---
title: "كَاتِب (kātib) meaning in Arabic: writer, clerk"
description: "كَاتِب (kātib) means “writer, clerk”. Root ك·ت·ب, pattern فَاعِل, level A2: forms, related words and how to read it letter by letter, from the Fasaha dictionary."
canonical: "https://fasaha.app/w/katib"
language: "en"
direction: "ltr"
---

# كَاتِب

*kātib* · **writer, clerk**

كَاتِب (kātib) is an Arabic noun meaning “writer, clerk”. It is built on the root ك·ت·ب in the pattern فَاعِل. Fasaha’s library first uses it at level A2.

- Part of speech: Noun
- Root: ك·ت·ب
- Pattern: فَاعِل
- Level: A2

## Words from the root ك·ت·ب

Arabic builds families of words on one root. These share the root ك·ت·ب with كَاتِب; each opens its own entry.

- [كَتَبَ](https://fasaha.app/w/aktubu) — kataba, to write (A1)
- [مَكْتَبَة](https://fasaha.app/w/maktaba) — maktaba, library; bookshop (A1)
- [كِتَاب](https://fasaha.app/w/kitab) — kitāb, book (A0)
- [مَكْتُوب](https://fasaha.app/w/maktub) — maktūb, written; letter (A2)
- [كِتَابَة](https://fasaha.app/w/kitaba) — kitāba, writing (A1)
- [مَكْتَب](https://fasaha.app/w/maktab) — maktab, office; desk (A1)

## How to read كَاتِب, letter by letter

4 letters, read from right to left. The marks above and below the letters are the short vowels.

- ك — كاف (kāf): k
- ا — ألف (ʾalif): a long a, or a seat for hamza
- ت — تاء (tāʾ): t
- ب — باء (bāʾ): b

## Questions about كَاتِب

### What is the root of كَاتِب?

The root of كَاتِب is ك·ت·ب. Words built on the same root include كَتَبَ (to write), مَكْتَبَة (library; bookshop), كِتَاب (book), مَكْتُوب (written; letter).

### What pattern does كَاتِب follow?

كَاتِب follows the pattern فَاعِل, with the root letters ك·ت·ب poured into it.

### What level is كَاتِب?

Fasaha first uses كَاتِب at level A2, on a scale from A0 (first words) to C2 (classical prose).


[All words in the Fasaha dictionary](https://fasaha.app/w)