Elementary Arabic Morphology 2
The Diminutive Pattern
What is the diminutive pattern?
What are the rules of the diminutive pattern?
When is the letter after the diminutive yā' given a fathah?
The diminutive pattern is a form which indicates smallness, degradation or love. For example: وَلَد (boy) becomes وُلَید (small boy)
The rules of the diminutive pattern are:
• The first letter of the word must be given a dummah
• The second letter must be given a fathah and if it is a weak letter it is put in its original form and then given a fathah
• Then the diminutive yā' is added after the second letter without any vowel sign
• The next letter is given a kasrah except in some cases where it is given a fathah
- The letter after the diminutive yā' is given a fathah if it is followed by a tā' or an alif. For example: زُهرَة (flower) becomes زُهَیرَة (small flower).