1- An
idaafa construction is very different from a
noun-adjective phrase.
A noun-adjective phrase can never show possession.
And, both nouns
are definite or both nouns are indefinite in a noun-adjective phrase.
2- In the
idaafa
construction if NOUN 2 is definite then NOUN 1 becomes definite
(without the definite article).
In an idaafa construction
only the second term can take the definite article.
The second noun determines
whether the entire construction is definite or indefinite.
Keep going! You're almost there.
Drill with answers
Make up idaafa
constructions by selecting any two nouns.
The declension of the idaafa construction in MSA/Classicalis as follows:
#1st
term of the idaafa:
Can be in the nominative,
accusative, or genitive depending on the
idaafa's grammatical role in the sentence.
Example: If the idaafa
construction plays the role of the "subject" within the
sentence; then the first term of the idaafa takes the
nominative case -- just as any regular stand alone subject
would.
#2nd
term of the idaafa:
Is always in the
genitive.
The genitive marker on the second term of the
idaafa
demonstrates possession.
EXCEPTION: Most proper s and certain indefinite forms of
broken plurals will appear in the accusative for the
genitive case.
Answers below for drill
Drill 1
problem - moshkila
the desk - ilmaktab
professor -
ostaaz
girl -
bint
chair - korsi
the countries - ilbilaad
cup - kobaaya
the class -
il fasl
school - madrasa
boys -
awlaad
shoe - gazma
Farida
Answers
(Drill 1)
مُشْكِلَةُ
الْبِلادِ
مُشْكِلِة
الْبِلاد
12
moshkilit
il bilaad the problem of the
countries