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ءن م

Root entry · 3 derived lemmas

This root primarily concerns the particle 'am' (أم), which functions as an interrogative particle, often introducing a choice or doubt, and can also carry meanings of 'or', 'rather', or even be considered an emphatic particle in certain contexts. It is frequently contrasted with 'bal' (بل) and 'hal' (هل).

Derived headwords

أمparticle
  1. 1.
    orboth

    Used to present alternatives in a question or statement, implying doubt or a choice between two possibilities.

  2. 2.
    ratherclassical

    Used to correct or clarify a previous statement, introducing a more accurate or preferred alternative, similar to 'bal'.

  3. 3.
    is it thatclassical

    Used in rhetorical questions or to introduce a statement that is being questioned or challenged.

  4. 4.
    indeedclassical

    Used as an emphatic particle, sometimes preceding 'hal', to introduce a question or statement with added emphasis.

  5. 5.
    plusclassical

    Used in certain dialects, particularly among the people of Yemen, as a particle equivalent to 'al-' (ال).

هلparticle
  1. 1.
    is it?both

    A particle used to pose a question, often seeking confirmation or information.

بلparticle
  1. 1.
    ratherboth

    Used to introduce a correction, clarification, or a stronger statement, often negating what came before.

  2. 2.
    butboth

    Used to introduce a contrasting idea or statement.

Parallel reading

بل يقين وما بعد أم مظنون
Certainty follows 'bal', and what follows 'am' is presumed.
هل زيد منطلق أم عمر
Is Zayd departing or is 'Umar?
إنما أضربت عن سؤالك عن انطلاق زيد وجعلته عن عمر
I have only refrained from asking about Zayd's departure and made it about 'Umar.
أم معها ظن واستفهام وإضراب
And 'am' is accompanied by assumption, interrogation, and refraining.
كذبتك عينك أم رأيت بواسط غلس الظلام من الرباب خيالا
Did your eye lie to you, or did you see in Wasit, in the dimness of darkness, a phantom from the clouds?
آلم تنزيل الكتاب لا ريب فيه من رب العالمين أم يقولون افتراه
Alif, Lam, Meem. (This is) the revelation of the Book about which there is no doubt, from the Lord of the worlds. Or do they say, 'He invented it'?
بل هو الحق من ربك
Rather, it is the truth from your Lord.
الخير أحب إليك أم الشر
Is good more beloved to you, or is evil?
هل لك قبلنا حق أم أنت رجل معروف بالظلم
Do you have a right over us, or are you a man known for injustice?
فوالله ما أدري أسلمى تغولت أم النوم أم كل إلى حبيب
By God, I do not know if it was Salma who appeared, or sleep, or all turned to a beloved.
أم عندك غداء حاضر
Do you have a meal ready?
أم هل عندك عمرو
Is 'Amr with you?
أم هل كبير بكى لم يقض عبرته إثر الأحبة يوم البين مشكوم
Or did a grown man weep, his tears not having been shed, after his loved ones on the day of separation, afflicted?
أبا مالك هل لمتني مذ حضضتني على القتل أم هل لامني منك لائم
O Abu Malik, did you blame me when you urged me to fight, or did any blamer blame me from you?
يا دهن أم ما كان مشيي رقصا
O الدهناء, was my walking a dance?
ليس من امبر أمصيام في امسفر
It is not from righteousness to fast while traveling.