🔡 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.
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.
8 verbs in this chapter
Special Root Family
Doubled Rootح ب ب — This root has two identical letters at the end. Arabic sometimes writes them together with a shadda (ّ), and the two letters may separate in certain forms.
Lesson Word
To love / to like
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Root Insight
Core Idea — Drawing close — the pull of affection.
- ·love, liking, affection
- ·a grain or seed (small, precious, close to the heart)
- ·a beloved person (ḥabīb)
- ·desire and attraction
Related concepts: love, affection, grain, beloved, desire
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To hate / to dislike
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Root Insight
Core Idea — Aversion — the turning away from what displeases.
- ·dislike, hatred
- ·reluctance, unwillingness
- ·compulsion (kurhan — against one's will)
- ·something repugnant
Related concepts: dislike, hatred, aversion, reluctance, compulsion
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To draw / to paint
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Root Insight
Core Idea — Leaving a visible trace — marking a surface.
- ·drawing, sketching
- ·an official decree or regulation (rasm)
- ·a trace or mark left behind
- ·a diagram or design
Related concepts: drawing, mark, trace, design, decree
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Special Root Family
Hollow Rootخ ي ر — This root has a weak middle letter (و or ي). Arabic naturally softens or shortens this letter in some forms — this is a regular Arabic pattern.
Lesson Word
To choose / to select
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Root Insight
Core Idea — Excellence — the better of two things, and goodness itself.
- ·goodness, virtue
- ·the better choice (preferring)
- ·charitable giving
- ·wealth (as a good thing)
Related concepts: goodness, virtue, choice, charity, excellence
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To become
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Root Insight
Core Idea — The moment of dawn — and the act of becoming something at that moment.
- ·morning, dawn
- ·becoming (aṣbaḥa = he came to be)
- ·oil for a lamp (subbāḥ)
- ·the first light of day
Related concepts: morning, dawn, becoming, daylight, transition
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To study
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Root Insight
Core Idea — Going over something repeatedly until it is absorbed.
- ·studying, learning
- ·teaching
- ·threshing grain (going over it repeatedly)
- ·a worn path (traces left by passage)
Related concepts: study, learning, repetition, teaching, lesson
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Special Root Family
Hollow Rootر و ح — This root has a weak middle letter (و or ي). Arabic naturally softens or shortens this letter in some forms — this is a regular Arabic pattern.
Lesson Word
To rest / to relax
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Root Insight
Core Idea — The breath of life — and the relief that comes with rest.
- ·the spirit, soul
- ·rest, relief, comfort
- ·wind, breeze
- ·the evening (time of returning home to rest)
Related concepts: spirit, soul, relief, wind, rest, evening
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To work
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Root Insight
Core Idea — Intentional action — work that produces an effect.
- ·work, labour
- ·a deed, an act
- ·a profession, craft
- ·a governor or agent (ʿāmil — one who acts on behalf)
Related concepts: work, action, deed, profession, labour, agent
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Test yourself on all conjugated forms