EmSAT Arabic Flashcards

What is 'الجناس' (al-jinas) in Arabic rhetoric?

Answer: Wordplay using words that sound similar but differ in meaning

الجناس is a rhetorical device involving wordplay with words that sound similar but have different meanings (paronomasia). It adds a musical quality to Arabic prose and poetry.

In Arabic, what is the 'ممنوع من الصرف' (mamnu' min as-sarf)?

Answer: A noun that does not take tanwin or kasra in the genitive

الممنوع من الصرف (diptote) is a noun or adjective that does not take tanwin (nunation) and takes a fatha instead of kasra in the genitive case. Examples include proper names and words on certain patterns like أَفعل.

Which of the following is a 'حرف جر' (preposition) in Arabic?

Answer: مِنْ

'مِنْ' (from) is a حرف جر (preposition). Prepositions in Arabic govern the genitive case on the following noun. Other prepositions include: إلى، على، في، عن، بـ، لـ، كـ.

What does 'الإعراب' mean in Arabic grammar?

Answer: The grammatical analysis of case endings and word functions in a sentence

الإعراب refers to the grammatical parsing of Arabic sentences — analyzing the case endings and function of each word (subject, object, predicate, etc.). It is a fundamental aspect of Classical Arabic grammar.

What is the 'الحال' (al-hal) in Arabic grammar?

Answer: A circumstantial adverb describing the state of the subject or object when the action occurred

الحال is a circumstantial adverb (adverbial of state) in Arabic that describes the condition of the subject or object at the time of the action. It is always in the accusative case (منصوب) and usually indefinite.

What is the difference between 'الفعل المتعدي' and 'الفعل اللازم'?

Answer: A transitive verb takes an object; an intransitive verb does not

الفعل المتعدي (transitive verb) requires a direct object to complete its meaning (e.g., كتبَ محمدٌ رسالةً — Muhammad wrote a letter). الفعل اللازم (intransitive verb) does not take a direct object (e.g., ذهبَ — he went).