Ṣarf (Morphology)
Ṣarf teaches how Arabic words are built, how they change form, and what each pattern means. Master the patterns and the dictionary opens to you.
Choose your level
Each course follows a classical text. Start where your study ends.
What is Ṣarf?
Ṣarf is the study of the structure of the Arabic word. It explains roots and patterns, verb forms, derived nouns, and the changes that weak letters undergo. Naḥw tells you how a word functions in the sentence. Ṣarf tells you what the word is.
What you will gain
- Recognise the pattern of any word you meet
- Conjugate verbs across all forms
- Find words in the classical dictionaries
- Read the Qurʾān and classical texts with greater precision
The order of study
- Level 1: Ṣarf-e Bahāʾī, a short classical primer for beginners
- Level 2: Mīzān uṣ-Ṣarf and Munshaʿib, a detailed study of verb forms and patterns
- Level 3: Taṣrīf al-ʿIzzī of az-Zanjānī, the classical text, or Shadhā al-ʿArf, the comprehensive modern work
Begin with Level 1
New to Ṣarf? Start with Ṣarf-e Bahāʾī. Already studied some? Choose your level above.