- Arabic language is based on roots.
- The root of the word is it’s origin and refers to the core meaning of the word.
- the roots always appear in the same order
- much of arabic grammar is concerned with how the root is manipulated to create different meanings
Application
The emphasis on the root consonants means that the vowels are of secondary importance. Roots are considered the building blocks of arabic language and are helpful to guess the meaning of vocabulary.
Example
For example s/f/r (in this order) carries the meaning of Travel
| Meaning | Word |
|---|---|
| Journey | safar |
| February | yusafir |
| March | safir |
| Traveller | musafir |
| embassy | sifara |
Additional points
- Most arabic words have a sequence of three root consonants
- Words with doubled root letter - where this is the case it is often written with shadda
- Words with four root letters - e.g. tarjama (t/r/j/m) but often are repeated pairs, e.g. zalzal (z/l/z/l)
- Words of foreign origin - loaned words fall out of the root system, for e.g. intarnat (internet)