In a nutshell: Hollow verbs in Arabic have a weak middle root letter, like “و,” “ي,” or “ا,” and their conjugation changes depending on tense and pronoun. These verbs, commonly used in everyday and classical Arabic, exhibit vowel changes or disappear entirely in certain forms, making them essential to understanding Arabic grammar and verb patterns.
Imagine trying to speak Arabic without using verbs like “to say” (قال, qāla), “to stand” (قام, qāma), or “to be” (كان, kāna)! They appear in classical Arabic and everyday expressions. For example: قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم – “The Prophet (peace be upon him) said…”. This phrase is used frequently in narrating hadiths.
And to use them correctly you have to understand hollow verbs (الأفعال الجوفاء, al-af‘āl al-jawfā’) in Arabic.
That’s why I am here today, to guide you step by step in understanding Arabic hollow verbs.
What Are Hollow Verbs in Arabic?
Arabic hollow verb (al-afi‘l al-ajawf الفعل الأجوف), is a verb whose middle root letter is a weak letter (حرف علة, ḥarf ‘illah). The weak letters are و (wāw), ي (yā’) and ا (alif). The middle root letter is not always visible in some conjugations, which is why understanding their patterns is important.
Why are they called “hollow verbs”?
When we conjugate the middle letter, which is a long vowel (حرف علة – harf ‘illah), this middle letter sometimes disappears or changes. It’s like the inside has been taken out, leaving a kind of ’emptiness’ in the middle of the verb.
Another way to understand this is to think of the word “جوف” (jawf) in Arabic. It means “cavity” or “interior.” The long vowel sits in the “jawf” or the middle of the verb, hence the name “hollow verb” ( الفعل الأجوف – al-fi’l al-Ajawwaf).
How Are Hollow Verbs Formed in Arabic?
To understand Arabic hollow verbs, you need to know the root system (الجذر, al-jidhr) of Arabic. Most hollow verbs follow a triliteral root pattern (جذر ثلاثي, jidhr thulāthī). For hollow verbs, the second root letter is either و (wāw) or ي (yā’), as shown below:
- قال (qāla) – Root: ق و ل (qāf – wāw – lām)
- باع (bā‘a) – Root: ب ي ع (bā’ – yā’ – ‘ayn)
Arabic hollow verbs appear in different patterns based on their tense or grammatical form. These changes follow specific rules that, once understood, simplify the learning process.
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Book Your Free TrialThe Patterns of ِArabic Hollow Verbs in the Past Tense
When learning about Arabic hollow verbs in the past tense (al-māḍī, الماضي), it’s essential to pay attention to how these verbs change depending on the pronouns attached to them.
In the simplest form of the past tense, hollow verbs show a long vowel (مد, mad) before the final root letter (لام الفعل, lām al-fi‘l).
سارَ (sāra) – He walked
- Root: س ي ر (sīn – yā’ – rā’)
- The yā’ changes to alif for fluidity.
This pattern applies to third-person singular forms, which are the base for conjugating other forms.
When the Hollow Verb in the Past Connects to Plural Feminine or First-Person Pronouns
Here, the long vowel is replaced with a short vowel (ḥarakah), and the final root letter becomes silent (ساكنة, sākinah).
| Pronoun | Form of قال | Transliteration | Meaning |
| نحن (naḥnu) | قُلْنا | qulnā | We said |
| أنا (ana) | قُلْتُ | qultu | I said |
| هنَّ (hunna) | قُلْنَ | qulna | They (fem.) said |
Example:
قلتُ الحمد لله
I said, “Praise be to Allah.”
The Patterns of Hollow Verbs in the Present Tense
Arabic hollow verbs in the present tense (al-muḍāri‘, المضارع) can take on various forms based on what is added to them, such as particles, prefixes, or pronouns.
1. Hollow Verb in Jussive Mood (المجزوم) with Sukūn
When a hollow verb is in the jussive mood because of a particle like لم (lam – “did not”), the middle root letter (عين الفعل, ‘ayn al-fi‘l) is dropped. The last root letter (لام الفعل, lām al-fi‘l) becomes sākinah.
For example:
قال – يقول – لم يَقُلْ
(qāla – yaqūlu – lam yaql)
“He said – He says – He did not say.”
The wāw is dropped, and the final lām takes sukūn for smooth pronunciation.
2. When Hollow Verbs Are Attached to Feminine Plural Pronouns (نون النسوة)
When hollow verbs are connected to nūn an-niswah (the feminine plural suffix), the middle root letter is dropped, leaving only its vowel sound.
For example:
قال – يقول – يَقُلْنَ
(qāla – yaqūlu – yaqulna)
“He said – He says – They (fem.) say.”
The wāw is dropped, and nūn an-niswah is added at the end, marking a feminine subject.
النساء يَقُلْنَ الحق
“The women speak the truth.”
