The Form VII Verbal Noun (المصدر)
The verbal noun (masdar) represents the action or state of a verb, similar to English words ending in "-ing" (breaking) or "-ion" (explosion).
For Form VII verbs—which typically describe spontaneous actions, accidents, or yielding to an outside force—the verbal noun follows the highly predictable pattern انفعال. To form it, keep the characteristic انـ prefix of Form VII and insert an alif (ا) before the final root letter.
| explosion | انفجارinfijâr |
Because these nouns often describe sudden events, they are frequently paired with adjectives like مفاجئ (sudden).
| The sudden explosion was very loud. | كان الانفجار المفاجئ عاليا جدا.kâna al-infijâru al-mufâji'u 'âliyan jiddan |
Using Verbal Nouns in Context
Verbal nouns act exactly like regular nouns: they can take the definite article (ال), be described by adjectives, and serve as subjects or objects.
| The explosion left a lot of damage in the building. | ترك الانفجار ضررا كبيرا في المبنى.taraka al-infijâru dararan kabîran fî al-mabnâ |
| The collapse of the bridge was sudden. | كان انهيار الجسر مفاجئا.kâna inhiyâru al-jisri mufâji'an |
| The girl did not sleep much after the collapse of the roof. | لم تنم البنت كثيرا بعد انهيار السقف.lam tanami l-bintu kathîran ba'da inhiyâri s-saqfi |
Retreats and Launches
Form VII verbal nouns also describe movements or actions, such as a withdrawal (انسحاب) or launch (انطلاق). They frequently appear as the first word in an idafa (genitive construction) to mean "the withdrawal of..." or "the start of...".
| The withdrawal of the team was a sudden decision. | كان انسحاب الفريق قرارا مفاجئا.kâna insihâbu alfarîqi qarâran mufâji'an |
| The team did not win after the withdrawal. | لم يفز الفريق بعد الانسحاب.lam yafuzi l-fariqu ba'da al-insihab |
| The start of the match is very early. | انطلاق المباراة مبكر جدا.intilâqu al-mubârâti mubakkirun jiddan |
| I am waiting for the launch of the new train. | أنتظر انطلاق القطار الجديد.antazhiru intilâqa al-qitâri al-jadîd |
Accidents and States of Being
The انفعال pattern is the standard way to describe accidental physical movements, structural breakages, and emotional states like impulsiveness or separation.
| The slipping of the car on the snow is very dangerous. | انزلاق السيارة على الثلج خطير جدا.inzilâqu as-sayyârati 'alâ ath-thalji khatîrun jiddan |
| I heard the breaking of the glass in the kitchen. | سمعت انكسار الزجاج في المطبخ.sami'tu inkisâra z-zujâji fi l-matbakhi |
| Impulsiveness in work is a big mistake. | الاندفاع في العمل خطأ كبير.alindifâ'u fil-'amali khata'un kabîr |
| Separation is a difficult decision for the family. | الانفصال قرار صعب للعائلة.al-infiṣâlu qarârun ṣa'bun lil-'â'ilah. |