🔡 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.
3 verbs in this chapter
Special Root Family
Hollow Rootس و ق — 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 shop / to go shopping
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 — Driving forward — pushing toward a destination.
- ·driving animals or vehicles
- ·a marketplace (sūq) — where things are driven to be sold
- ·the shin (the driving limb)
- ·impelling, compelling
Related concepts: driving, marketplace, market, push, shin
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Special Root Family
Hollow Rootق و ل — 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 say / to tell
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 — Verbal expression — what is spoken.
- ·saying, speaking
- ·a statement, word
- ·an opinion (qawl — one's expressed view)
- ·a saying, maxim
Related concepts: speech, saying, statement, opinion, word
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Special Root Family
Defective Rootش ر ي — 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
To buy / to purchase
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 — Exchange of hands — buying and selling as a single act.
- ·buying (in Classical Arabic, this root can mean to buy)
- ·selling
- ·the transaction between two parties
Related concepts: buying, selling, exchange, transaction
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Test yourself on all conjugated forms