Comments on: Beginner Lesson #10 - We have to go.

by: Mounia

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:55:33 +0000

Hi Kelly,

That’s a really good question. Sorry for the late reply.

In the feminine “you” form (أنْتِ), verbs end with a fatHa, or the sound “a.” For example: “you go”, ‘anti tadhhabiina (أنْتِ تَذهَبينَ), or “you do”, ‘anti turiidina (أنتِ تُريدينَ).

Usually, when the verbs are followed by another word, then we pronounce the grammatical ending “a.” Otherwise, it’s optional and some native speakers choose not to pronounce the “a” sound when the phrase ends with the verb. It sounds more natural.

For example: ‘anti tadhhabiina ‘ilaa al-madrasa (you go to school) but I can say ‘’ ‘ayna tadhhabiin?” (where do you go?)

Or,” ‘anti turiidiina qahwa” (you want coffee). But I can say, “madhaa turiidiin?” (What do you want?)

Note that in all cases, the Haraka “a” is present but we tend to pronounce it more when verbs are in the middle of a sentence.

by: Kelly

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:17:03 +0000

I’ve noticed that in the female “you” form, sometimes the word is transcribed with an “a” sound at the end but is pronounced without it, or vice versa. For example, in today’s lesson, there was the word “tadhhabiina” but I didn’t hear the “a” sound at the end of it. How do I know when to pronounce the “a” sound and when not to?

Thanks!

by: Mounia

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:40:17 +0000

That’s a good point Anitagomez. The difference is regional. The word for “key” in Standard Arabic is indeed “miftaaH” (مِفْتاح) with a kasra as you mentioned. However, in some countries in the Middle East, people pronounce it “muftaaH” when they speak.

by: anitagomez

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:47:32 +0000

Thanks for another great lesson. I wonder if there is a difference between “muftah” as shown in the vocab list and “miftah”. I only know the latter version with kasrah for “keys”.