3. Nominative, Subjunctive, or Jussive with Pronouns Attached
When hollow verbs are attached to pronouns like dual suffix (ألف الاثنين), plural suffix (واو الجماعة), or feminine singular suffix (ياء المخاطبة), the long vowel reappears, and the last root letter is vocalized (mutaḥarrikah).
| Pronoun | Form of قال | Transliteration | Meaning |
| هما (humā) | يقولان | yaqūlān | They (two) say |
| هم (hum) | يقولون | yaqūlūna | They (masc. pl.) say |
| أنتِ (anti) | تقولين | taqūlīn | You (fem. sing.) say |
| أنتَ (anta) | تقولُ | taqūlu | You (masc. sing.) say |
| أنتما (antumā) | تقولانِ | taqūlāni | You (two) say |
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Book Your Free TrialRead also: Arabic irregular verbs
The Patterns of Arabic Hollow Verbs in the Imperative Tense
Hollow verbs in the imperative tense (ṣīghat al-amr, صيغة الأمر) also follow specific patterns depending on what pronouns or structures are attached to them.
1. Arabic Hollow Verbs in Singular Masculine Form of the Imperative
For the singular masculine form of the imperative, the middle root letter (عين الفعل, ‘ayn al-fi‘l) is dropped, leaving only its vowel. The last root letter (لام الفعل, lām al-fi‘l) becomes sākin.
نَامَ – نَمْ
(nāma – nam)
“He slept – Sleep!”
- The alif is dropped, and the fatha from the previous letter remains.
2. Arabic Hollow Verbs When Attached to Feminine Plural (نون النسوة) in the Imperative
When attached to nūn an-niswah (the feminine plural suffix), the middle root letter is dropped, but its vowel remains, and the last root letter becomes silent (sākin).
سَارَ – سِرْ – سِرْنَ
(sāra – sir – sirna)
“He walked – Walk (masc. sing.) – Walk (fem. pl.).”
3. Imperative on the Pattern افتعل (ifta‘ala)
For hollow verbs on the ifta‘ala pattern, the middle root letter and its vowel are dropped, leaving the fatha before it. The last root letter becomes sākin.
اخْتَارَ – اخْتَرْ
(ikhtāra – ikhtar)
“He chose – Choose!”
4. Hollow Verbs Attached to Pronouns in the Imperative
When the imperative is connected to pronouns like feminine singular suffix (ياء المخاطبة) the middle root letter is dropped. However, its vowel sound is extended (madd), and the last root letter becomes vocalized (mutaḥarrik).
| Pronoun | Form of عاد | Transliteration | Meaning |
| أنتم (hum) | عُودُوا | ‘ūdū | Return (masc. pl.) |
| أنتِ (anti) | عُودِي | ‘ūdī | Return (fem. sing.) |
| أنتما (antumā) | عُودَا | ‘ūdā | You (two) say |
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Conclusion:
Hollow verbs (الأفعال الجوفاء) in Arabic are those in which the middle root letter is a weak vowel, such as “و” (wāw), “ي” (yā’), or “ا” (alif). These verbs follow a triliteral root pattern and exhibit changes in their conjugation depending on tense, pronoun, or mood.
The middle vowel often disappears or changes in various forms, which is why they are called “hollow verbs.” They are commonly used in classical Arabic, everyday speech, and religious texts, with examples like “قال” (qāla) meaning “to say” or “قام” (qāma) meaning “to stand.”
The conjugation of hollow verbs varies based on tense (past, present, or imperative) and pronoun.
- In the past tense, these verbs show a long vowel, which changes when attached to plural or first-person pronouns.
- In the present tense, hollow verbs may drop the middle root letter in jussive mood or when connected to feminine plural pronouns.
- In the imperative, the middle vowel is dropped or modified depending on the subject.
FAQs about Hollow Verbs in Arabic
What is a hollow verb in Arabic grammar?
An Arabic hollow verb (الفعل الأجوف – al-fi’l al-ajwaf) is a triliteral verb whose second (middle) root letter is a weak letter (حرف علة – ḥarf ‘illah), specifically wāw (و) or yā’ (ي). In the past tense base form, this weak letter displays as an alif (ا), as seen in common verbs like qāla (قال) and bā‘a (باع).
Why are they called hollow verbs?
They are called hollow verbs because the middle root letter disappears or shortens to a brief vowel sound during specific conjugations. The Arabic term جوف (jawf) translates to “cavity” or “interior,” indicating that the “inside” or center of the verb becomes empty when attached to certain pronouns or tenses.
What happens to hollow verbs in the past tense?
In the past tense (al-māḍī), a hollow verb retains its long alif vowel when conjugated with third-person singular pronouns (e.g., sāra – سار). However, when connecting to first-person, second-person, or third-person plural feminine pronouns, the long middle vowel drops entirely and is replaced by a short vowel, making the final root letter silent (sākinah), such as qultu (قُلْتُ).
How do you conjugate an Arabic hollow verb in the jussive mood?
When an Arabic hollow verb enters the jussive mood (al-majzūm), typically preceded by particles like lam (لم), the middle root letter is dropped to prevent the meeting of two silent letters. For example, the present tense yaqūlu (يقول) drops its wāw to become lam yaqul (لم يَقُلْ), leaving a sukūn on the final letter.
What is the rule for hollow verbs in the singular masculine imperative form?
In the singular masculine imperative form (ṣīghat al-amr), the middle weak root letter of a hollow verb is completely dropped, leaving only its corresponding short vowel sound. The final root letter takes a sukūn. For instance, the verb nāma (نام) becomes nam (نَمْ), and sāra (سار) becomes sir (سِرْ).
