كم

Root entry · 3 derived lemmas

This root primarily deals with the concept of quantity, number, and asking about it. It encompasses interrogative and declarative uses related to counting, as well as abstract notions of amount and magnitude.

Derived headwords

كَمْparticle

1.
how manyboth
An interrogative particle used to inquire about a specific number or quantity.
2.
how muchboth
Used interrogatively to ask about an unspecified amount or extent.
3.
howclassical
Can function similarly to 'rubba' (ربّ) when used declaratively, implying a large number or amount.

الْكَمّnoun

1.
quantityboth
The abstract concept of amount or number, often used in contrast to quality.

الْكَمِّيَّةnoun

1.
quantityboth
A specific amount or measure of something; a numerical value.

Parallel reading

كَمْ: اسم ناقص مبني على السكون، (أو سؤال عن العدد، ويعمل في الخبر عمل رب)

Kam: an incomplete noun built on sukoon, (or a question about the number, and it operates on the predicate like rubba).

أو مؤلفة من كاف التشبيه وما، ثم قصرت، وأسكنت، وهي للاستفهام وينصب ما بعدها تمييزا

Or composed of the particle 'ka' of simile and 'ma', then shortened, and made quiescent; and it is for interrogation, and what follows it is منصوب (accusative) as a specification.

أو للخبر ويخفض ما بعدها حينئذ، كرب

Or for declaration, and what follows it is majrur (genitive) at that time, like rubba.

وقد يرفع

And it may be marfu' (nominative).

تقول: كم رجل كريم قد أتاني

You say: How many a noble man has come to me.

وقد تجعل اسما تاما فتصرف وتشدد

And it may be made a complete noun, so it is declined and intensified.

وتقول: أكثر من الكم والكمية

And you say: more in quantity and amount.