Making Intransitive Verbs Transitive

Lesson objective

In this lesson, you will learn how some verbs change from describing an action to causing that action.

Intransitive verbs

An intransitive verb does not require a direct object. Examples include: dxl (to enter), xrj (to leave/go out), ḍнk (to laugh), ṭaн (to fall), hbṭ (to go down), xaf (to be afraid), šrb (to drink), fhm (to understand), ṭl3 (to go up). These verbs contain three basic consonants.

Forming the transitive verb

Double the middle consonant by adding a shedda. The new verb usually means to make someone or something do the action.

Example

kat-ḍнk. — You laugh.
kat-ḍннkni. — You make me laugh.