This is a simple guide to the 10 Arabic verb forms, often called ‘measures’ or awzan (أَوْزَان).
In Western dictionaries like the Hans Wehr, these verb patterns are labeled with Roman numerals I to X. Below is a clear overview of each form and its primary meaning.
Form I
| فَعَلَ, فَعِلَ ,فَعُلَ | fa‘ala, fa‘ila, fa‘ula |
➤ Primary meaning of the root.
Form II
| فَعَّلَ | fa‘‘ala |
➤ Strengthens the meaning of a I-verb; or makes it transitive or causative.
Form III
| فَعَّلَ | fā‘ala |
➤ Strengthens the meaning of a I-verb; or makes it transitive or causative.
Form IV
| أَفْعَلَ | ’af‘ala |
➤ Makes a I-verb transitive or causative; may strengthen a I-verb.
Form V
| تَفَعَّلَ | ’af‘ala |
➤ Reflexive or passive meaning of a II-verb; may intensify a I-verb (very rare).
Form VI
| تَفاعَلَ | tafā‘ala |
➤ Reflexive form of a III-verb.
Form VII
| اِنْفَعَلَ | infa‘ala |
➤ Reflexive or passive meaning of a I-verb.
Form VIII
| اِفْتَعَلَ | ifta‘ala |
➤ Reflexive or passive meaning of a I-verb. Similar to VII.
Form IX
| اِفْعَلَّ | if‘alla |
➤ Referring to colours or physical deficiencies.
Form X
| اِسْتَفْعَلَ | istaf‘ala |
➤ Expresses a wish or desire; could express the reflexive form of type IV; could also denote: to regard/consider something as…
