غير + Genitive Noun

Non- and Un-

Level 4

The word غير (ghayr) is the standard way in Modern Standard Arabic to create negative adjectives (e.g., 'impossible') or to categorize things as 'non-' something. It is always followed by a noun or adjective in the genitive case.

How It Works

The pattern غير + مضاف إليه is a versatile tool in formal Arabic. Here is how to use it correctly:

  • Negating Adjectives: It negates a quality (e.g., ghayr mumkin - not possible). It does not necessarily imply the polar opposite, but rather the absence of the quality.
  • Exception (Istithna'): It can mean 'except' or 'other than'. In this role, it functions like illa but remains a noun that governs the following word in the genitive. Crucially, غير inherits the case ending that the noun following illa would have taken in the same sentence structure.
  • Case Inflection: Unlike some particles, غير is fully declinable for case (ghayru, ghayra, ghayri). When it acts as an adjective (na't), it must match the case of the noun it modifies, though it remains invariant for gender and number.
  • Grammatical Case of the Follower: Because it is an Idafa, the word following غير must always be in the genitive case.
  • The 'Al-Ghayr' Exception: In modern legal and journalistic Arabic, الغير is used as a standalone noun meaning 'others' or 'third parties'. However, note that classical grammarians often avoid this usage, considering it a solecism because غير is inherently an addition word.
  • Usage Restriction: Never use غير to negate a verb. For verbs, use la or other verbal negators.

Examples (5)

  1. هذا الحل غير ممكن.

    This solution is not possible.

    Word by Word: This the-solution other possible.

    Here, 'ghayr' negates the adjective 'possible'. Note that 'mumkin' is in the genitive case.

  2. قدمت الطالبة إجابة غير صحيحة.

    The student provided an incorrect answer.

    Word by Word: Provided the-student(f) answer other correct.

    In this sentence, 'ghayra' takes the accusative case because it describes 'ijabatan' (an answer), which is the direct object.

  3. حضر جميع الطلاب غير طالب واحد.

    All the students attended except for one student.

    Word by Word: Attended all the-students other student one.

    This demonstrates 'ghayr' used for exception (istithna'), meaning 'except' or 'other than'.

  4. يجب حماية حقوق الغير.

    The rights of others must be protected.

    Word by Word: Must protection rights the-other.

    In legal and formal contexts, 'al-ghayr' functions as a standalone noun meaning 'others' or 'third parties'.

  5. هذه المنظمات غير حكومية.

    These organizations are non-governmental.

    Word by Word: These the-organizations other governmental.

    Notice that 'ghayr' remains in the singular masculine form even though it describes a plural feminine noun (munazzamat).

Common Mistakes

  • Adding the definite article 'al-' to 'ghayr' when it is part of an Idafa.

    الغير صحيح
    غير الصحيح

    In a possessive construction (Idafa), the first word does not take "al-"; definiteness is marked on the second word. The form الغير is common in modern writing, but careful editors avoid it, and غير الصحيح is the safe choice.

  • Using 'ghayr' to negate a verb.

    هو غير يذهب
    هو لا يذهب

    'Ghayr' is a noun and can only negate other nouns or adjectives. To negate a present tense verb, use 'la'.

  • Failing to use the genitive case for the word following 'ghayr'.

    غير ممكنٌ
    غير ممكنٍ

    The word following 'ghayr' is a 'mudaf ilayh' and must take the genitive ending (kasra/tanwin kasr).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

غير + Genitive NounLevel 4Non- and Un-

Learn This First

To understand 'غير' as a negator, you must first be familiar with the Idafa construction (possession/joining nouns), as 'غير' acts as the first term and the negated noun acts as the second term (mudaf ilayh), which requires knowledge of the genitive case endings.

Words in This Pattern

غير