Derived Nouns: The Passive Participle (Ism Maf'ool)

Read the bilingual lesson for Derived Nouns: The Passive Participle (Ism Maf'ool) and test your understanding with a focused quiz.

Lesson

1. Introduction to Ism Maf'ool

بحث اسم مفعول ◦ Ism Maf'ool (اسمِ مفعول): The Passive Participle, which describes the recipient of an action (e.g., "one who is helped", "the hit thing"). ◦ Like Ism Fa'il, it is a derived noun constructed from passive future/present verbs. ◦ It uses the identical 6-form noun grid representing singular, dual, and plural for both genders.

2. Definition and Construction of Ism Maf'ool

◦ Construction Rule from Passive Present: ◦ Remove the present/future marker (علامتِ مضارع). ◦ Prefix an open Meem (مَـ) to the remaining stem. ◦ Give the second root letter (Ayn-letter) a Dhummah (پیش). ◦ Insert a silent Waaw (وْ) between the second and third root letters. ◦ Give the final root letter (Laam-letter) a Tanween (double پیش ٌ). ◦ Resulting Weight: مَفْعُوْلٌ (Maf-'oo-lun).

3. The 6-Noun Ism Maf'ool Conjugation Grid

GenderSingularDualPlural Masculineمَفْعُوْلٌمَفْعُوْلَانِمَفْعُوْلُوْنَ Feminineمَفْعُوْلَةٌمَفْعُوْلَتَانِمَفْعُوْلَاتٌ ◦ Recite the 6 forms of the passive participle, noting the gender/number endings:

4. Deep-Dive Practical Application with "Nasara"

◦ Look at the prefix: مَنْصُـ. In the regular sound triliteral template displayed here, the Meem has Fathah and the first root letter is silent.

Practice questions

Question 1: Choose the correct answer

What is the default morphological weight of the passive participle (Ism Maf'ool) for bare trilateral verbs?

  • فَاعِلٌ
  • مَفْعُوْلٌ
  • مَفْعَلٌ
  • مِفْعَالٌ

Question 2: Match the correct pairs

Match each Ism Maf'ool form to its correct translation (using the root meaning "to help").

Question 3: Sort into the correct groups

Sort these derived nouns based on whether they are Active Participles (Ism Fa'il) or Passive Participles (Ism Maf'ool).

Question 4: Choose the correct answer

Select the correct Arabic Ism Maf'ool form for: "One female who is helped" (using root نَصَرَ).

  • مَنْصُوْرَةٌ
  • مَنْصُوْرٌ
  • نَاصِرَةٌ

Question 5: Choose the correct answer

What silent letter is inserted between the Ayn and Laam root letters to form Ism Maf'ool?

  • Alif (الف)
  • Waaw (واؤ)
  • Yaa (یاء)
  • Noon (نون)

Question 6: Choose the correct answer

What is the grammatical profile of the form مَنْصُوْرَاتٌ?

  • Plural Feminine Passive Participle
  • Plural Masculine Passive Participle
  • Dual Feminine Passive Participle
  • Plural Feminine Active Participle

Question 7: Choose the correct answer

Parse the conjugation form مَفْعُوْلَانِ. What actor does it represent?

  • Dual Masculine Passive Participle
  • Dual Feminine Passive Participle
  • Plural Masculine Passive Participle
  • Singular Masculine Passive Participle

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