كنت

Root entry · 11 derived lemmas

This root primarily relates to concepts of strength, power, and firmness, often in a physical or characterological sense. It also encompasses notions of submission, contentment, and the quality of a container.

Derived headwords

كُنْتُverb

1.
I wasboth
The first-person singular past tense of the verb 'to be'. It is used to indicate a past state or existence.

كانَverb

1.
to beboth
The past tense verb 'to be', used to describe states, existence, or identity in the past.

كُنْتِيٌّadjective

1.
strongclassical
Describing someone who is strong, powerful, or firm in their constitution or character.
2.
sturdyclassical
Referring to something that is robust and well-built.

وقد كنت كنتيا فأصبحت عاجنا — And I was strong, and became one who kneads (i.e., weak) —

كانِيٌّadjective

1.
strongclassical
Describing someone who is strong, powerful, or firm in their constitution or character.

كَنَتَverb

1.
to be submissiveclassical
To act in a humble or submissive manner.
2.
to be contentclassical
To be satisfied or pleased with something.

اِكْتَنَتَverb

1.
to be submissiveclassical
To act in a humble or submissive manner.
2.
to be contentclassical
To be satisfied or pleased with something.

فاكتنت لا تك عبدا طائرا — So be submissive, do not be a fleeting slave —

اِكْتِنَاتٌnoun

1.
submissionclassical
The act of being submissive or humble.
2.
contentmentclassical
The state of being satisfied or pleased.

كُنَيْتٌnoun

1.
waterskinclassical
A waterskin, particularly one that is well-made or sealed.

وسقاء كنيت — and a sealed waterskin —

حَشَنَverb

1.
to be badclassical
To be of poor quality or unpleasant.

كَنَتَverb

1.
to be badclassical
To be of poor quality or unpleasant.

كُنْتَنِيٌّadjective

1.
bigclassical
Describing someone who is large or of significant stature.

وما كنت كنتيا وما كنت عاجنا وشر الرجال الكنتني وعاجن — And I was not strong, nor was I one who kneads, and the worst of men is the big one and the one who kneads —

Parallel reading

يقال: كنت فلان (في خلقه) ، وكان في خلقه، أي (قوي)

It is said: 'Kunta fulan (fi khalqihi), wa kana fi khalqihi', meaning (he was strong).

القوي (الشديد)

The strong (the severe).

وقد كنت كنتيا فأصبحت عاجنا

And I was strong, and became one who kneads (i.e., weak).

وشر رجال الناس كنت وعاجن

And the worst of men are the strong one and the one who kneads.

فأصبحت كنتيا وأصبحت عاجنا

And I became strong, and I became one who kneads.

وشر خصال المرء كنت وعاجن

And the worst traits of a person are strength and kneading (weakness).

يقول: إذا قام اعتجن أي عمد على كرسوعه

He says: If he stands, he leans on his elbow, meaning he supports himself on his elbow.

الكنتي (: الكبير)

Al-Kunti: (the big one).

إذا ما كنت ملتمسا لرزق فلا تصرخ بكنتي كبير

If you are seeking sustenance, do not cry out with my 'kunti' (strength/size), O big one.

وما كنت كنتيا وما كنت عاجنا

And I was not strong, nor was I one who kneads.

وشر الرجال الكنتني وعاجن

And the worst of men are the big one and the one who kneads.

الاكتنات: الخضوع

Al-Iktinat: Submission.

الاكتنات: الرضا

Al-Iktinat: Contentment.

مستضرع ما دنا منهن مكتنت بالعرق مجتلما ما فوقه فنع

Humble, when he approached them, submitting with sweat, his flesh cut by the shears, what was above him was abundant.

فاكتنت لا تك عبدا طائرا

So be submissive, do not be a fleeting slave.

وسقاء كنيت

And a sealed waterskin.

وقد كنت السقاء، (كفرح: حشن)

And the waterskin was bad, (as in 'faraha': it was bad).