🔡 Word Families — Sarf

Arabic words belong to families derived from a common root (جذر). Each root has a core idea that connects all words in its family.

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Learn roots, not rules

When you see a new word, ask: what root does it come from, and what idea does that root carry? Tap + related words to see the full root family.

5 verbs in this chapter

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Special Root Family

Assimilated Root

و ض أ — This root begins with a weak letter (و or ي). The first letter sometimes blends with the prefix in present-tense forms — this is a recognised Arabic pattern.

Lesson Word

تَوَضَّأَ

To perform wudoo' (ablution)

Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.

Root (جذر)

و ض أ

Root Insight

Core Idea — Ritual purification with water — preparing the body for prayer.

·ablution (wuḍūʾ)
·purity, cleanliness
·clarity, brightness (waḍāʾah — something shining)

Related concepts: ablution, purification, prayer, cleanliness, water

Word Family

و ض أ

تَوَضَّأَDictionary Form

يَتَوَضَّأُPresent Form

تَوَضَّأْCommand Form

تَوَضُّؤAction Noun

Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms

تَوَضَّأَ

She

تَوَضَّأَتْ

Command Form:تَوَضَّأْ

Action Noun:تَوَضُّؤ

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Special Root Family

Defective Root

ص ل و — This root ends with a weak letter (و or ي). The final letter may appear differently in some forms — this follows a well-known Arabic pattern.

Lesson Word

صَلَّى

To pray

Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.

Root (جذر)

ص ل و

Root Insight

Core Idea — The connection between worshipper and Creator — the backbone of devotion.

·prayer, the ṣalāh ritual
·blessings upon the Prophet (ṣallā)
·the loin/back (the worshipper bends)
·a mosque (maṣallā)

Related concepts: prayer, salah, blessing, mosque, devotion, connection

Word Family

ص ل و

صَلَّىDictionary Form

يُصَلِّيPresent Form

صَلِّCommand Form

صَلَاةAction Noun

Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms

صَلَّى

She

صَلَّىتْ

Command Form:صَلِّ

Action Noun:صَلَاة

Lesson Word

فَعَلَ

To do / to act

Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.

Root (جذر)

ف ع ل

Root Insight

Core Idea — The basic act of doing — action itself.

·doing, acting
·a deed or act
·a verb (fiʿl) in Arabic grammar
·the effect produced by an action

Related concepts: action, deed, verb, doing, effect

Word Family

ف ع ل

فَعَلَDictionary Form

يَفْعَلُPresent Form

اِفْعَلْCommand Form

فِعْلAction Noun

Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms

فَعَلْتُ

You (M)

فَعَلْتَ

You (F)

فَعَلْتِ

فَعَلَ

She

فَعَلَتْ

فَعَلْنَا

You (Plural)

فَعَلْتُمْ

They

فَعَلُوا

Command Form:اِفْعَلْ

Action Noun:فِعْل

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Special Root Family

Hamzated Root

أ ذ ن — This root contains a hamza (ء). Hamza spelling follows standard Arabic orthography rules and does not change the meaning or pronunciation significantly.

Lesson Word

أَذَّنَ

To call the adhan

Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.

Root (جذر)

أ ذ ن

Root Insight

Core Idea — Acknowledging a sound — and by extension, granting permission.

·the ear as the organ that receives
·granting permission or authorisation
·the call to prayer (أذان) — a public announcement
·listening attentively

Related concepts: ear, permission, announcement, call to prayer

Word Family

أ ذ ن

أَذَّنَDictionary Form

يُؤَذِّنُPresent Form

أَذِّنْCommand Form

أَذَانAction Noun

Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms

أَذَّنْتُ

You (M)

أَذَّنْتَ

You (F)

أَذَّنْتِ

أَذَّنَ

She

أَذَّنَتْ

أَذَّنْنَا

You (Plural)

أَذَّنْتُمْ

They

أَذَّنُوا

Command Form:أَذِّنْ

Action Noun:أَذَان

Lesson Word

سَلَّمَ

To give salaam / to greet

Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.

Root (جذر)

س ل م

Root Insight

Core Idea — Wholeness — the soundness that produces peace and safety.

·peace, safety, security
·submission to God (Islām)
·greeting (salām)
·being free from defect or harm
·handing over (taslīm)

Related concepts: peace, safety, Islam, greeting, wholeness, submission

Word Family

س ل م

سَلَّمَDictionary Form

يُسَلِّمُPresent Form

سَلِّمْCommand Form

تَسْلِيمAction Noun

Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms

سَلَّمْتُ

You (M)

سَلَّمْتَ

You (F)

سَلَّمْتِ

سَلَّمَ

She

سَلَّمَتْ

سَلَّمْنَا

You (Plural)

سَلَّمْتُمْ

They

سَلَّمُوا

Command Form:سَلِّمْ

Action Noun:تَسْلِيم

🔄 Practice Conjugation

Test yourself on all conjugated forms