Breakdown of قد ساومت التاجر أرفض الثمن الباهظ.
الal
the
قدqad
already
رفضrafada
to refuse
ساومsâwama
to bargain
ثمنthaman
price
باهظbâhiz
exorbitant
تاجرtâjir
merchant
Questions & Answers about قد ساومت التاجر أرفض الثمن الباهظ.
Why is the present tense verb أرفض translated as an "-ing" word ("refusing") here?
In Arabic, a present tense verb can act as a circumstantial clause (known as a حال) when it describes the state of the subject while the main action is happening. Even though the main verb ساومت (I bargained) is in the past tense, using the present tense أرفض immediately afterward shows that the "refusing" was happening at the exact same time.
Why isn't there a connecting word like و (and) before أرفض?
While circumstantial clauses are often introduced by و (known as the waaw al-haal), the rule changes depending on the sentence structure. When the state is expressed by a positive present tense verb describing the same subject as the main verb, the و is usually omitted.
What is the exact function of قد before the past tense verb ساومت?
Placing قد before a past tense verb emphasizes that the action has definitely occurred or has just been completed. It shifts the meaning from a simple past ("I bargained") to a present perfect meaning ("I have bargained" or "I already bargained").
Does the structure of the verb ساومت give us a clue about its specific meaning?
Yes. ساوم is a Form III verb (following the pattern فاعل). Form III verbs very often indicate an action done with someone else, or a mutual attempt to do something. This concept of mutual interaction perfectly matches the idea of negotiating or "bargaining" with the merchant.
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