I'rab of Surah An-Naba Ayah 24: word by word Arabic grammar
Surah An-Naba (النبأ) · Meccan · Ayah 24
لَّا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا بَرْدًۭا وَلَا شَرَابًا TransliterationLaa yadhooqoona feehaa bardan wa laa sharaaba
MeaningThey taste therein neither coolness nor any drink.
Here the punishment is detailed: the transgressors taste neither coolness nor any drink. The negating 'laa' introduces the present-tense verb, 'in it' attaches to a circumstantial sense, 'coolness' is the direct object, and 'drink' is joined to it by the waw, with the second 'laa' added to strengthen the negation.
Word by word i'rab
negation particle (harf nafi)
This 'laa' negates the present-tense verb that follows, denying that they taste anything refreshing.
indeclinablepresent-tense verb (fi'l mudari')
An imperfect verb in the nominative (no nasib or jazim present), with the waw of the plural as its subject, 'they.'
nominativeprepositional phrase (jarr wa majrur)
'Fii' governs the pronoun 'haa' (Hell) in the genitive; it attaches to a circumstantial state of the verb's subject.
genitivedirect object (maf'ul bihi)
'Coolness' is the accusative direct object of 'taste,' marked with tanwin, denying any relief from the heat.
accusativeconnecting particle (harf 'atf)
This waw joins the following noun onto the direct object 'bardan' in the same accusative role.
indeclinableextra negation particle (laa za'ida lit-tawkid)
This second 'laa' is added to reinforce the negation, emphasizing the total absence of relief.
indeclinablenoun joined by 'atf (ma'tuf)
'Drink' is joined by the waw onto 'bardan' and takes the same accusative case with tanwin.
accusativeDetailed i'rab
The verse opens with the negating 'laa,' which denies the present-tense verb 'yadhooqoona' ('they taste'). This imperfect verb stands in the nominative, since no accusative-inducing or jussive particle precedes it, and its subject is the attached waw of the masculine plural, 'they.' 'Feehaa' is 'fii' plus the pronoun 'haa' referring to Hell, genitive as object of the preposition, attached to a circumstantial state of the subject. 'Bardan' is the accusative direct object of the verb, marked by tanwin, denying them any coolness. The waw then joins 'sharaaban' onto 'bardan' in the same accusative role, while the second 'laa' is added merely to strengthen the negation. The sense is that they will taste nothing cool and no drink at all.
Frequently asked
Why is 'yadhooqoona' in the nominative despite the preceding 'laa'?
This 'laa' is purely negating, not jussive; it does not change the verb's ending, so the imperfect verb keeps its nominative form with the plural nun.
What is the function of the second 'laa' before 'sharaaban'?
It is an extra particle added to emphasize and confirm the negation, stressing that they taste absolutely nothing refreshing.
What case is 'sharaaban' and how is it linked to 'bardan'?
It is accusative with tanwin, joined by the waw of conjunction onto 'bardan,' sharing its role as object of 'taste.'