Karnataka II PUC Arabic (KSEAB) key terms

Ordinary written Arabic that is not arranged in metre or rhyme, used for stories, articles and essays in the prescribed prose lessons. It is recognised by natural sentence flow, paragraphing and everyday syntax rather than a fixed rhythmic pattern.

A short narrative with few characters, one main event and a clear ending. Prescribed lessons of this type are tested through questions on plot, character, setting and the lesson's message.

A person portrayed in a story or lesson, revealed through speech, actions, appearance and what others say. Exam questions often ask candidates to describe a character's qualities and role in the plot.

Conversation between two or more characters in a prose lesson, usually marked by speech verbs, question marks and quotation. It reveals personality, advances the plot and often carries the lesson's main teaching.

The central point a passage conveys, stated in a topic sentence or left implied. Summarising it in one or two sentences is a common comprehension task and a test of close reading.

A writer's characteristic way of using words, sentence length, imagery and tone. Comparing styles helps explain why a passage sounds formal, simple, emotional or persuasive, and supports answers on author's purpose.

A poem composed in measured, rhyming Arabic verse. The prescribed poetry lessons are قصائد, and questions ask about theme, structure, rhyme, metre and the effect of poetic devices.

One line of Arabic poetry, normally made of two halves. Counting verses, quoting a line and explaining its meaning are basic skills in poetry answers, so learn to identify where each بيت begins and ends.

The first half of a verse, read before the pause in the middle of the line. Together with the عجز it completes the بيت and carries part of the poem's rhythm.

The second half of a verse, following the pause marked in printed poems. It completes the بيت with the صدر and usually carries the rhyme sound at the end.

The recurring final sound or letter ending the verses of a poem. Identifying the قافية helps describe the poem's music, unity and structure, and is often asked alongside metre.

The fixed rhythmic pattern of an Arabic poem, built from repeated feet of long and short syllables. Naming the بحر shows understanding of prosody, though exam answers usually focus more on meaning and imagery.

A comparison that uses a particle such as كـ, مثل or كأن to link two things sharing a quality. Quoting a تشبيه and explaining the shared quality is a reliable way to earn marks in poetry answers.

A comparison in which one thing is stated as another without a comparison particle, so the listener pictures it directly. Recognising استعارة and explaining its effect is needed for higher-level poetry questions.

Analysing a word's grammatical role and ending, then giving the reason for that ending. A complete answer names the case or mood, the sign marking it and the grammatical factor that causes it.

Describing a word that carries the nominative ending, usually a damma, or its substitute such as و or ألف. Subjects, predicates and doers are normally مرفوع, so the label appears constantly in parsing answers.

Describing a word that carries the accusative ending, usually a fatha, or its substitute such as ي or كسرة. Direct objects, some adverbs and complements are منصوب, and each ending needs a stated reason.

Describing a noun that follows a preposition or forms the second part of a possessive phrase, marked by kasra or its substitute. Missing this case is a common error when translating short sentences.

A verb expressing an action completed before the moment of speaking. It is recognised by its pattern and by subject suffixes, and it does not change mood with particles the way a present verb does.

A verb expressing an action happening now, continuing, or yet to happen. It begins with one of the prefixes أ، ن، ي، ت, and its ending changes according to the particles before it.

A verb used to give a command or request. It is built from the present verb by removing the prefix and adjusting the ending, and it addresses the listener directly.

A noun that names an action without tying it to past, present or future time, such as كتابة for the act of writing. It behaves like other nouns and is widely used in formal prose and translation.

A word derived from a verb that names the person or thing doing the action, often on the pattern فاعل. It works like an adjective, agreeing in gender, number and case with what it describes.

A word derived from a verb that names the person or thing on which the action is done, often on the pattern مفعول. Like other adjectives it agrees with the noun it describes.

The basic consonants of an Arabic word, usually three, from which related words are built by adding vowels and extra letters. Finding the root helps in dictionary use and in recognising word families.

The pattern of vowels and added letters fitted to a root, such as فَعَلَ, فاعل or مَفْعُول. Comparing a word's pattern with its root explains how meaning changes across derived forms.

A particle such as في, من, على, إلى or عن that links a noun to the rest of the sentence and puts that noun in the genitive. Choosing the right preposition is essential for accurate translation.

The noun naming the doer of an action in a verbal sentence. It is always nominative, and the verb agrees with it in gender though not always in number.

The noun that receives the action of a transitive verb. It is normally accusative, and identifying it correctly is necessary before a sentence can be translated.

Rendering meaning from Arabic into English or from English into Arabic while preserving sense, tone and register. Examiners reward accurate meaning and natural target language, not a word-for-word copy of the original.

A word with a meaning close to another word. Synonyms are rarely identical in tone or usage, so candidates should choose the equivalent that fits the sentence rather than the first one in a dictionary.

A word with the opposite meaning to another. Antonym questions test vocabulary depth, and explaining a contrast between two words can strengthen comprehension and composition answers.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words. Translating it literally produces nonsense, so learn common idioms as whole units with an English equivalent.

The words and situation surrounding a term, which determine its correct meaning and translation. Checking context prevents wrong dictionary choices, especially with words that have several senses.

A structured piece of writing on a set topic, with an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. Marks depend on relevant ideas, clear organisation, correct grammar and appropriate vocabulary.

A written message with a greeting, body and closing, either formal or personal. Exam tasks may ask for an application, an invitation or a letter to a friend, so learn the standard openings and endings.

The opening paragraph of an essay or letter. It states the topic, gives a brief plan and interests the reader, and should be short, relevant and linked to the question.

The closing paragraph of an essay or letter. It sums up the main points, may offer a wish or recommendation, and should not introduce a completely new topic.