خَيَّمَ زَيْدٌ
Translation: Zayd entered a tent.
خَيَّمْتُهُ
Translation: I gave it the shape of a tent.
The first illustrates bulūgh: the subject enters a place. The second illustrates taḥwīl: an object is changed into a form.
These uses are related to the same lexical idea but differ in sentence structure and semantic function. The stem alone cannot decide the interpretation.
LessonsThirteen Semantic Properties of Form II (Tafʿīl): From Causation and Multiplicity to Independent MeaningsQuiz
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Reaching a Place versus Transforming an Object
خَيَّمَ زَيْدٌ
Translation: Zayd entered a tent.
خَيَّمْتُهُ
Translation: I gave it the shape of a tent.
The first illustrates bulūgh: the subject enters a place. The second illustrates taḥwīl: an object is changed into a form.
These uses are related to the same lexical idea but differ in sentence structure and semantic function. The stem alone cannot decide the interpretation.