Arabic word sheet
شَيْءٌ
Thing, something
- Type
- noun
- Root
- ش ي ء
Meaning and usage
Thing, something
The most general word there is: whatever exists or can be spoken of, an object, a fact or an idea. Depending on the sentence it is “a thing”, “something” or “anything”.
وَضَعَ سَامِي شَيْئًا فِي الْحَقِيبَةِ.
Sami put something in the bag.
A little, some
Followed by “of”, it means a small amount or a certain degree of something: “a little”, “somewhat”.
فِي الشَّايِ شَيْءٌ مِنَ السُّكَّرِ.
There is a little sugar in the tea.
Plural
أَشْيَاءُ
Word family
What the root means ش ي ء
The root carries the idea of wanting. A “thing” is first what one wants or has in view, then anything one can speak of; from it come “to want”, “will” and “a little thing”.
to want, to will
شَاءَ
will
مَشِيئَةٌ
a little thing
شُيَيْءٌ
Synonyms
matter, affair
أَمْرٌ
It names a matter or a situation rather than an object one can touch.