When reading myths and legends, characters are often defined by their extreme traits—they aren't just strong, they are mighty; not just deceitful, but habitual liars. Arabic expresses these intense traits or frequent actions using Intensive Adjectives (صيغ المبالغة). In this lesson, we will look at two of the most common patterns.
The Pattern فَعَّال
The pattern فَعَّال emphasizes a strong habit or an intense trait. It is formed by doubling the middle root letter (adding a shadda) and placing an alif before the final root letter.
| O commander of the army, do not trust the treacherous and cunning opponent. | يا قائد الجيش، لا تثق بالخصم الغدار والمكار.yâ qâ'ida al-jayshi, lâ tathiq bil-khasmi al-ghaddâri wal-makkâri. |
When describing a feminine subject, adjectives on the فَعَّال pattern take the standard feminine ending ة.
| The witch was mighty and cunning in the legend. | كانت الساحرة جبارة ومكارة في الأسطورة.kânati s-sâhiratu jabbâratan wa makkâratan fi l-usturah. |
| Do not believe this greedy queen, for she is a liar. | لا تصدق هذه الملكة الطماعة، فهي كذابة.lâ tusaddiq hâdhihi-l-malikata-t-tammâ'ata, fahiya kadhdhâba |
The Pattern مِفْعَال
Another common pattern for extreme traits is مِفْعَال. It is formed by adding the prefix مِـ to the root and an alif before the final root letter.
| The intrepid hero faced that mighty monster. | واجه البطل المقدام ذلك الوحش الجبار.wâjaha al-baṭalu al-miqdâmu dhâlika al-waḥsha al-jabbâra. |
Crucial rule: Unlike most standard adjectives, words on the مِفْعَال pattern share the exact same form for both masculine and feminine nouns. You do not add a ة when describing a female character.
| The valiant princess is an intrepid heroine in the battle. | الأميرة المغوار بطلة مقدام في المعركة.al-amiratu al-mighwaru batalatun miqdamun fi al-ma'rakati |
| As much as the queen is bountiful, as much as she is hospitable. | بقدر ما الملكة معطاء بقدر ما هي مضياف.biqadri mâ-l-malikatu mi'tâ'un biqadri mâ hiya midyâfun |
Combining Patterns
When you use both patterns to describe a feminine subject in the same sentence, remember their distinct rules: فَعَّال takes the ة, while مِفْعَال remains completely unchanged.
| This talkative neighbor is a liar too. | هذه الجارة المكثار كذابة أيضا.hâdhihi l-jâratu l-mikthâru kadhdhâbatun aydan |
