#26 Kalimat Pasif (Fiil Bina Majhul) | Nahwu Animated Learning

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the concept of passive sentences in Arabic, specifically focusing on the "Fiil Bina Majhul" (the passive voice). Understanding this grammatical structure is essential for enhancing your Arabic language skills, particularly in reading and writing.

Step 1: Understanding Passive Voice

• Definition: The passive voice in Arabic, known as "Fiil Bina Majhul," emphasizes the action rather than the subject performing the action.
• Usage: It is used when the doer of the action is unknown, irrelevant, or when the focus is on the action itself.
• Structure: In passive constructions, the verb form changes, and the subject is often omitted.

Step 2: Identifying Active vs. Passive

• Active Voice: The subject performs the action.
  • Example: "The teacher teaches the students."
• Passive Voice: The action is performed on the subject.
  • Example: "The students are taught (by the teacher)."
• Tip: To convert an active sentence to passive, identify the object of the active sentence and make it the subject of the passive sentence.

Step 3: Forming Passive Sentences

1. Identify the Verb: Start with a complete sentence in active form.
2. Change the Verb Form:
   • For past tense, use the appropriate passive form of the verb.
   • Example:
     • Active: "كتب الطالب الرسالة" (The student wrote the letter).
     • Passive: "كُتِبَت الرسالة" (The letter was written).
3. Adjust the Subject: Omit the original subject or include it if necessary.
4. Examples of Verb Changes:
   • "كَتَبَ" (he wrote) becomes "كُتِبَ" (it was written).
   • "أَكَلَ" (he ate) becomes "أُكِلَ" (it was eaten).

Step 4: Practice with Examples

• Transform the following active sentences into passive:
  1. "أكل الولد التفاحة" (The boy ate the apple).
     • Passive: "أُكِلَت التفاحة" (The apple was eaten).
  2. "بنى المهندس الجسر" (The engineer built the bridge).
     • Passive: "بُنيَ الجسر" (The bridge was built).

Step 5: Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Neglecting the Verb Change: Always ensure the verb is correctly altered to reflect the passive form.
• Omitting the Object: Make sure the object of the active sentence becomes the subject in the passive form.
• Overusing Passive Voice: While it's useful, excessive use can make sentences unclear. Balance it with active constructions.

Conclusion

Understanding and using the passive voice in Arabic can significantly improve your language skills. Practice converting sentences between active and passive forms to enhance your fluency. As a next step, try writing a short paragraph using both active and passive sentences to solidify your understanding.