{"id":13361,"date":"2023-07-31T16:27:07","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T16:27:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kaleela.com\/en\/blog\/learn-arabic-case-endings-the-right-way-the-genitive\/"},"modified":"2025-11-23T13:21:41","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T13:21:41","slug":"learn-arabic-case-endings-the-right-way-the-genitive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kaleela.com\/en\/blog\/learn-arabic-case-endings-the-right-way-the-genitive\/","title":{"rendered":"Genitive Case in Arabic: Idafa & Prepositions Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome, Arabic Explorer! If you’ve reached this point, you’re ready for a fundamental dive into Arabic grammar. Our topic today is the Genitive Case (Al-Jarr), a vital rule for understanding how nouns relate to each other in Arabic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’ll take you through a simple yet thorough journey to master the Genitive Case in Arabic, moving beyond the basics to ensure your proficiency. Our goal is to make this your ultimate, comprehensive reference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is the Genitive Case in Arabic and Its Primary Sign?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Genitive Case (Al-Jarr) is one of the three case endings for nouns in Arabic (Nominative, Accusative, Genitive).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

When we say a noun is “Majr\u016br” (in the Genitive Case), it means its position in the sentence requires a specific vowel mark on its final letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Arabic Term<\/th>English Meaning<\/th>Primary Sign<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
\u0627\u0644\u062c\u0631\u0651 (Al-Jarr)<\/td>Genitive Case<\/td>Kasra (\u0650)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Kasra is the original and most common sign that appears on the end of a singular noun, broken plural, and sound feminine plural when it is in the Genitive Case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example:<\/strong> I rode in the car. \u0631\u0643\u0628\u062a\u064f \u0641\u0650\u064a \u0627\u0644\u0633\u0651\u064e\u064a\u0651\u064e\u0627\u0631\u064e\u0629\u0650. (al-sayy\u0101rati is Genitive with a Kasra).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

When Does a Noun Take the Genitive Case? (The Three Causes)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are three main contexts that put a noun into the Genitive Case (Al-Jarr). When you see any of these three, the following noun must be in the Genitive state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

After a Preposition (\u1e24ur\u016bf Al-Jarr)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most common reason for the Genitive in Arabic is that the noun follows one of the prepositions (\u1e24ur\u016bf Al-Jarr). This noun is called the “Majr\u016br Bi-l-\u1e24arf” (Noun made Genitive by the preposition).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Rule:<\/strong> Every noun that immediately follows a preposition must be in the Genitive Case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Common Prepositions and Examples:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Preposition<\/th>Common Meaning<\/th>Arabic Example<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
\u0645\u0650\u0646\u0652 (min)<\/td>From<\/td>I returned from the library. \u0639\u062f\u062a\u064f \u0645\u0650\u0646\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0645\u064e\u0643\u0652\u062a\u064e\u0628\u064e\u0629\u0650.<\/td><\/tr>
\u0625\u0644\u0649 (il\u0101)<\/td>To<\/td>I travelled to the village. \u0633\u0627\u0641\u0631\u062a\u064f \u0625\u0644\u0649 \u0627\u0644\u0642\u064e\u0631\u0652\u064a\u064e\u0629\u0650.<\/td><\/tr>
