أَفْعَلُ is the core masculine singular pattern. Its initial hamzah and vowel structure distinguish it from the ordinary active participle pattern فَاعِلٌ.
Word / formMeaning / explanation
أَكْبَرُbigger, from k-b-r.
أَصْغَرُsmaller, from ṣ-gh-r.
أَعْلَمُmore knowledgeable, from ʿ-l-m.
In “زَيْدٌ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ عَمْرٍو,” Zayd is compared with ʿAmr. The form expresses relative degree, not a past-tense action.
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Ism al-Tafḍīl: Meaning, Eight Forms, Patterns and Use
أَفْعَلُ is the core masculine singular pattern. Its initial hamzah and vowel structure distinguish it from the ordinary active participle pattern فَاعِلٌ.
Word / formMeaning / explanation
أَكْبَرُbigger, from k-b-r.
أَصْغَرُsmaller, from ṣ-gh-r.
أَعْلَمُmore knowledgeable, from ʿ-l-m.
In “زَيْدٌ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ عَمْرٍو,” Zayd is compared with ʿAmr. The form expresses relative degree, not a past-tense action.