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ءو

Root entry · 2 derived lemmas

This root primarily concerns the particle 'aw' (أو) and its multifaceted grammatical functions. It acts as a conjunction, indicating doubt, choice, ambiguity, or a combination of items. It can also function similarly to 'to', 'for permission', 'except', and can introduce conditional clauses or express approximation.

Derived headwords

أوparticle
  1. 1.
    conjunctionboth

    A particle used for coordination, connecting words, phrases, or clauses.

  2. 2.
    doubtboth

    Used to express uncertainty or doubt between two options.

  3. 3.
    choiceboth

    Indicates a choice or option between alternatives.

  4. 4.
    ambiguityboth

    Used to express vagueness or ambiguity.

  5. 5.
    combinationboth

    Can signify a general combination of items.

  6. 6.
    divisionboth

    Used to denote division or distribution.

  7. 7.
    approximationboth

    Indicates approximation or near-equality.

  8. 8.
    toclassical

    Can be used with a meaning similar to 'to' or 'until'.

  9. 9.
    permissionboth

    Used to indicate permissibility or allowance.

  10. 10.
    exceptboth

    Functions as an exception, similar to 'illa' (إلا), and can be followed by an implied 'an' (أن) with the subjunctive verb.

  11. 11.
    conditionalboth

    Can introduce a conditional clause, similar to 'if'.

  12. 12.
    partitiveboth

    Used to indicate a part of a whole or a selection.

  13. 13.
    butclassical

    Can be used with the meaning of 'bal' (بل), signifying contrast.

  14. 14.
    untilclassical

    Can be used with the meaning of 'hatta' (حتى).

  15. 15.
    thenclassical

    Can be used with the meaning of 'idhan' (إذن).

الأوnoun
  1. 1.
    the 'aw'classical

    When 'aw' is treated as a noun, the 'waw' is vocalized with a damma, referring to the particle itself.

Parallel reading

ما أدري أسلم أو ودع
I don't know if he greeted or left.
كسرت كعوبها أو تستقيما
Its heels were broken, or it might become straight.
لأضربنه عاش أو مات
I will surely strike him, whether he lives or dies.
قالوا: كونوا هودا أو نصارى
They said: 'Be Jews or Christians.'
دع الأو جانبا
Leave the 'aw' aside.