Language/South-levantine-arabic/Grammar/Plurals

South Levantine Arabic Grammar - Plurals

Hi South Levantine Arabic learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to form plurals in South Levantine Arabic. Making plurals is one of the most essential and basic skills in learning Levantine Arabic. Once you know how to form plurals, you can easily understand and interpret the language. As always, we will use cultural information and interesting facts to illustrate the lesson in a simple and informal tone with analogies to explain complex concepts. And don't forget to use the Polyglot Club website to find native speakers and ask them any questions! 🌍

Singular and Plural

In South Levantine Arabic, we form the plural by adding specific letters to the end of the singular noun. Some singular nouns follow a specific pattern to form the plural, while others do not follow any specific rule.

For example, the word for "book" in South Levantine Arabic is "ketaab" (كتاب), and the plural is "kotoba" (كتب). Another example is the word for "car" in South Levantine Arabic, which is "sayyara" (سيارة), and the plural is "sayyaara" (سيارات).

However, some singular nouns do not have a specific pattern to form the plural. For instance, the word for "man" in South Levantine Arabic is "rajul" (رجل), and the plural is "rijjaal" (رجال). Similarly, the word for "woman" in South Levantine Arabic is "imra'a" (امرأة), and the plural is "nisa'" (نساء).

In general, when it comes to forming plurals, the best way is to memorize the plural form of each noun.

Plurals with "een" ending

One of the most common endings for forming plurals in South Levantine Arabic is "een" (ين) after the last consonant of the singular noun.

For example, the word for "house" in South Levantine Arabic is "bayt" (بيت), and the plural is "bayteen" (بيوت). Another example of this pattern is the word for "hand" in South Levantine Arabic, which is "yadd" (يد), and the plural is "yadeen" (يدين).

Here are some more examples:

South Levantine Arabic	Pronunciation	English
ذئب	z'eeb	wolf
ذئاب	z'yaab	wolves
حكاية	h'kaayeh	story
حكايات	hkayyaat	stories
رف	ruf	bookshelf
رفوف	rufuuf	bookshelves

Plurals with "aat" ending

Another common way to form plurals in South Levantine Arabic is by using the "aat" (ات) ending. Usually, this pattern applies to feminine singular nouns that end with "a" or "e" in South Levantine Arabic.

For example, the word for "pen" in South Levantine Arabic is "qalam" (قلم), and the plural is "aqlaam" (أقلام). Another example is the word for "eye" in South Levantine Arabic, which is "ein" (عين), and the plural is "a'yoon" (أعيون).

Here are some more examples:

South Levantine Arabic	Pronunciation	English
حمار	h'maar	donkey
حمير	h'meir	donkeys
مدرسة	madraseh	school
مدارس	madarés	schools
كلب	kalb	dog
كلاب	kláb	dogs

Remember, not all singular nouns follow a specific pattern to form the plural. Some of them require learning the plural separately.

Plurals with "een" and "aat" ending

Some singular nouns in South Levantine Arabic may take either the "een" or "aat" ending to form the plural. It is essential to memorize the correct plural form of the noun.

For example, the word for "cat" in South Levantine Arabic is "qitt" (قط), and the plural can be "qaateen" (قطين) or "qutat" (قطط). Another example is the word for "teacher" in South Levantine Arabic, which is "mu'allim" (معلم), and the plural can be "mu'allimeen" (معلمين) or "mu'allimaat" (معلمات).

Here are a few more examples:

South Levantine Arabic	Pronunciation	English
باب	baab	door
ابواب	abwaab	doors
ثعلب	tha'lab	fox
ثعالب	tha'alab	foxes
ساعة	saa'a	hour
ساعات	sa'awaat	hours

Exceptions

As with any rule, there are exceptions when it comes to forming plurals in South Levantine Arabic. Some singular nouns irregularly form their plural, and you will have to memorize their plural form as you learn.

For example, the word for "child" in South Levantine Arabic is "tuffah" (طفل), and the plural is "tuffaah" (أطفال). Another exception is the word for "foot" in South Levantine Arabic, which is "rijl" (رجل), and the plural is "rijlaan" (رجلان).

Here are some more examples of exceptions:

South Levantine Arabic	Pronunciation	English
دجاجة	dajaajéh	chicken
دجاج	dajaaj	chickens
يد	yad	hand
أيادي	ayaa'di	hands
فم	fam	mouth
أفواه	afwaa	mouths

Dialogue

A: هيدا عين. (haida ein) - This is an eye. B: نعم، هيدا عين. (naam, haida ein) - Yes, this is an eye. A: شو بدك تساوي في هيدا العين؟ (shu biddak tsawwi fi haida al-ein?) - What do you want to do with this eye? B: بدي أشتري أعيون جديدة. (bedi ashtari a'yoon jadeedeh) - I want to buy new eyes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, forming plurals in South Levantine Arabic is not difficult, but like any language rule, it requires practice and perseverance to master. Understanding plurals is essential to communicate efficiently in Levantine Arabic. To improve your South Levantine Arabic Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions! 👋

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Sources

• Levantine Arabic
• Arabic plurals
• Semitic plural

Great work on completing this lesson! Take a moment to investigate these connected pages: Say Hello and Greetings in South Levantine Arabic, Adjectives & Questions.

Other Lessons

• How to Use Have
• Adjectives
• Conditional Mood
• Pronouns
• Give your Opinion
• Negation
• Questions
• How to Use Be
• Gender