🔡 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.
16 verbs in this chapter
Lesson Word
To prove / verify
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To embrace Islam
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 — 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
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Special Root Family
Hollow Rootع 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 lend
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To submit / surrender
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To take upon oneself
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To hold accountable
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To welcome
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To precede
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To understand
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Special Root Family
Hollow Rootض ي 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 annoy / irritate
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To bring happiness
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 — Rising toward good fortune — ascending toward happiness.
- ·happiness, felicity
- ·good luck, auspiciousness
- ·a lucky star or omen
- ·assistance, helping to ascend
Related concepts: happiness, fortune, luck, ascent, auspicious
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Special Root Family
Defective Rootأ ت 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 come
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To abrogate
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 — Replacing one text with another — and the copy that results.
- ·copying, transcribing
- ·abrogating (naskh — replacing an earlier ruling)
- ·a manuscript or copy
- ·the wind erasing tracks
Related concepts: copying, abrogation, manuscript, replacement, transcription
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To be corrupt(ed)
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To be righteous
Dictionary Form — the base form used in Arabic dictionaries. All other forms of this verb are built from this base.
Root (جذر)
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Lesson Word
To take out
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 — Emergence — leaving what is enclosed.
- ·going out, exiting
- ·graduation, completion
- ·producing or yielding (land "going out" crops)
- ·deviation, going beyond a norm
Related concepts: exit, emergence, graduation, production, departure
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Test yourself on all conjugated forms