Ism - Nomenclature and Signs

Ism (اسم) is one of the three categories of Arabic words, the others beings f'il and ḥarf. Although ism is loosely translated as "noun", it includes more than just nouns.

Nomenclature of Ism

There are differing opinions as to the nomenclature of ism. Two opinions are mentioned:

1. It comes from the word سُمُوٌّ (high) since an ism is superior over its two counterparts f’il and ḥarf, possibly because of its greater commonality in language or because it indicates to a meaning on its own and is not limited to time.

2. It comes from the word وِسمٌ (sign) since it is the sign or branding of a person or thing. وَسَمَ يَسِمُ means to “brand a cattle”, i.e. to give the cattle an identity. Similarly, an ism such as “a pen” is a word that is used to identify what we know as pen.

Signs of an Ism

An Ism can be determined from any one of the following signs:

1. يصح الإخبار عنه: information can be given about it

   • Note: الإخبار عنه can be better defined as محكوم عليه as it includes both الجملة الخبرية and الجملة الإنشائية

   • For instance, in the sentence رجل قائم (a man is standing), the word رجل (a man) is an ism because the word قائم (standing) gives information about رجل, that he is standing

2. يصح الإخبار به: information can be given through it

   • For instance, in the sentence رجل قائم (a man is standing), the word قائم (standing) is an ism because the word gives information about a man

3. الإضافة: possessive noun

   • This is a phrase that indicates possession of something. It usually involves the lack of an ال and tanween on the first word, and a kasrah on the second word.

   • For instance, in كتابُ المدرّسِ (the teacher’s book), both words are considered ism.

4. دخول لام التعريف: having a “lām of definiteness” (ال)

   • For instance, الرجل (the man)

5. حالة الجر: being in the genitive case

   • For instance, بقلمٍ (with a pen)

6. التنوين: “nunnation”

   • For instance, قلمٌ (a pen)

7. التثنية: dual form

   • For instance, رجلان (two men)

8. الجمع: plural form

   • For instance, رجال (men)

9. النعت: adjective

   • For instance, in the phrase رجلٌ عالمٌ (a knowledgeable man), عالمٌ (knowledgeable) describes رجلٌ (a man)

10. التصغير: diminutive form

    • اسم التصغير are often on the pattern of فُعَيل and gives the meaning of younger or smaller

    • For instance, رُجيلٌ (a small man)

11. النداء: to be called

    • اسم النداء are proceeded by حرف النداء (particle of calling) such as ياء, أيا, هيأ, أ, أي

    • For instance, يا آدم (Oh Adam)

And Allāh knows best.