريحة التاجر البخيل.hâjamati al-mar'atu as-sarîhatu at-tâjira al-bakhîla |
You can also use these adjectives as predicates in nominal sentences:
| I concluded that the criminal is a mean person. | استنتجت أن المجرم شخص لئيم.istantajtu anna al-mujrima shakhṣun la'îm |
The (فَعِل) Pattern
Another common intensive pattern is (فَعِل). Adjectives on this pattern often describe strong internal states, behaviors, or styles. They behave identically to other adjectives, such as taking a taa marbuta (ة) to agree with feminine nouns.
| Why did the impudent lady interrupt the discussion? | لماذا قاطعت السيدة الوقحة النقاش؟limâdhâ qâta'ati assayyidatu alwaqihatu anniqâsha? |
| Her smooth style made the novel enjoyable. | أسلوبها السلس جعل الرواية ممتعة.uslûbuhâ as-salisu ja'ala ar-riwâyata mumti'atan |
Combining the Patterns
You will frequently use both patterns side-by-side. Both follow standard grammar rules, including taking the accusative tanwin (ـًا) when acting as the predicate of (كان) or modifying a direct object.
| The eloquent author wrote a smooth dialogue. | كتب المؤلف البليغ حوارا سلسا.kataba al-mu'allifu al-balîghu hiwâran salisan. |
| I do not want to be miserable and gluttonous. | لا أريد أن أكون تعيسا وشرها.lâ urîdu an akûna ta'îsan wa sharihan. |