Tanween mark is a distinctive linguistic feature in Arabic that plays a crucial role in the structure and pronunciation of words, particularly nouns. This diacritical mark is not only a phonetic indicator but also a grammatical tool that helps to distinguish different types of words and their functions within a sentence. Follow the explanation of the tanween mark through Al-ehsana Academy.
What is Tanween?
Tanween refers to an additional, non-written, but spoken “n” sound at the end of a noun in Arabic. It is symbolized by doubling the vowel diacritic at the end of the word, depending on the case of the noun. Tanween is exclusively used with nouns and does not apply to verbs or particles.
Types of Tanween
There are three main types of Tanween, each corresponding to a different vowel sound:
- Tanween Al-Fath (Tanween of Opening): This is marked by two diagonal lines above the final letter, producing an “-an” sound. It is often accompanied by an additional Alif (ا) at the end of the word, such as in “كِتابًا” (kitāban).
- Tanween Al-Damm (Tanween of Raising): Represented by two small waw-shaped marks above the final letter, this Tanween creates an “-un” sound, as in “كِتابٌ” (kitābun).
- Tanween Al-Kasr (Tanween of Lowering): This type is indicated by two diagonal lines below the final letter, resulting in an “-in” sound, such as in “كِتابٍ” (kitābin).
The Function of Tanween mark
Tanween serves several important functions in Arabic:
- Indicating Indefiniteness: Tanween often marks a noun as indefinite, similar to the English articles “a” or “an.” For example, “كِتابٌ” (kitābun) means “a book,” whereas “الكِتابُ” (alkitābu) means “the book.”
- Clarifying Grammatical Case: Tanween reflects the grammatical case of a noun (nominative, accusative, or genitive). The type of Tanween used corresponds with the noun’s role in the sentence, whether as a subject, object, or governed by a preposition.
Rules Governing Tanween Usage
The application of Tanween follows specific grammatical rules:
- Tanween and Definite Nouns: A noun with the definite article “ال” (al) cannot take Tanween. For example, “الرجل” (al-rajul) means “the man,” and adding Tanween would be incorrect.
- Tanween in Construct State: When a noun is in a genitive construct (i.e., possessed by another noun), it cannot take Tanween. For instance, “بيتُ الرجلِ” (baytu al-rajuli), meaning “the man’s house,” does not use Tanween on “بيت” (house).
- Special Cases: When using Tanween Al-Fath, an additional Alif is often added to the word. However, this rule does not apply to words ending in Taa Marboota (ة) or Hamza (ء) following an Alif, such as “دُعاءً” (du‘ā’an).
Tanween mark in Different Contexts
The pronunciation and application of Tanween vary depending on the word’s ending:
- Words Ending in Taa Marboota: If a word ends with Taa Marboota (ة), such as “مَدْرسة” (madrasah). Tanween is placed directly on the final Taa, as in “مَدْرسةً” (madrasatan).
- Words Ending in Hamza: For words that end with a Hamza preceded by an Alif, such as “سَماء” (samā’). Tanween is placed on the Hamza, producing “سَماءً” (samā’an).
- Words with Alif Maqsura: In words ending with Alif Maqsura (ى), like “هدى” (hudā). the Tanween is placed on the letter preceding the Alif Maqsura, resulting in “هدًى” (hudāan).
Examples and Applications
To better understand Tanween, here are a few examples:
- Tanween Al-Fath: “رأيتُ نجمًا في السماء” (I saw a star in the sky).
- Tanween Al-Damm: “جاء رجلٌ كريمٌ” (A noble man came).
- Tanween Al-Kasr: “مررتُ بقلمٍ جميلٍ” (I passed by a beautiful pen).
Tanween is a fundamental aspect of Arabic grammar that enriches the language’s expressiveness and precision. It helps in identifying the grammatical case, indicating indefiniteness, and distinguishing nouns from other parts of speech. Mastery of Tanween is essential for anyone learning Arabic, as it is key to understanding the nuances of word usage and sentence structure in this rich and complex language.