🔡 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.
19 verbs in this chapter
Lesson Word
To stay / remain
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 destroy
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 control / be in charge of
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 — What comes from behind — management from the back.
- ·the back, rear side
- ·planning, managing (looking ahead from behind)
- ·the end of a matter
- ·going around behind
Related concepts: back, rear, planning, management, conclusion
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Special Root Family
Hollow Rootق و ض — 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 be destroyed
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 bear
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
Assimilated Rootو ق ع — 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
To expect
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 smile
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 grimace
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 shorten
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 — Falling short — limitation and the shortness that defines.
- ·shortness (in height or length)
- ·a palace (qaṣr — once meant a lofty restricted place)
- ·falling short, being unable
- ·restricting, limiting
Related concepts: shortness, limitation, palace, inability, restriction
Word Family
Grammar Details — All Conjugated Forms
Special Root Family
Assimilated Rootو د ع — 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
To bid farewell
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 gloomy
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 wish a good morning
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 be resentful / dissatisfied
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
Defective Rootم س 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 wish a good evening
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 frown
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 disturb / spoil
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 aspire to
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
Hamzated Rootأ ل ف — This root contains a hamza (ء). Hamza spelling follows standard Arabic orthography rules and does not change the meaning or pronunciation significantly.
Lesson Word
To get used to
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
Hamzated Rootك أ ب — This root contains a hamza (ء). Hamza spelling follows standard Arabic orthography rules and does not change the meaning or pronunciation significantly.
Lesson Word
To be sad / upset
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
Test yourself on all conjugated forms