The Renaming Word

Level 4

The Badal (البدل) is a 'substitute' or 'renaming word' that follows a preceding noun (the Mubdal Minhu) to clarify who or what is being discussed. It is the intended object of the statement, following the case of the word it replaces.

How It Works

The Badal (The Renaming Word) is a noun that is the intended object of the statement (al-maqsud bi-l-hukm), following an antecedent (the mubdal minhu) which serves as a preparatory mention. It follows the case of the antecedent, whether it is nominative, accusative, or genitive. There are four primary types:

  • Total Badal (Badal al-Mutabiq): The substitute is identical to the first noun (e.g., 'The Caliph Umar'). In this type, the substitute must match the antecedent in gender and number. While they often match in definiteness, this is not a strict requirement.
  • Partial Badal (Badal al-Ba'd): The substitute is a physical part of the first noun and requires a bound pronoun that links it back to the antecedent (e.g., 'I ate the loaf, its third'). This pronoun must agree with the antecedent in gender and number.
  • Inclusion Badal (Badal al-Ishtimal): The substitute is a quality or non-physical part associated with the first noun and requires a bound pronoun that agrees with the antecedent in gender and number (e.g., 'I liked the book, its style').
  • The Disparate/Variant Substitute (Badal al-Mubayin): This is an umbrella term for when the substitute is different from the antecedent, covering slips of the tongue (Ghalat), forgetfulness (Nisyan), and changing one's mind (Idrab).

Advanced learners should note that verbs and entire sentences can also function as Badal for other verbs or sentences to provide clarification. A common use occurs when a definite noun follows a demonstrative like hadha. However, if the demonstrative follows a vocative particle, the definite noun is treated as an adjective (Na't) rather than a Badal.

Examples (6)

  1. جاءَ الخليفةُ عمرُ.

    The Caliph Umar came.

    Word by Word: Came the caliph Umar.

    This demonstrates a Total Badal. The name 'Umar' is the substitute for the title 'al-Khalifa'. The Badal 'Umar' follows the nominative case of the antecedent.

  2. رأيتُ حماراً فرساً.

    I saw a donkey, [I mean] a horse.

    Word by Word: I saw a donkey a horse.

    This is a Badal of Error (Badal al-Ghalat). The speaker accidentally said 'donkey' and immediately corrected it to 'horse'. Both nouns take the accusative case.

  3. قرأتُ الكتابَ نصفَه.

    I read half of the book.

    Word by Word: I read the book half of it.

    This is a Partial Badal. 'Half' (nisfa) is a physical part of the book. It matches the accusative case of 'al-kitaba' and requires a bound pronoun referring back to the book.

  4. أعجبني الطالبُ ذكاؤُه.

    The student's intelligence impressed me.

    Word by Word: Impressed me the student his intelligence.

    This is an Inclusion Badal. 'Intelligence' is a non-physical quality associated with the student. It follows the nominative case of 'al-talibu' and requires a bound pronoun.

  5. هذا الرجلُ طبيبٌ.

    This man is a doctor.

    Word by Word: This the man (is) a doctor.

    When a definite noun follows a demonstrative, it functions as a Badal. 'Al-rajulu' renames 'hadha'.

  6. ومن يفعلْ ذلك يلقَ أثاماً يضاعفْ له العذابُ.

    And whoever does that will meet a penalty; the punishment will be doubled for him.

    Word by Word: And who does that meets penalty be doubled for him the punishment.

    This illustrates a Verbal Badal. The verb 'yuda'af' (be doubled) acts as a substitute for 'yalqa' (meet/receive), clarifying the nature of the penalty.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting the attached pronoun in Partial or Inclusion Badal.

    أكلتُ الرغيفَ النصفَ.
    أكلتُ الرغيفَ نِصْفَهُ.

    Unlike English, Arabic requires a pronoun (like -hu) to link the 'part' back to the 'whole' when using Badal.

  • Failing to match the case of the first noun.

    رأيتُ المَلِكَ فَهْدٌ.
    رأيتُ المَلِكَ فَهْداً.

    If the first noun is the object (accusative), the Badal must also be accusative. 'Fahdan' must match 'al-Malika'.

  • Dropping al- when 'this book' is meant.

    Different Meaningهذا كتابٌ
    هذا الكتابُ مفيدٌ.

    هذا كتابٌ is correct and means 'This is a book.' To say 'this book' as a phrase, as in هذا الكتابُ مفيدٌ, the noun needs the definite article.

How It Connects

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

The Renaming WordLevel 4

Learn This First

To understand the 'Renaming Word' (البدل), you must first be comfortable with how Arabic nouns change their endings based on their role in a sentence (I'rab). Since the Badaal acts as a shadow to another noun, it will always mimic its case ending, whether it is a subject, object, or following a preposition.