The Proportional Comparative
To express a proportional relationship—saying "the more... the more..."—Arabic uses a paired structure with the word كلما.
| the more | كلماkullamâ |
The most important rule for this structure is that both instances of كلما must be followed immediately by a past tense verb. Even when expressing general truths that translate to the present tense in English, Arabic strictly requires the past tense.
| The more we advance in age, the more we understand life. | كلما تقدمنا في العمر، كلما فهمنا الحياة.kullamâ taqaddamnâ fî al-'umri, kullamâ fahimnâ al-hayâh. |
| The more the man travels, the more he knows. | كلما سافر الرجل، كلما عرف أكثر.kullamâ sâfara r-rajulu, kullamâ 'arafa akthara |
Expressing Changing Perspectives
When the subject is an explicit noun (like "the woman" or "the child"), standard Arabic word order applies: place the noun immediately after the verb.
| The more the woman lives a new experience, the more she realizes the truth. | كلما عاشت المرأة تجربة جديدة، كلما أدركت الحقيقة.kullamâ âshati l-mar'atu tajribatan jadîdatan, kullamâ 'adrakati l-haqîqata. |
| The more the child grows, the more he comprehends his father's words. | كلما كبر الطفل، كلما استوعب كلمات والده.kullamâ kabura t-tiflu, kullamâ istawaba kalimâti wâlidihi. |
Use this structure to discuss personal growth, maturity, and shifting mindsets.
| The more we accept reality, the more we live in peace. | كلما تقبلنا الواقع، كلما عشنا في سلام.kullamâ taqabbalnâ al-wâqi, kullamâ ishnâ fî salâm. |
| The more the man calms down, the more he comprehends the problem. | كلما هدأ الرجل، كلما استوعب المشكلة.kullamâ hada'a r-rajulu, kullamâ istaw'aba l-mushkilata. |
Abstract Subjects
You can also use abstract concepts as subjects. As always, if the subject is a feminine noun, ensure the past tense verb takes the feminine agreement.
| insight | بصيرةbasira |
| The older we get, the more our insight increases. | كلما كبرنا، كلما زادت بصيرتنا.kullamâ kabirnâ, kullamâ zâdat baṣîratunâ |
| The more the person's contentment increases, the more his mind calms down. | كلما زادت قناعة الشخص، كلما هدأ عقله.kullamâ zâdat qanâ'atu ash-shakhsi, kullamâ hada'a 'aqluhu. |