Arabic – Grammar The Attributive Relative to Place – 1AS – Letters

The Relative Adjective Attribution to Places

The relative adjective nisba indicates attribution to a person place tribe or concept.

Formation

Adding the suffix iyyun or iyyatun to a noun. Examples: Algeria becomes Algerian. Cairo becomes Cairene.

Spelling Changes

Words ending with ta marbuta: drop it before adding. Words ending with alif: may change. Words ending with ya: various changes. Examples: Riyadh becomes Riyadhi. Makkah becomes Makki.

Exceptions

Some words have irregular relative adjectives. Examples: Father becomes paternal.

Exercises

Form relative adjectives: 1) Egypt. 2) Damascus. 3) Morocco. 4) Baghdad. 5) Lebanon.

See Relative Adjective and Grammar.