Level A1

Basic Prepositions

Master the most common Arabic prepositions: in, from, to, on, with, at, between, in front of, and behind.

Essential One-Letter and Two-Letter Prepositions

Arabic has several very common short prepositions. The noun following a preposition takes the genitive case (مَجْرُور), which is marked by kasra or kasratan. • فِي (fī) = in, at • مِنْ (min) = from, of • إِلَى (ilā) = to, toward • عَلَى ('alā) = on, upon, about • بِ (bi-) = with, by, in (attached as prefix) • لِ (li-) = for, to (attached as prefix)

فِي البَيْتِ

fī al-bayti

in the house

البَيْت takes kasra (genitive) after the preposition.

مِنْ مِصْرَ

min misra

from Egypt

مِنْ indicates origin or source.

إِلَى المَدْرَسَةِ

ilā al-madrasati

to the school

إِلَى indicates direction or destination.

عَلَى الطَّاوِلَةِ

'alā at-tāwilati

on the table

عَلَى for physical position 'on top of.'

بِالقَلَمِ

bi-l-qalami

with the pen

بِ attaches directly to the following word.

لِلْمُعَلِّمِ

li-l-mu'allimi

for the teacher

لِ + ال contracts to لِلْ.

2 more sections and 5 practice questions

"Basic Prepositions" is one of 38 grammar lessons in Fahm Premium, each with worked examples and self-checking practice. The first 3 grammar lessons are free to try.

Also in this lesson

Common Longer Prepositions
Prepositions in Common Expressions

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Frequently asked questions

What is Basic Prepositions in Arabic?

Master the most common Arabic prepositions: in, from, to, on, with, at, between, in front of, and behind.

How do you use Basic Prepositions in Arabic?

Arabic has several very common short prepositions. The noun following a preposition takes the genitive case (مَجْرُور), which is marked by kasra or kasratan.

What are common examples of Basic Prepositions in Arabic?

Examples from this lesson include "fī al-bayti" (in the house), "min misra" (from Egypt), "ilā al-madrasati" (to the school) and "'alā at-tāwilati" (on the table).