\u0639\u064e\u0644\u064e\u0649 (‘al\u0101)<\/td>On\/Upon<\/td>The cat is on the roof. \u0627\u0644\u0642\u0637\u0629\u064f \u0639\u064e\u0644\u064e\u0649 \u0627\u0644\u0633\u064e\u0651\u0637\u0652\u062d\u0650.<\/td><\/tr>
\u0641\u0650\u064a (f\u012b)<\/td>In\/Inside<\/td>We meet in the morning. \u0646\u0644\u062a\u0642\u064a \u0641\u064a \u0627\u0644\u0635\u064e\u0651\u0628\u064e\u0627\u062d\u0650.<\/td><\/tr>
\u0627\u0644\u0628\u0627\u0621 (bi-)<\/td>By\/With<\/td>I write with the pen. \u0623\u0643\u062a\u0628\u064f \u0628\u0627\u0644\u0642\u064e\u0644\u064e\u0645\u0650.<\/td><\/tr>
\u0627\u0644\u0644\u0627\u0645 (li-)<\/td>For\/Belonging to<\/td>The prize is for the student. \u0627\u0644\u062c\u0627\u0626\u0632\u0629\u064f \u0644\u0650\u0644\u0637\u064e\u0627\u0644\u0650\u0628\u0650.<\/td><\/tr>
\u0627\u0644\u0643\u064e\u0627\u0641 (ka-)<\/td>Like\/As<\/td>Her face is like the moon. \u0648\u062c\u0647\u0647\u0627 \u0643\u064e\u0627\u0644\u0628\u064e\u062f\u0652\u0631\u0650.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Second Term of a Possessive Structure (Idafa)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The second crucial reason for the Genitive Case Arabic is the structure known as Idafa (Al-I\u1e0d\u0101fah), or the Possessive\/Construct Phrase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

This structure consists of two consecutive nouns indicating possession or a descriptive relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Component<\/th>Position<\/th>Case Ending<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Al-Mudaf (Mu\u1e0d\u0101f)<\/td>The first noun (The possessed item)<\/td>Varies (Nom.\/Acc.\/Gen.)<\/td><\/tr>
Al-Mudaf \u02bcilayh (Mu\u1e0d\u0101f \u02bcilayh)<\/td>The second noun (The possessor\/clarifier)<\/td>Always Genitive<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Examples:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. The teacher’s book is new. \u0643\u0650\u062a\u064e\u0627\u0628\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0640\u0645\u064f\u0639\u064e\u0644\u0650\u0651\u0645\u0650 \u062c\u064e\u062f\u064a\u062f. (al-mu’allimi is Genitive).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. I saw the house’s door. \u0631\u0623\u064a\u062a\u064f \u0628\u064e\u0627\u0628\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0640\u0628\u064e\u064a\u0652\u062a\u0650. (al-bayti is Genitive).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    (Advanced) Nouns Following Certain Adverbs (\u1e92ur\u016bf)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A noun is also put into the Genitive Case if it follows certain adverbs (\u1e93ur\u016bf), especially those of time and place that are not indefinitely marked with tanw\u012bn. In this context, the adverb itself acts as the Mudaf, and the following noun is the Mudaf \u02bcilayh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n
    Adverb<\/th>Meaning<\/th>Example<\/th>Analysis<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    \u062a\u064e\u062d\u0652\u062a\u064e (ta\u1e25ta)<\/td>Under<\/td>We sat under the tree. \u062c\u0644\u0633\u0646\u0627 \u062a\u064e\u062d\u0652\u062a\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0634\u064e\u0651\u062c\u064e\u0631\u064e\u0629\u0650.<\/td>al-shajarati is Genitive because it’s the Mudaf \u02bcilayh.<\/td><\/tr>
    \u0642\u064e\u0628\u0652\u0644\u064e (qabla)<\/td>Before<\/td>He arrived before the call to prayer. \u0648\u0635\u0644 \u0642\u064e\u0628\u0652\u0644\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0623\u064e\u0630\u064e\u0627\u0646\u0650.<\/td>al-a\u1e0f\u0101ni is Genitive because it’s the Mudaf \u02bcilayh.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Detailed Genitive Signs: When to Use ‘Yaa’ or ‘Fathah’<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    While the Kasra is the default sign for the Genitive Case in Arabic, the sign changes for specific types of nouns. You need to memorize these substitutions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n
