Active & Passive Participles (اسم الفاعل واسم المفعول)
Learn how to derive the active participle (doer noun) and passive participle (done-to noun) from Arabic verbs across all ten forms.
Active Participle from Form I (اسم الفاعل)
The active participle (اسم الفاعل) describes the doer of an action. From Form I, it follows the pattern فَاعِل: • كَتَبَ (wrote) → كَاتِب (writer/one who writes) • دَرَسَ (studied) → دَارِس (student/one who studies) • عَمِلَ (worked) → عَامِل (worker) The active participle behaves like an adjective: it takes gender, number, and case endings. • Masculine: كَاتِبٌ | Feminine: كَاتِبَةٌ • Plural: كَاتِبُونَ / كُتَّابٌ (broken plural) As a noun, it names the doer: مُعَلِّم (teacher), كَاتِب (writer). As an adjective, it describes a quality: مَاء جَارٍ (running water).
2 more sections and 5 practice questions
"Active & Passive Participles (اسم الفاعل واسم المفعول)" is one of 38 grammar lessons in Fahm Premium, each with worked examples and self-checking practice. The first 3 grammar lessons are free to try.
- Passive Participle from Form I (اسم المفعول)
- Participles from Forms II-X
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Frequently asked questions
What is Active & Passive Participles in Arabic?
Learn how to derive the active participle (doer noun) and passive participle (done-to noun) from Arabic verbs across all ten forms.
How do you use Active & Passive Participles in Arabic?
The active participle (اسم الفاعل) describes the doer of an action. From Form I, it follows the pattern فَاعِل:
What are common examples of Active & Passive Participles in Arabic?
Examples from this lesson include "kātibun" (a writer / one who writes), "tālibun" (a student / seeker (of knowledge)), "ar-rajulu al-jālisu hunāka" (The man sitting there) and "'āmilatun fī al-mustashfā" (a (female) worker in the hospital).