Arabic verb forms – Hans Wehr system

In Western Arabic dictionaries, such as Hans Wehr, Arabic verb forms are labeled with Roman numerals I to X. While I use this method, it can be unfamiliar to Arabic native speakers. Here’s a brief overview to clarify what is meant by an I-verb or the I-form.

Form I

‎‎فَعَلَ, فَعِلَ ,فَعُلَfa‘ala, fa‘ila, fa‘ula

➤ Primary meaning of the root.


Form II

فَعَّلَfa‘‘ala

➤ Strengthens the meaning of a I-verb; or makes it transitive or causative.


Form III

فَعَّلَfā‘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

تَفاعَلَtafā‘ala

➤ Reflexive form of a III-verb.


Form VII

اِنْفَعَلَinfa‘ala

➤ Reflexive or passive meaning of a I-verb.


Form VIII

اِفْتَعَلَifta‘ala

➤ Reflexive or passive meaning of a I-verb. Similar to VII.


Form IX

اِفْعَلَّif‘alla

➤ Reflexive meaning of a II-verb (referring to colours or physical deficiencies).


Form X

اِسْتَفْعَلَistaf‘ala

➤ Expresses a wish or desire; could express the reflexive form of type IV; could also denote: to regard/consider something as…