Words that share a root
Most Arabic words are built on a root of three consonants that carries a core meaning. Vowels and extra letters, arranged in a fixed pattern (وزن) around the root, turn it into actual words. Spot the root, and a whole family of words falls into place.
| root | words you know | core meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ك ت ب | كتب to write · كتاب book · مكتب desk, office | writing |
| د ر س | درس to study · مدرسة school | studying |
| ل ع ب | لعب to play · ملعب stadium, playing field | playing |
| ع م ل | عمل to work · عمل work | working |
| I write a letter at the desk. | أكتب رسالة على المكتب.aktubu risâlatan 'alâ al-maktabi. |
| The team plays in the stadium. | يلعب الفريق في الملعب.yalabu alfariqu fi almalabi |
Patterns carry meaning too
The pattern tells you what kind of word you have. Words that begin with م and put the root around it — مكتب, ملعب, مدرسة — often name the place where the action happens: a place for writing, for playing, for studying.
| The girl studies at school in the morning. | تدرس البنت في المدرسة صباحا.tadrusu al-bintu fi al-madrasati sabâhan |
Arabic dictionaries are arranged by root, and a new word is often easy to guess once you know its root. The patterns themselves — the verb forms and the verbal noun — come at A2.
Your questions are stored by us to improve Elon.io