    Noun Type<\/th>Sign<\/th>Reason<\/th>Example in Genitive Case<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Singular \/ Broken Plural \/ Sound Feminine Plural<\/td>Kasra (\u0650)<\/td>The default sign.<\/td>from the mosque (\u0645\u0650\u0646\u0652 \u0627\u0644\u0645\u064e\u0633\u0652\u062c\u0650\u062f\u0650), to the students (\u0625\u0644\u0649 \u0627\u0644\u0637\u064e\u0651\u0627\u0644\u0650\u0628\u064e\u0627\u062a\u0650)<\/td><\/tr>
    Dual (Muthann\u0101)<\/td>Yaa (\u064a)<\/td>The Yaa substitutes for the Kasra.<\/td>I greeted two teachers. \u0633\u0644\u0645\u062a\u064f \u0639\u0644\u0649 \u0645\u064f\u0639\u064e\u0644\u0650\u0651\u0645\u064e\u0640\u0640\u064a\u0652\u0640\u0646\u0650.<\/td><\/tr>
    Sound Masculine Plural<\/td>Yaa (\u064a)<\/td>The Yaa substitutes for the Kasra.<\/td>I passed by the engineers. \u0645\u0631\u0631\u062a\u064f \u0628\u0640\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0645\u064f\u0647\u064e\u0646\u0652\u062f\u0650\u0633\u0650\u0640\u064a\u0646\u064e.<\/td><\/tr>
    The Five Nouns (Al-Asm\u0101\u2019 Al-Khamsah)<\/td>Yaa (\u064a)<\/td>It is marked by Yaa in the Genitive Case.<\/td>Talk to your brother. \u062a\u062d\u062f\u0651\u062b \u0645\u0639 \u0623\u064e\u062e\u0650\u064a\u0643\u064e.<\/td><\/tr>
    Diptotes (Al-Mamnu’ min A\u1e63-\u1e62arf)<\/td>Fathah (\u064e)<\/td>Exception! The Fathah substitutes for the Kasra.<\/td>I prayed in many mosques. \u0635\u0644\u064a\u062a\u064f \u0641\u064a \u0645\u064e\u0633\u064e\u0627\u062c\u0650\u062f\u064e \u0643\u064e\u062b\u0650\u064a\u0631\u064e\u0629\u064d.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    The Idafa (Construct Phrase) in Detail: Rules You Can’t Forget!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The Idafa construction is the foundation for mastering the Genitive in Arabic and has strict rules that must be followed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Strict Rules for the Mudaf (The First Noun):<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The first noun (Mudaf) must adhere to the rule: “No Al-, No Tanw\u012bn, and Drop the Noon.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n
    Rule<\/th>Explanation<\/th>Example<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    No \u0627\u0644\u0640 Definite Article<\/td>The Mudaf can never take the definite article \u0627\u0644\u0640.<\/td>(\u0627\u0644\u0652\u0643\u0650\u062a\u064e\u0627\u0628\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0637\u064e\u0651\u0627\u0644\u0650\u0628\u0650) is Wrong.<\/td><\/tr>
    No Tanw\u0131\u02c9n<\/td>The Mudaf can never have tanw\u012bn (\u2212un, \u2212in, \u2212an).<\/td>(\u0643\u0650\u062a\u064e\u0627\u0628\u064c \u0627\u0644\u0637\u064e\u0651\u0627\u0644\u0650\u0628\u0650) is Wrong.<\/td><\/tr>
    Noon Drop<\/td>The final N\u016bn of the Dual and Sound Masculine Plural forms must be dropped from the Mudaf.<\/td>(\u0643\u0650\u062a\u064e\u0627\u0628\u064e\u0627 \u0627\u0644\u0637\u064e\u0651\u0627\u0644\u0650\u0628\u0650) is Correct instead of (\u0643\u0650\u062a\u064e\u0627\u0628\u064e\u0627\u0646\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0637\u064e\u0651\u0627\u0644\u0650\u0628\u0650).<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Complex Idafa (Chain of Possession)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The Idafa structure can consist of more than two nouns. In this case, every noun after the very first Mudaf becomes a Mudaf \u02bcilayh (Genitive).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n