Elementary Arabic Syntax 1
Vocative
What is a vocative?
A vocative is the intended result of saying 'I call…'How many forms of vocatives are there?
There are two forms of vocatives:
• One that is in the possessive form and accusative case: for example یا عبد الله (Ay, ‛Abd Allah or Allah's servant) or a common noun that is not specified: for example یا غافلاً تَنَبّهُ (Ay heedless one! Pay attention.)
• One that is indeclinable on whatever would put it in the nominative case and is either a proper noun or a common noun that is specified. For example: یا خالدُ (Ay, Khalid) or یا رجُلُ (Ay, man).