A Hundred and One Rules in Arabic Grammar!

  1. Helping Vowels ==================

Helping Vowels replace the Zero Vowel when the following word starts with Hamza. Therefore, an environment for using a helping vowel will be created every time one uses a definite article. The purpose of this Phonological Rule is to provide a smooth transition from one word to the next. Generally speaking, this transition is governed by the following rules.

a. If the proceeding vowel is FatHa the helping vowel is Kasra.

Is the book new?    (هَلْ ) هَل ِ الکتابُ جديدٌ؟

b. If the proceeding vowel is Kasra, the helping vowel is FatHa.

This pencil is from the office.     مِنَ المکتَبِ.    هذا القلمُ (مِنْ)

c. If the proceeding vowel is Dhamma, the helping vowel is Dhamma.

**لماذا (قابَلتـُمْ) قابَلتـُمُ المديرَةَ؟                                      **

Why did you (m, pl) meet the director (f)?